Hello everyone…this is my first post! I recently purchased the Dixon “Duo” High D set and I have to say that I really love it! While listening to some tunes, I found that some go up to a third octave D. Its achievable on my whistle, but it is REALLY loud and a bit obnoxious sounding. Are inexpensive whistles meant to play this octave? I feel like I read somewhere that most inexpensive whistles play 2 octaves only. Any info would help!!! Thanks!
My Oak will go into the 3rd octave pretty well.
If you can find a really good Generation, they are good at it.
Best whistle I have for 3rd octave is Burke AlPro D, but it’s definitely not a cheapie.
–James
The two octaves go D E F# G A B C# d e f# g a b c# d’, so there are actually three Ds, but anything above c# is usually very piercing on a lot of whistles, cheapies and otherwise.
My hoover SB is very tolerable on those notes, as is my Clarke original. The Susato, I haven’t even attempted it and I will never attempt it.
WELCOME!!!
They definitely come more obnoxious than the Dixon. Third octave D is nothing special, AFAIK all whistles will do that. Depending on the whistle, OXXOOO or OXXXXX may sound better. OXXOOX is another possibility.
I agree with James that the Oak may be the best inexpensive whistle for the third octave.
Something else to consider may be where you play – a dead (or large) room is an absolute must if you have sensitive ears and want to play into the third octave.
Or outside.
I agree on the Clarke original, by the way: a good Clarke is a very fine whistle in all respects.
If you’re learning 3rd octave tunes, outside is good, and I’d also recommend hearing protection.
I agree a Susato isn’t the whistle to take into the 3rd octave.
–James
Elfsongs are kind of between inexpensive and pricey, but they play beautifully into the 3rd octave (and everywhere else) and are definitly worth the extra dollars.
On my Oaks, I can play three A’s. That’s only good if someone in the room is really bugging you, and you’d like to clear them out.
JP
Quote @ Soineanta
Elfsongs are kind of between inexpensive and pricey, but they play beautifully into the 3rd octave (and everywhere else) and are definitly worth the extra dollars.
Elfsongs are nice in that regard, I agree, but the Hoover SB is by far the quietest third octave D whistle I’ve ever heard. Goes much higher than d’ but I don’t usually need those notes. And the Hoover SB costs $55 or so, whereas the Elfsong is more. The Hoover is very sensitive to breath pressure, though.
I’m thinking I need to get another Oak because mine doesn’t go up to the third D nicely at all. It’s just average-ish.
The Hoover Whitecap also goes into the 3rd octave without breaking windows. The mouthpiece only (fits any standard Generation/Feadóg/Clare/Oak-Acorn type body) was $20 when I got mine a few months ago, but prices may have changed some since then, I haven’t really kept up with it.
hi ladyceres, you’re very welcome!!
i never play up in the third octave. and i don’t think there’s many tunes that go up there.
i don’t even know if there is any in irish trad.music 
The only time I’ve ever played in the 3rd octave is to scare away some yowling stray tomcats out in my yard at 4 a.m. Worked like a charm!
(Caution may cause severe hearing loss and/or brain damage) 
What does that do for your relationship with the neigbours? 
There are a couple of Dubliners songs where the whistle section goes way up into the 3rd octave, Holy Ground is one that springs to mind. I recommend that if you want to play a tune that has a lot of 3rd octave notes, play them very staccato, almost as a cut note, or use a good quality low D.
Jetboy