In a few hours I should have a Shaw whistle in A arriving… should I use the piper’s grip or play it like I have played my soprano Ds? In what key do most people begin to change their grip?
I’d say go by feel. Depends on the size of your hands, on what stretch is comfortable for you. I switch to piper’s grip sometimes even for my C or Bb whistles, because the RH lower holes feel like too much of a stretch.
It’ll definitely take some time to get used to the change. Have fun!
Jennie
I use piper grip on the shaw a because the bottom hole is too far too reach comfortably otherwise.
Second that you should feel what is best for you. I only play pipers grip on my Low D’s, I don’t own any middle range (say Low E to Low G) whistles so I don’t really know where my limits are. On my Syn A I play normal grip, on my Susato A (which I rarely use after recieving the Syn set) I normaly use a piperish sort of grip, not really pipers but almost, because the holes are big and spaced pretty far on the bottom hand.
I try to play normal grip whenever possible, beacause I feel it’s easier to get quick response and higher sensitivity, but when I feel that it becomes uncomfortable or hard to hit the holes accurately I switch to pipers grip.
If one felt it necessary she or he could play soprano D with pipers’ grip. I know people who play low D (and low C) with normal fingering. It’s all relative. 
I’ve been trying the pipers grip for a day now,and slowly but surely it’s starting to take shape 
I piper everything, to some extent, from high D to low D. On high D and C I have a largely inactive pinky, but starting with Bb I must pinky the last hole.
Once I had to learn piper’s, for my low D, I found that it was more comfortable for me then fingertips regardless of whistle size.
I’m a firm advocate of each pair of hands/whistle combo finding its individual best fit, regardless of what the books say.
this is so individual. there can be no rule. its the size of your hands, the diameter of the instrument, and even the anatomy of the holes. for example, i pipergrip my copeland low d, but when i try to pipergrip my overton G, the holes do not close well so i fingertip it. i fingertip my olwell bamboo low D (with the grip recommended by gary larson) but my tipple in the same key, because it is slightly larger in diameter, does better with a piper grip.
meir
this is so individual. there can be no rule. its the size of your hands, the diameter of the instrument, and even the anatomy of the holes. for example, i pipergrip my copeland low d, but when i try to pipergrip my overton G, the holes do not close well so i fingertip it. i fingertip my olwell bamboo low D (with the grip recommended by gary larson) but my tipple in the same key, because it is slightly larger in diameter, does better with a piper grip.
meir
And a word of caution: don’t be too discouraged if piper’s grip feels “wrong” or difficult. When I got my first low whistle (a Dixon Low D Duo with both whistle and flute heads) I tried piper’s grip and gave up on it, since it was possible for me to play the Dixon with my fingertips.
My next low whistle was a Serpent Low F, again a very easy reach.
Then came a Howard Low D I borrowed from blackhawk - shock and horror: there was no way I could play this thing - the fingerholes were huge and the reach was too long.
Piper’s grip hurt my fingers, and I couldn’t seal the holes (I have fairly broad palms, but short skinny fingers) - I figured I’d never be able to play a “real” Low D like the Howard or an Overton. But I loved the sound, and I’m stubborn, so I kept on trying. And somehow made the adjustment.
Now, although it requires a bit more attention (for one thing, holes seal WORSE, not better, when you gip too tightly, and I tend to tighten up without noticing it), I prefer piper’s grip for everything below my low A (a Serpent Sunsinger) - it’s both easier on my hands and (I think) a bit faster. And I ended up liking the Howard Low D enough I bought it - my Dixon gets played almost exclusively as a flute these days.
The tricks? Relax - the tighter you grip, the more likely you’ll have an air leak somewhere. Adjust the angle of your hands until you’re comfortable - it may take a while to learn the best position. And (this may be a personal thing) don’t put you thumbs opposite your index finger - for me, it works much better when the thumbs are opposite the middle finger.
Mostly, just keep on practicing.
My own experience showed that I was too lax with my fingers and did not cover the holes cleanly. I had to concentrate on getting the proper strength in my thumbs and fingers to slap down on the holes on the low D to produce clean notes. For me it wasnt a tension issue at all, but “body building”.
I also favor tunable whistles since I play out the side of my mouth and I can pivot the body of the thing to accommodate my hands more comfortably. This is a subject I cover in-depth in my soon-to-be-released Smoot’s Comprehensive Review of the Kerry Whistle.
Pipers grip has the advantage of not dropping the whistle when playing C#
Brian
No it doesn’t! That’s just plain silly.
I actually use the pipers grip on every whistle I play. But I do agree that the grip is up to each individual.
No it doesn’t! That’s just plain silly.
No it doesn’t! That’s just plain silly.
No it doesn’t! That’s just plain silly.
Woooo plain silly am I. well here is my defence your worship.
With pipers grip my pinky can stay fixed on the tube at all times thus helping fingers find holes and in particular keeping a secure grip when playing c# ie all fingers off. Without pipers grip when playing E my pinky is no where near the tube and if c# follows oh deary me dropping danger.
The case for the defence rests. 
Brian
Nico, did you aspirate a bit of nitrous today?