Years and years ago I came across (on Usenet) instructions on how to make low D whistles using aluminum curtain rod. I ended up with four of them out of one piece of curtain rod, they sound nice but are oh so hard to play. Problem is getting the holes covered properly. Currently making whistles again, this time out of PVC pipe. The BIG problem (which stopped me when I tried this 4-5 years ago) was getting wood dowels of the right size. Now I have a 3D printer and I can print plastic blocks of the exact right diameter. Made a B-flat one last week, working on a high D now, will probably try a low F in a week or two.
I've been playing the clarinet since 2003, the high D whistle since 2008, and just bought my first low D whistle last night. Should be here soon!! I'm sure the weight and breath support requirement shouldn't be a problem, but I'm nervous now!! 🤪🥰 Update: the low D is so much harder 😭 the paper's grip feels so wrong and my fingers feel so small but I'm getting better!! I will never be cocky again lol
I recently bought my first low D whistle from an Etsy vendor named JohnLawrenceCrafted, from New Zealand. It’s made out of pvc, has offset holes, has a wooden mouthpiece and doesn’t seem to require a lot of air to play. It’s also tuneable! The sound is okay, good enough for learning. Oh, and it was only around $40 US! I am very happy with it :)
I started out as a music major and have had a fair amount of experience on a number of instruments but not on a tin whistle. I got my first three this week. A Clark Sweetone that I've already given away to my son, a feadog Pro(which I keep switching back to, to remind myself how much better the other flute sounds...meaning the Killarney D that I just got in from Ireland. After watching your videos I'm learning to keep an open mind about instruments and I'm enjoying your tutorials and fingering charts immensely! Thank you very very much for growing the world up in this direction. You make the world a better place. Sincerely-Mona in Texas
Played a Low D from Erik the Flutemaker since last year. I do have short fingers. But the pipers grip is so natural I use it on other instruments now. Erik's whistle has offset holes thin wall, so they are easy to feel. One of the cheaper alternatives and once I switched to pipers grip, it's so natural, I may never go back to regular fingering.
Love the tip about marking a price of tube with the hole spacing to see if how accessible the fingering will be! I am going to attempt making a whistle so will try that out beforehand.
I just got a Tony Dixon polymer low D whistle. It’s the first one I’ve owned as I own a few different key tin whistles. The pipers grip is a bit much but I’m working on it. But the sound is absolutely beautiful
Hi, Cuttie great video. I wish I found it couple years ago. But you just recently released it. From my standpoint most critical point for LOW whistle compared to high whistles is breath control, and past experience on woodwinds is highly helpful. I've started 3 years playing on high whistle, then switched to Goldie low D whistle, just because it was accessible to me. What a mistake I made :). I was not able to sound how I like just because I cannot control whistle, while playing on high D without any issues simple melodies. Problem was not stretch, but rather breath control and articulation. So I switched to recorder class and start to attend it in music school, in 1 year I've progressed to point where recorder considered student dead end instrument(I disagree with that, but musical teachers are using recorders only for 1 year of education or then back at conservatory level, when you study baroque music ), and I've been offered to progress on flute, clarinet, or oboe. I've selected clarinet, and INSTANTLY hit breath control issues, because clarinet required deep breathing, and requires way more air. After around 4-5 month I was able to manage my basic sound control using 2 reeds, and realized that I had to learn how to breath from scratch. And also to control my lips and tongue. And then I've picked same Goldie. Oh boy what a sound I get, what projection and sound quality. Same applied to recorder. Clear easy, crisp notes. Breath control changed everything. Now I enjoy low whistle, and started to learn Irish ornamentation based on your videos. Thank you so much. But for beginner proper breathing is most important thing;
I got my MK pro low D in November. Was on a waiting list for a few months to get it. Ordered it as soon as they sent me the back in stock email. It was sold out again within a few hours. Totally worth it.
Spot on advice CP! To- date I have three low-Ds none of which am I happy with - indeed suspect trying to play them has caused me problems ( tenosynovitis) Your suggestion that I try a (CW) lowF polymer whistle has been transformative!! What a wonderful instrument. All the benefits you mention in this video plus the HUGE benefit of an easily attainable second octave ( not only that but a second octave that one can play quietly and with sensitivity!) Certainly higher cost in no way equates with better playability- well not at my level at any rate!! ( which i do find odd as it generally has done with other instruments I have played- like guitars for example) Please keep up these immensely helpful videos!
Once again a very helpful video. My old somewhat arthritic hands have a significant problem with my Tony Dixon low D whistle (chosen after looking at your comparison video). My first one, the TB102 had a wider hole spacing than what I ended up with (the DX102). However, I still have trouble. I'll look into a low F one. Thanks so much!
Stephanie, I purchased an MK low D and I am pleased with it. I wrote back on review and told them it was on your recommendation. Lovely presentation on your channel and very helpful.
Very informative and easy to following tips. One comment I'd like to make when considering purchasing a low D (any whistle) online without trying the whistle first is to ask the maker or vendor about a "Return Policy" if unsatisfied. Yes, it does take practice for the finger stretch and the wind requirement to get an honest feel for the instrument so a return policy after a short trial period would help with final decision on whether to keep the whistle. Another whistle option is to buy and sell keepers and undesirables. Yeah, I'm going to have to put on my CutiePie T-shirts and the whistle kids love'em. Keep doing what you are doing Stephanie and be well.
Hi Stephanie, I've been watching your videos. Thank you for being so inspirational. Could you recommend particular brands for each key I'm looking for: low F, low G, and low D? For low whistles, I'm thrilled if the sound is deep, but clear and less breathy. Thank you and keep up your amazing work!!
CP , you have given some of the best information I have ever heard on the internet as how to actually transform from a high whistle to a low. All the information needed from finger stretch to air requirements. I made the mistake of hearing one of the low whistles and fell in love with the sound. The only problem was attaining that sound. Was I ever surprised! Yes there are many things to consider to get to the capability to be able to play a Low D instrument. Thank you very much for your excellent presentation. Your information is exactly what people need to know.
Thank you, this was very helpful! You've convinced me to look at low F whistles, particularly because I think that key will be more useful for the music I'm intending to make - I'm a pianist and I love playing in G :)
Hi Stephanie, I love your channel and how you deal with haters is amazing! Just got my first low whistle and to be honest I got it after I fell in love with its sound in a folk song. If one day you could record a video of a very short low whistle part of Jarlath Henserson’s Courting is a pleasure that would be fab! I love that tiny piece he plays between two verses but just don’t have time to work it out myself. I’d be forever grateful!
I just ordered a Shearwater alto F based on your recommendation, thanks so much. It will take a month to get to me, but I am excited to get my first "low" whistle. I play a high D, but want to play along more with my daughters singing. I debated on keys but loved the sound of the F. I dont play with other instruments, so this should work well. Love your channel!
Just bought a Low F a couple days ago (F for some Eluveitie songs), it's handmade in aluminum, it'll arrive in 6 days. I started practicing with a Generation Tin Whistle in D since last month, so let's see what happens. Thank you for all your videos!
I have small hands and suffer from arthritis and I thought I'd never be able to play the low whistle. I bought a Kerry Optima Low F 3 years ago to try and train myself to the piper's grip but never really got the hang of it until I got a Chris Wall polymer Low F in January. It's light, the second octave is easy to reach and it sounds very mellow. I have just graduated to a MK Pro Low D and the stretch is not that great from the Low F so I could play it straight away. I will use it with a bottom thumb rest as it is quite heavy being aluminium but I just love its tone and playability. Thank you so much Stephanie for all your good advice and reviews, they have helped me to select the right instruments for me 😁
For beginner I was scared about low D, so I've started with A but cheap whistle, Susato I do no recommend for beginner, tone is not that Irish more recorder like, it is breathy. If you really intended to play low whistle, and you played other instruments. go straight to Dixon low D or Dixo. It will give you that sound you looking for. Then just get MK LOW D and that will. be a single low whistle you need. :) Sold my other low Ds and regretted that I've not invested in it from a start as it was more expensive then 2 hand Goldie I've got. Thank you Cuttie you need to be a promoter for MKs, as you really sold me this whistle and I've never looked back.
Matt K Sadly thats not my experience with a V5 low D! Second octave is very hard to attain and when it is actually reached ( by blowing very hard) it is indeed very loud/ shrill ( enough to bludgeon someone with?!) It is however a very aesthetically pleasing instrument with a great lower octave tone- but " low air requirements" just not the case.
@@hrothgar2002 This is a case with almost other pro low d. Like Mk pro. Man try to understand not by blowing hard instead by air speed. This is crucial. I had same issue with flutes, until I've started playing crarinet. Where air speed in critical.
If it helps in anyone when it comes to choosing your first low D whistle, I went for a Shearwater low D black plastic purely on price. It has become one of my favourite possesions. I knew it had offset holes but didn't realise that that meant that I didn't have to adopt and adapt to a piper's grip. Instead I use the pads on all my fingers, as on the high whistles, but cover the lowest hole, which is offset, with my little finger pad instead of the usual ring finger. This seemed to become a natural thing to do quite readily. I don't have very large hands for a man and doing it that way also avoids any appreciable right hand stretch that using the usual fingers with the piper's grip would entail. With nothing else to compare it with, I can't really comment about the air needed except to say that you probably will have to work at just where to breath in deeply to get through longer phrases. A recomended tune to start with? South Wind, just made for low whistle. Thank you Stephanie for allowing me to share my experience with everyone, but which ever whistle anyone chooses, remember that the only possible reason to pick up any instrument is to enjoy yourself. Oh, and remember you will have to tighten your embouchure, that's to say, purse your lips a little, when you sail up into the the higher register. Stay safe everyone and kind regards Laurence
Very helpful video! I found it while doing a search for reviews on the Dixon Alto A Low Whistle, which I'm considering buying. Thanks to you, I'll definitely check out the manufacturer's hole dimension before I order.
I bought the kerry optima low D and it was only 50 pounds and it sounds great and is as far as I know it is of very good quality and I would definitely recommend it
Hi Stephanie, Love your channel and have 2 request for you. I did a lot of research on Low D whistles and purchased a Mountain Made by Whistle Smith. They are handmade in the state of Main. I am very curious how you would rate it vs the field. It is my first whistle but I also have 3 Quena/Quenachos plus 9 Native American Flutes I made myself so flutes are not strange to me. The second request is if you will do a tutorial on playing "The Song of Ocarina" using a low d whistle.
Have you done a Bb post? My first "low" whistle was a Generation Bb. Finger stretch isn't too different from a D, the holes only a little larger to cover, airflow about the same, while the sound is noticeably lower. It's less money than the louder Susato Bb, though if you save up a few pennies, those are also very very nice (and light), but a good brass/red Generation Bb often sounds better in the second octave, IMHO. A Bb's the same range as Highland pipes of course but I don't recommend a duet! Great post --I love the idea of marking up a cardboard tube to test fingerings before a whistle purchase, that's brilliant.
I have a Susato Bb that features in some videos 😊 there's a review on it wasn't a few other unusual impulse purchases I made 😆 but it's a great whistle.
Can you do a tutorial on how to play Stolen Child by the Waterboys? I think it's a flute I'm hearing so I'm not sure if it's even playable on whistle but it's such a lovely tune! Thanks!
Cp I need your help. I am considering a Low F whistle and wondering since most Irish Music is in Key D how would I be able to play that on the F whistle? Thanks for any help.
Thank you for the advice! I love the sound of low whistles but I don't know if I can actually play one (I have asthma and my lung capacity is well below what it should be). These tips will definitely help me get started when the time comes!
when i bought my first low whistle i also read that its reccommended to choose a smaller one.... but i ignored that advice and just took the lowest key and i didnt have any troubles playing it... the low D plays even easier than the F i bought secondly, i guess it also depends on the quality of the flute ofcourse my whistles are from different makers
my low D is from Kerrywhistles, really happy with it, its one of the models with a plastic mouthpiece. the other one i got from a more local custom instrument maker (in the netherlands) but i think here and there the holes arent really finetuned but overall its not noticable (this flute also has like manufacturing scratch marks, like the guy that made it didnt really care or had a lot of else to do and my custom flute was a too small job for him :/ )
Hello Cutiepie ! Thank you so much for your amazing videos ! My husband and I brought some tin whistles from Ireland and thanks to you we now are both super happy playing them ! I am also learning the harp so I cant wait foe duet ^^ I am very tempted by the MK low D, in order to play with my husband in tune with the Clark high D. Do you think we can achieve playing on it without transition from a easier low D in an other key as advised in your video ? I also looked at pvc ones but they are around 100 euros so a real investment anyway compare to the mk pro. Thanks a lot a lot ! And hello from South of France
Hi Stephanie, how are you?. I was thinking of starting to rehearse with a low whistle and this tutorial is very good for me but it is not clear to me because I cannot find any that are not excessively expensive. I was looking at Susato for a small low whitle as you say but I do not understand the page very well since my English is not good enough yet. Another question. It would be better to start with a lower Bb or A tin whistle or go straight to a small low whistle. I have a TIN in RE. Which one would you recommend whether I choose one option or the other? Any trusted page that you know? Thank you so much. Take care of yourself. A hug from Zaragoza (Spain)
Very helpful video. Can you recommend sources of sheet music please? I'll be trying a low whistle for the first time, probably an F polymer on your advice. I grew up playing the descant recorder but lost that years ago.
A quick question, if I may. I used to play trumpet and still play guitar and a ceramic ocarina, so would it maybe be easier for me to get started with a low whistle or would I still be about on par to someone just starting out in terms of the weight and finger spacing?
I play bass guitar and I am just starting out on the whistle with a Clarke D, but as soon as I think I can get the hang of it I want to invest in a low whistle, so thanks for this video.[playing bass with band, whistle in pocket, bass solo time, stops playing bass, pulls out whistle and blows them away, band . . . stunned, me . . . band-less] :~)Slightly off topic for this video, but have you done a cover or tutorial on The Blood of CuChulainn (Sp?) (aka theme to Boondock Saints)? I would love to hear you play that tune.
I started on a Waltons penny in D and I had to pretty much whisper through it. It brakes up in between octaves with my natural breath. Should I go with a low D? I'm 6'3 and very long fingers but I wouldn't say I have a naturally large spread. Even on guitar, it can be a stretch for me sometimes.
My first low whistle was a Chieftain V4 and although I tried it for a short while in a shop, I find that I get wrist ache playing it. I got along a little better with my 2nd, which was a plastic Tony Dixon and nice and light, although a bit of a reach. If I was buying one again I'd consider an offset one. Better still if I could get both polymer and offset holes in the one whistle.
I had a Shearwater polymer with offset holes. You might want to try one of those? Or if you're going all out, the Carbony close finger spacing low D is amazing, but around the $500 mark...
Hi Cutiepie :) Thank you for this video! I have played my tin whistle for 6 months now and I have decided to buy my first low d. I'm going to buy Tony Dixon Low D whistle but I'm not sure that should I buy tuneable or non-tuneable. My "music-ear" (sorry I don't know the right word) is not perfect at all so I'm wondering if it's too hard for me to tune it at the beginning 🤔 I like that tuneable whistle is easier to clean and can be tuned if one day I would like to play with other players and also can be fixed if environment turns it out of tune. But I don't want to take too big piece of cake :D I need your advice. Sorry my english!
I'm accustomed to playing the oboe and the clarinet. Do you think that will make transitioning to the low whistle easier in terms of weight, piper's grip, and breath support? Or maybe harder?
I have been playing a high d whistle for a little while and am hooked! Now I want to try a low whistle. This video was very helpful. I have a dumb question though.......if I make a slow transition and buy a smaller low whistle rather than jump straight to a low D, can I still play the same music? Do the tabs translate to any key? I have small hands and am hoping a low D isn’t out of the question for me. Thanks!
If you're using tabs to play, then yes 😊 you can play whatever you like. I have a video explaining how here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SRgKbwRzwAA.html
A lot of these videos recommending ways to start a low whistle are for people who already have experience with a high d or some kind of whistle like that to transition downwards. I am a complete beginner, never touched a wind instrument in my life but I want to try the low d.... is this too ambitious? Should I try the low g or f or should I start with the higher ones?
Thee low D is just a bigger version of a tin whistle, so yes, you can start with one and use ALL the info out there for high whistles. It's a little more difficult to play than a tin whistle, but that doesn't matter at all! There are a few main differences: It's bigger, heavier and needs more air and is more difficult to cover the holes, you need a special grip, but once you've done that, everything works the same as tin whistle. The notes are an octave lower than tin whistle, so if you're following a tutorial, you'll be playing the same notes, but lower. If you don't know about octaves, I can explain that, let me know and I'll reply 😊 If you're starting with low whistle, and not playing high whistle, just go for the low D straight in 😁 it's the best for following tutorials. It might take a few weeks to cover the holes properly, but I'm sure you'll be fine, unless you have particularly small hands... You can always start with an affordable low whistle like these: jamesdominicmusic.com/?aff=6
Hello! Thank you for your tips! Can you please make “wild rose” from faun in D? I love that music. Love your channel and your videos. I’m started to play tin whistle after meet your channel, thank you! ❤️
Cannot find a cheap f or a low whistle , plastic with offset holes online. Any specific product suggestions or websites that I cannot seem to find. Keep up the great work.
I have a high D whistle and want to buy a low one to accompany myself. Do I need to buy a low D necessarily? Or for example Low F or Low G will work with high D as well?
Thank you Stephanie, enjoy your advice. I am trying to buy a Shearwater polymer low G whistle but having difficulty in obtaining one. Any advice as to best place to Buy?
You'll find the maker (John Bushby) on facebook: facebook.com/Shearwater-Music-and-Shearwater-Whistles-116506421743095/ Or there's a link to his website in the video description. Just contact him and ask if he'll make one for you - or if he has one ready to buy :)
If you purchase the Shearwater I'd like to know what you think of it. Shearwater was soundly trashed on Chiff and Fipple by a very unhappy customer. Shearwater also has a no return policy which, to me, does not bode well for his products.
Stephanie, As you must already know... Your voice is always music to my ears... And your beauty and lovely outfits are always candy for my eyes... I watched this video and your last video without volume and then with volume... That way I was able to focus on both of your amazing presentation talents separately... You are always at your best when you are presenting and explaining things... Your whistle talents are amazing but there isn't a whistle or whistler in this world that can come close to the beauty and charm of your appearance and voice when you are explaining and presenting things... My greatest desire of all things in this world is that I could be as special to you as you are to me... And I know that all the money in this world can not buy that kind of admiration... Thank you for all that you do!
... Oh well. I did it all wrong, I guess xD My first low whistle was a low D by Kerrywhistles. I loved it right away but guess what? I was not able to cover the holes. It took me more than a few months to figure out how to properly grab it and to get along with the pipers grip. My hands hurt like sh*t. It was a painful way to get this Lady to do what I wanted her to do but I made it. I should have watched this video more earlier, I guess xD
Hello, thank you very much for your great video. I have one question. I would like to buy MK pro low D whistle. Please, could you tell me the "holes dimensions"? Or some link, where I could find it, please? It would help me a lot ... Thanks a lot...
Hi, I'm on vacation at the moment and I don't have my mk with me, but if you email the whistle maker directly they'll be able to give you their current hole placement positions and diameters so you can work out if you'll be able to play it. x
Is it better for a beginner to buy a medium or small bore Susato low D whistle? What is the whistle you are holding? Is it small or medium bore? Thanks
Do you know of anyone that makes keys to put on low D whistle to accommodate smaller hands? The spacing on this Low D whistle I have is too wide for me to be able to play
Why not get a C whistle and play dorian you can also get a major 3 and major 5 harmony by half noting... and you can play on a D drone.... The off set holes are good thou tbh. Cheers x
Most Irish traditional music is in the key of D, and for this reason, just whistle players have D whistles. This means that tutorials are also available for D whistles, so if you plan to learn music on tin whistle, D is the most popular key. Once you get into shape playing though, you end up with a load of whistles on every key you can think of 😂😂😂
Something mid range value that will last, and be a great whistle as you improve. Probably best just to get a low D and stick with it until you make the finger stretch with ease, it'll happen soon enough 😁
Hi Stephanie I hope my message finds you well, I'm just beginning to play the whistle, by the way I love your videos they really inspired me to buy one, I was wondering if you could do a tutorial on the Fairy tail main theme song. Forever yours Rafael from Mexico :)
On penny whistles, are Oak whistles the same or similar to Generation (they look similar)? They seem a bit better. Oak whistles are commonly sold in the US.
Direct from any of the whistle makers websites 😊 if you look through my whistle reviews and choose a low whistle you like, you'll find the link to buy direct from the maker in the video description.
I have, rather stupidly I find now after seeing your video on Low D whistles, received my Low D Dixon whistle. I did ask questions of professional players and the Dixon was recommended as I have very small hands. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, my fingers will not reach, in particular that bottom hole and my arms are also too short and I can barely get the mouth piece to my mouth! Not sure what to do now. I have asked if I can return it but I hold out little hope. So a warning to everyone to take not of Stephanie's advice. I should have gone for G as it is smaller. I am so disappointed. A lesson learned the hard way. Polly
Hi Polly, have you tried the piper's grip? It usually makes low whistles a lot more accessible as it makes it easier to cover the holes. Also, Carbony make 'close finger spacing' low D whistles that I can reach with my finger pads 😊 they're expensive, but the ideal investment if it's the only low D you can play! I have a review on that whistle too! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eBzrg0I_ikM.html
It's been months since I start thinking about buying a low whistle, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a low F (or Alto, as some manufacturers says). Now the big doubt is between two: Shearwater or Shaw. The first has a very reasonable price and sounds very nice, the second looks very similar to the Clarke original, which I started to love after months of hatred ("too much breathy" quickly became "a lovely, windy sound"
I'd go with the Shearwater, it'll be much more user friendly and serve you better in the long run. My first low was a Shearwater and it was perfect. I've not tried a Shaw and i've always wanted to, but I imagine it'll be a lot harder to play (it will need a lot of air), care for (wooden blocks are susceptible to warping when wet which can damage the whistle) and clean than a Shearwater too. But of course it's entirely up to you...I mean... There's always birthdays and Christmas if you can't justify buying both at once 😉
@@CutiepieTinWhistle Weeeell... my birthday was just two weeks ago, and I haven't got myself a present yet XD BTW, I'll take a little bit more time to make a good, wise choice... and then, in a couple of month, I know I will buy them both :D Or maybe an F and a G, who knows! Thanks a lot for the kind advice!
