Well, I have resisted long enuff. I NEED a good low-D.
BUT, my fingers are short. Real short. Real real short. So short that I can’t reach the last hole on a Susato low D. I can just reach a Howard, but the thing sounded like I was playing on a coke bottle with some stale coca-cola still in it.
Any suggestions? The angle-headed Susato? The Dixon? Kerry? A different Howard?
How about getting someone to put the holes where I can reach them? Anyone had any luck with “custom” whistles? Anyone have experience with the various makers?
How about return policies? Much as I hate to “buy and try”, how else can I sample what fits and what doesn’t?
The Dixon Low D has a fairly moderate gap - unless your hands are really tiny, you should be able to manage it (I can play it with my normal fingering, not pipers grip, and I have fairly short fingers)
I believe the Serpent Low D has an easy reach, too.
Or if you don’t need to play with others, you might want a mid-range low whistle, like a G or F.
FWIW, I have a Dixon Low D and the Serpent Low F and spend most of my playing time on the F. I’ve also heard others on the board claim that the Overton Low F is a thing of wonder - there’s something magical (IMHO) about that key.
Return policies will be easier obtained if you get Merikun whistles from the USA, or European within Europe, for customs and shipping prices reasons.
Now, for really easy reach on Low D’s, I’d think first of:
(within USA)
a standard Copeland. Amazingly easy, eventhough the F# hole is rather big. You don’t have them fingers skinny-bony as well as short, do you?
Never played it, but Reyburn has a low D specifically designed to use the pinkie instead of the ring finger, which considerably extends a hand’s reach. I only heard good reviews on the sound of Reyburns.
3?) I hear Burke has an “E-Z reach”, but I don’t know how easy it is, the standard one having a reputation for a pretty large pattern.
(within Europe)
Wood: Phil Bleazey, Yvon Le Coant. Not only these have a short reach but can easily be played with the fingertips with most hands. Small holes, too.
Secure try and buy, since both exhibit at St-Chartier Festival–their booths actually face each other. And Swayne’s on the next block. Now, that’s mid-July…
Metal: Alba, if you ask her to make sure of easy reach. She makes her Low C an easier reach than many Low Ds…
Also, I hear Colin Goldie makes a special short reach Low D Overton, now. And he’ll listen to every customer individually.
Let’s count: 4 to 2.5… Europe wins
Alternative choice (any continent): a Low F whistle
The susato is a bit of a beast when it comes to
the stretch. I wouldn’t generalize from your experience
there. In addition, lots of people have initial
difficulties with low D stretches. That you
can manage the Howard but with some difficulty
is promising. There is the real possibility that
you will be able to play these whistles without
difficulty if you keep at it.
I suggest that you stay with the Howard for
awhile and see what happens. You know
these things do take some time. And
people often think the problem is
their hands. best
I can only speak to three. The Dixon and Overton are both shorter reach than a Susato, but I still have to use a piper’s grip on both. I dn’t have particularly small hands, but I do have rather short, thick fingers.
You might think about a low G. It’ll play the same scale but is significantly easier on reach.
the first thing i’d look for in buying a whistle is sound samples
if i couldn’t play a low D, i’d go smaller. no matter what key it was in, i’d buy the best sounding whistle.
i listen with my heart when i hear sound samples and i can breath in this sound from every direction when i like a whistle. it’s personal taste.
have a listen below when you feel really good and relaxed
after this it’s time to find your biggest comfortable stretch in the brand you like.
