Hi, I’m new to this board - and fairly new to whistle playing, too. I’ve just acquired a Susato Kildare Low G, which came with a handy thumbrest… but I can’t quite figure out how to use this (sorry if that’s an extremely dumb thing to say), and cannot find a picture of one in action. I do find that my right thumb aches after a while of playing without the rest.
Grateful for any advice!
Hi, welcome …
The thumbrest simply snaps on. But use care, because the thumbrest plastic is somewhat brittle and can easily break. Position it on the whistle where your bottom thumb normally rests, behind the B1-B2 holes.
Or leave it off. Susato like to promote their thumbrests, and they include one with every whistle. But a G whistle is small/light enough that it certainly doesn’t require a thumbrest with proper support. I know no one personally who actually uses one. If your thumb is aching, then your grip on the whistle is far too tight. Relax.
See this recent thread for info on proper support:
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/a-beginner-question-about-anchoring-and-cuts/71170/1
I leave the thumbrest on but pushed all the way to the bottom of the whistle, where it serves as a convenient “flange” to keep the whistle from rolling on a table. Its best use, IMO. 
Thank you very much - that other thread is interesting (slightly overwhelming right now, as I’d not even consciously thought about anchoring as something active). I find that the only way I can use the thumbrest is by resting my thumb on the thin end of it, which gives me a better distance and angle for my hand - but after a while it digs in. Which shows that you’re probably right about me gripping too tight.
I agree with the guru, get rid of the thumbrest. I’ve only seen this on susato whistles. Love the whistles, hate the thumb rest! Is there anyone out there that actually use thumbrests and why?
I have two Susato d whistles from about 1978, prior to them stopping making whistles, redesigning and reintroducing the new models. They had a thumb rest which was glued into the plastic body. They were in the way of where I place my thumb and had to be cut off. I never saw a need for a thumb rest. Best to get used to playing without them IMNSFHO.
I use it on my Susato low D. I find it keeps me more relaxed while playing.
I have a Susato Bb with the removable thumb rest. When I bought it, it was turned around to the front… so this gave me an idea, I now use it to hold my gum during intense solos.
Yes, I know players (including myself, I suppose) who sometimes use additional support with the low D, either a strap or thumb support, as is common practice with vertical instruments of this size and possibly weight: tenor recorder, clarinet, oboe, etc.
Aha. Let me guess, Anyanka … You are trying to play the bottom holes with the tips of your fingers. That explains why you feel the need to use the tip of the thumbrest to put more distance between your thumb and the tube.
Instead, try switching to piper’s grip on the bottom hand. This will instantly solve your distance and tension problem. Really!
It’s also a handy hook for your car keys, Olympic medals, and colorful Mardi Gras beads.
Thanks very much - I’ll try that. I played the recorder for 10 years or so as a child/teenager, so I’m still a bit stuck on the fingertip thing…