I’ve been checking whistle sites for an F whistle when it occurred to me that there may be a Low F and a Regular (whatever that is" F. Is there a point at which one would call a whistle Low? OR is the F key a low whistle by default?
BillG
there is an “F” whistle which is above the pitch of the “D” and also one below. I suspect the one below is the one considered a low whistle.
This question was settled at the Chiff & Fipple Standard Whistle Terminology Summit that was held in Geneva in 1997. This agreement was hammered out over 9 days, in spite of frequent protests by Finland. The standard terminology is below. I’m not including ALL the available keys:
“High” whistles, from highest down: (When no “High” or “Low” designation appears, one assumes the whistle in question is a high whistle.)
(High) G
(High) F
(High) Eb
(High) E
D (the standard whistle)
C (not related to the popular beverage)
Bb
(Low) A (the Low designation is optional)
Low G
Low F
Low Eb
Low E
Low D
Low C
Low Bb
Double Low A
(which is really as low as anyone dare go)
Ok, then.
Dale
Yoweeeee Zounddddssss – Oye think oyve gottit now.
Thanx, BillG
In music terms:
(High) G
(High) F = sopranino
(High) Eb
(High) E
D (the standard whistle) = soprano
C = soprano
Bb
(Low) A = mezzo-soprano
Low G
Low F = alto
Low Eb
Low E
Low D = tenor
Low C
Low Bb
Double Low A = bass
~ Thornton
I believe it is often said that
the first low whistle is a low G.
I think that’s what the above means,
really.
I agree, jim, that, really, the low whistles begin at G. One practical reason for that is that although the A whistle is often called “Low” there is no “high” A. Highest key that has both a high instrument (albeit rather rare and of limited usefulness) and a low instrument.
That makes sense, Dale. The high G
is barely playable for me, cause
my fingers are touching each other.
I can’t imagine a higher whistle
playable by non-elves.
I also confess, less rationally,
that the low G is the first whistle
that actually feels like a low whistle
to me–it has the heft and sound
of a different sort of creature from
anything higher, the beginning of
the bigger beasts.
Double Low A
(which is really as low as anyone dare go)
Ok, then.Dale
Ok, I dare. Dale knows about this also.
The secret is out.
Whistles below low-low-A.
The Basswhistle - 6 holes controlled by lever keys. As of Dec. 16 2001, the basswhistle prototype played its first C major scale.
This whistle plays one octave below a Low-C whistle - it is about 4 foot long.
[ This Message was edited by: Daniel_Bingamon on 2001-12-17 19:28 ]
Oh no! It’s “Frankenwhistle!!!”
No offence, but isn’t that a tad excessive? Why not just buy a tuba or contra-bass clarinet (those things are also quite odd looking…) or something???
[ This Message was edited by: TelegramSam on 2001-12-17 19:34 ]
Excessive, yeah. But that don’t matter.
I wanted a really low whistle - besides it’s much cheaper than the equivalent “Great Bass” recorder that I always wanted.
It’s also a learning experience - working with big fipples - they’re very challenging in getting to sound, maybe the things I learn from them can apply to small whistles - that or I could build a pipe organ.
I you notice the floor tiles in the picture, 12 inches each for a reference to it’s size.
I’m putting the information on the Basswhistle group at yahoogroups.com if anyone is interested.
On 2001-12-17 19:48, Daniel_Bingamon wrote:
Excessive, yeah. But that don’t matter.
See, that’s why I love Daniel Bingamon.
Dale
Now there’s something you just don’t see every day!
Daniel, Hats off to you for taking a whack at the keyed flute thing, very interesting indeed.
Question: Did you make the keys yourself, use something prefabricated, or a combination of both?
Loren
Daniel,
you must feel like Edward Scissorhands with that beast!
Does it come with a Government Health Warning?
Daniel,
Please don’t play it anywhere near the San Andreas fault… at least till I can buy some cheap future beachfront property…
Geez, dat’s a beautiful ting! as
they say in the movies.
I live in Ohio so only those of you who live along the New Madrid fault are in danger.
Handling is a bit strange but easier to reach than a typical Low-D.
I made the levers from square hobby brass tubing (K&S brand) and the pivots are made from the “universal joint” of those little remote control cars that they sell at the hobby shop. The ones the have a 1/4" gap. The keys are pieces of PVC and the fingerpads are strips of brass soldered into place.
I’m working on instructions for anyone else that wants to build one.