I’m very interested in the whistle since I have such a difficult time with the stretch on low d whistles.
I do like the Susato sound and intonation - my favorite whistle is a susato Kildare high d - ( , sorry to all the Susato haters), and I am sorely tempted by this low D whistle with keys.
If you’ve had experience with this whistle please chime in!
I have keyless Susatos in Low E, Low E flat, Low D, and Low C, and I like how they perform. To me the finger stretch of the Low D and Low C are quite comfortable. (They both have angled tops which I like.)
I was at a shop recently that had a keyed Susato Low D and I tried it- I found the keys strange/funky/difficult to play. I suppose that somebody could get used to them if they had to, but they’re not my cup of tea.
I used to have the low D with keys… It makes the “stretch” very manageable and the tone is actually quite nice. The problem, for me, was the noise the keys made while playing. If you have no other option due to some sort of injury, go with the keys, but I think anyone can play any low D (barring hand injury) with practice. If the stretch is too much, use your right-hand little-finger to cover the R3 hole - the guy in the group I sit in with does this (quite well, I might add).
I have keyless Susatos in Low E, Low E flat, Low D, and Low C, and I like how they perform. To me the finger stretch of the Low D and Low C are quite comfortable. (They both have angled tops which I like.)
Pancelticpiper, How did you manage to get a Susato low C without keys ?
I was interested in getting one, but they only sell it with keys. I wrote them asking if I could get one without keys directly from the factory, and they answered that they do not sell it withoout keys because it would be unplayable.
I got that low C quite a while ago- probably when Susato first started making them.
I was at the Pleasanton Highland Games and the Hobgoblin booth had Susato Low D’s, both straight and angled, and the Low C angled, all keyless. Perhaps this was before Susato began putting keys on whistles. Anyhow I bought two Low D’s, one straight, one angled, and a Low C. (Later I bought an E flat body for the straight Low D head.)
I don’t know why Susato is saying the keyless Low C is unplayable, because the fingerhole placement is pretty much the same as the Low D, pretty much the same as all Low D’s from any maker. Actually the finger stretch on that Susato Low C is less than many Low D’s I’ve played.
I love the sound of that Low C…it’s the most expressive whistle I own in my opinion. It plays much better than the Susato Low D’s I have. Don’t know why.
Oh, oh, I think I see a Kerry low D and a Burke low at the far left there. The Burke appears to have smaller holes. Is it any easier to play? Any differences in sound?
, sorry to all the Susato haters), and I am sorely tempted by this low D whistle with keys.
The Burke appears to have smaller holes. Is it any easier to play? Any differences in sound?