Hi,
is ther anybody out there using thumbrests for their low whistles? Made me some for my Low D today and it seems to help relax the fingers while playing.
Cheers,
brotherwind
Usually I don’t, but lately I’ve been thinking about some sort of thumb cushioning. Of what did you make yours? Photos?
Slán
As I said in another post, it seems that the thumbrests are making my thumbs number and stiffer ;/
Susato includes them on all their whistles. They must be on to something. I don’t need them on the upper keys. I do find them very helpful with the larger whistles - from G on down to Lo D, and sometimes an A or B if the tube is very large. My hands can concetrate on reaching the holes without concern for grip or balance.
One thing you can try is putting several turns of a rubber band around the barrel of the whistle where your thumb rests (hopefully not over a hole!). This isn’t really a rest, but it gives a bit of friction which helps hold the whistle. And if you don’t like it, you can take it right off with no damage to the whistle.
I used the cork from a bottle of wine. First I cut a slice of approx. 1cm with a very sharp knife and then drew the outline of the whistle on the flat side. Then I cut off most of the cork to get a seimilunar shaped piece with 1cm thickness. I took double sided adhesive tape and glued the cork to the “to me” right position. Then I fin tuned the cork again with a very sharp skalpell to round the edge somewhat. I had to reposition the cork once.
Here are some pictures:
What are your thoughts about it?
Just forgot to mention, that there are actually two thumbrests visible. The upper one for my left hand is a little smaller though and the weight is carried mostly by the right hands thumb in the lower position.
Cheers
Hello whistlers. Jim Rementer gave me the heads up on this topic. I’ve recently fashioned a thumb rest for my own Low D. I’ve been playing it for longer streaches with my group Ceol Mor and at sessions. I had noticed the Right/ lower thumb wearing out after an hour or so. And the right hand as a whole. clenching to support the whistle. I thought there was enough stess with the streach that, to add supporting the whistle, cramped the right hand ease of movement. A couple of years ago, I tried a leather sling for the rt thumb but wanted something more perminent. So, I made a lovely curved rest, 1/2" wide and about 3/4" dia. Much like I’ve seen on Saxophones. It is soft soldered on. Other whistlers and pipers I’ve shown it to thought it was quite an improvement. The trick will be in custom fitting to the owner. Then again that may not be nessesary. I’m looking forward to see where this topic goes. All the best, Michael Copeland
Michael’s post reminded me… I went to a local woodwind repair shop a few years back and bought a Sax thumb rest and epoxied it onto a low whistle. It worked like a charm. If you’re going to do anything as permanent as using epoxy, be SURE where you want that rest! Experiment by fixing it in place temoporarily with tape, rubber bands etc until you’re certain of the best spot. Only then, glue it.
Paul, that was on your Copeland right? I think I remember it from last July.
I’ve used a Susato thumbrest of appropriate diameter on my Burke low D (old style) nearly since I got the whistle; these rests will likely only work well on cylindrical whistles.
If folks are concerned about precise placement of a saxophone-type thumbrest, you can get them so they’re adjustable - although rather expensive to put on a whistle: