Interestingly enough, I am going to Lark in the Morning (the San Fran branch) in about a week to do some major whistle shopping. I am going to be looking for a low d whistle and some other whistles in various keys. I have played the wooden flute (B flat) off and on for a while, the one I own I received from mother on a trip to the east coast. I have been considering getting a wooden flute in d as well when I go there. According to your comments, relying on the personel is not a good idea. What do you guys suggest I get. I am a novice player who is memorizing songs now to play in some pubs down in Southern California. I willing to spend a decent amount of money on some whistles and flutes. What should I get?
Hi, and welcome!
I don’t know jack about wooden flutes (or about the Lark), sorry. But if being taken advantage of has anything to do with coming across as beginner or as an experienced player, I’d suggest you start calling them “tunes” rather than “songs.” Looks like you’ve got plenty of chutzpah, anyway, to judge by your choice of nick.
Best!
It really helps to have an idea of the sound you’re looking for…whistles can vary considerably, and what I like, you may hate (and vice versa). Chiffy? Not so chiffy? Very pure tone? Woodsy tone? Etc. If the store will let you play a few (I’ve never been to Lark, so I don’t know if that’s possible), that’s the route to go.
Another problem with recommending whistles, especially “low-end” whistles, is there appears to be real quality control issues, particularly with certain brands. I could urge you to buy a Generation, based on my happy, long-term relationship with my Gen Eb, but if you happen to get a bad one (and there appear to be plenty of them out there), you’re not going to be very happy with me when you get home 
.
I guess my best advice, especially if you can’t try the whistles you’re considering, is to pick up a variety of inexpensive ones, take them home, play them for a while, decide what you do and don’t like about each and go on from there. Fortunately, at $4-$15 each, low end whistles are affordable enough to make this kind of approach practical…and since there ARE very good low-end instruments, you may just discover your whistle soul mate in the process.
Re keys…I’d get at least a couple of soprano Ds and Cs…not sure what other keys you may need.
As far as low Ds go, I can’t help you. I’ve heard that the Dixon is a good beginner’s low D, but as I’ve never played anything lower than a soprano C, you’ll have to take that as hearsay.
Redwolf
[ This Message was edited by: Redwolf on 2002-11-21 17:20 ]
Thanks for the help Redwolf. No thanks to Bloomfield, maybe next time you can answer the question.
Well, maybe you’re not asking for information from the people most likely to help.
You might go to http://www.woodenflute.com, browse around, and sign up for their e-mail list. There are a lot of high-end flute makers on the list as well as serious Irish flute players who will certainly help you out.
M