Hi everyone,
I’d like to buy a low D whistle, but the problem is that I have very small hands. Do you know which models have a comfortable tonehole spacing and aren’t horribly expensive (I’m a total beginner and I’m looking for a “student” whistle)? I’ve heard that Chieftans are quite good for small-handed people, but I’d like to hear your opinion. And what about Dixons?
Thanks
Firu
hoover prob makes one of the best lowDs in terms of stretch, it’s a very quiet whistle, maybe not suitable for sessions. the dixon was my first lowD, stretch is comfy, but if you don’t use the pipers’ grip your hand may cramp up, especially the right (lower) hand.
welcome:-)
i’d go for a dixon non-tunablen no doubt http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/prices.html#opw
but use pipers grip http://www.chiffandfipple.com/low.html
Firu: Please ensure that you learn the piper’s grip, right from the beginning. My hands are not at all large, but with that grip, I can handle all the low D’s I have tried.
When you purchase, try to ensure that your new whistle allows the lowest hole to ‘turn’ into a comfortable position for your hand.
I concur with Amar that Mack Hoover makes a very playable low D, and that it is very quiet. My Burke Viper is very easy to handle, has a really solid low end, and sounds good over 2+ octaves.
Good luck in your search.
Byll
i think i would prefere the sound of a hoover low D aswell(taste is personal),
but since you live in Poland, and are look for bottom prices,
i presume there’ll be income tax charged to you on anything you buy in america.
that’s why i proposed the dixon tenor non-tunable.
have a listen here http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/index.htm
Thank you very much for your help, it cleared things a bit:)
My easiest to reach low d is a jubilee low d with a key for the 6th hole. I’m not too wild about the key though. Shaws are also very good for small reach.
You might want to go to the jubilee site and look at thier 18dollar practice low d whistle. It has small reach, and will give you an idea of what playing a low d would be like. I seem to remember that they were going to make the practice whistle easier on breath requirements. Mine took a huge volume of air, till I found a way to tweak it.
I was real conserned about reach befor I got into low d’s. I quickly found out learning piper grip wasn’t that big a deal like I thought it was gonna be. I like using it on anything remotely big enough now.
Ronaldo Reyburn makes very nice low whistles. You can order them with a standard hole pattern or with an offset hole pattern that makes it easier for people with small hands.
get a flute!