The 000 000 Maneuver

Whistle
1

I have been playing my Low D for a few days now and I have noticed something. After a short while I notice I have a serious “DEATH GRIP” on the thing. I mean, it is like I am afraid it will run away. Actually I am afraid I will drop it, especially while trying the death defying 000 000 maneuver.

Any ideas how to overcome this phobia?

Part of it is also trying to properly cover the holes and prevent those equally pesky hissy leaks. But that gets better each time I play.

2

The best thing is to pinch the bottom of the low D between your knees. Works best when you are sitting down, but I do it standing up on stage, too. It does mean that I have to bend over quitea bit, and the placemet of the microphone is awkward. In fact, people tell me I look very silly playing like that. But because of where the mouthpiece is I have to look down anyway, so I don’t see the audience laughing. That makes it all right, I figure. And it’s an absolutely sure way not to drop the whistle. The only problem I found is that after a while the spittle starts running down in side the low D dripping into the back of my shoe.

3

Don’t listen to him. He’s …well, just don’t listen to him.

What sort of low D is this?

4

Just one question…do you face the audience?

5

Bloomfield, thank you for your very descriptive discourse on how to solve my dilema. I am not certain that I would have been able to come up with that on my own. I am not certain ANYONE other than you would have been able to come up with that on their own.

Well, there is Martin, isn’t there! :astonished:


I am certain, knowing what I do about him (even though it is not very much yet), that it would certainly be a toss of the coin as to whether he does or does not. By disclaimer I must admit that I have never seen him perform either.


Jim, it is the Overton I recently picked up from a forum member.

Steven

6

I usually leave the bottom hole covered to support the whistle, when I play ooo ooo, so it is ooo oox. :slight_smile: The rest of the time, your other fingers should be enough to support the whistle. Try practicing for a while sitting on the floor. :slight_smile: That way you can concentrate on keeping your grip loose, while not having to worry if it’s too loose, and dropping the thing on the floor. :slight_smile:

7

Yup, definitely one of the better methods. I also do this on keyless flutes. (On keyed flutes, my little finger rests on the Eb key unless I’m playing the D)

8

I had this phobia at the beginning too.

I can see three cures, the latter being more “placebo” but if it works for you?

  1. play ooo oox or ooo oxx instead of ooo ooo. Good habit anyway.
  2. get from Susato whistles a thumb rest, use it for your right hand. This should help you to losen your grip, and not fear a fall. Also keeps whistles from rolling off the table (and this happens!)…
  3. Use a neck cord, tied up on the whistle with a constrictor knot. With this knot, marine rope won’t slip off the metal.
    A whistle never falls off one hands anyway, but this way you’ll be confident it’s not harmed if it does.
    Marine ropes come in many colours from shipchandlers’, so it can look cool.
    Also, it’s handy to make a whistle swab: knot a marble at one end as a weight, tie the other end to the corner of a handkerchief, ideally made from microfiber such as sold to clean optics.
    Compact, handy, makes you popular at the local session :wink:
9

Second Lark.

10

That way you can also lean the end of it into your leg when you want a low C#.

11

I can think of one place for the mike… :blush: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

12

He did warn it was awkward…

13

:laughing:

14

I cheat. as I drop loads of stuff I have a lump of Blue Tack and my right thumb sinks into it and holds the whistle. ooo ooo is no problem then. :laughing: