Good Lord. I have spent about 4 months trying to play my low A whistle and was simply not able to get the quality as I do with my high D. Now I know why. I have not found anyone to teach me and so have resorted to UA-cams which I have gained quite a bit. After 1.5 years I now play for friends who come to hear me. Quite an accomplishment and now I can add the A to this.
Thanks for your excellent tutorial series. I now understand the grip and how to practice it as I work on getting consistent sounds out of my low G whistle. I'm in my early 70s and started learning the tin whistle in 2023. I've a ways to go and have no music training to build on. I'd be interested in seeing images of your hands when flat to compare relative finger lengths 😂. Cheers
Thank you so much!! After a couple of days wrestling with my new MK Pro Low D (in great pain), having played a high D for 6 months, you’ve transformed my playing experience. I see light at the end of the tunnel!! 😁
Yes! Never too late to do the right thing ! and because I found your tutorials, I've just bought an Optima tuneable Low D (in France)! what a deep and warm sound, really thanks to you, it's all here, I am filling my retirement time with my dogs and music some friends to share and it's happiness!
I just got my first Low D Whistle (a Chieftain V5 bought second hand) yesterday and I noticed what helps me tremendously to get the hole coverage right is to hold the whistle at an angle of about 60 - 70° from my body. Also helps a lot with the balancing. This can be tiring for the arms and shoulders, though, which I try to counteract by moving my whole upper body to the music, thus avoiding becoming to rigid and tensed up :)
Great, helpful tutorial. Patience, practice and perseverance are the key I think. When I first bought a low whistle, some 15 yrs ago, I thought my fingers would never manage to cover the holes in a proper, airtight way. I've just acquired a low C and this now requires more PP&P.
As a novice, I've played various whistles for the last few years. I started on a carbon fiber low D from Erik the Flute maker (Florida) about a year ago. But just bought my second low D from Howards in Sheffield, England. Different lengths, different hole placement and so slightly different grip. I am in love with my new brass Howard whistle :) My pinkie isn't long enough to reach the instrument and I suspect everyone's hand and finger dimensions means everyone will have to figure out the slight variations that work for them.
Very nice. I have a Michael Burke Low G whistle. I'm learning the piper's grip as you demonstrate, takes practice until it all comes together! This is a great tutorial for these low whistles!
Just got my low D whistle after falling in love with the tone and wanted to bring out my Irish side, I’ve been used to various instruments in the past and played piano a few years ago so I knew it would take some time to retrain hands to that stretch and finger placement although it was further apart than I expected 😬 oops, I have many joint issues , wrists being one so yep it hurts a bit but I know with picking it up every day for 5 minuets my fingers and joints should slowly get used to the stretching more and hopefully do some good, in between I’ve got a High D to practice notes I really want to learn this instrument and make my Irish ancestors smile from above. Practice Rest Practice Rest Practice.
Just got my first Whistle Chieftain V5 low D beautiful instrument well crafted from Kerry Whistles , I play sax and clarinets but its a different approach but I love it need more practice, my neighbors going nuts .
+kapellmeister70 Hi, I played a low D Dixon yesterday and found it to be very quiet and not so easy to keep a consistant note. I hope you have better luck with yours. phil.
A 45 or a 60 degree angle (Female/Female) 'Elbow' Joint installed between the Fipple and the finger holes would shorten the distance a player has to reach to the holes. The lower tube end that slots snugly into the Elbow Joint would have to be shortened to compensate for the extra length of the Elbow in order to achieve the 'D' Key (or Whatever Low Key) Pitch and the Whistle would still be tune-able. Bass Recorders have an 'Angled Neck' in them for the same reason.
I got one of your whistles (optima tuneable low D) and it sounds amazing. The grip is gonna take some time, I find the lowest hole particularly hard, but I'll get there. Great fast service from your site by the way!
Thank you for this! Going to practice this and Tutorial 2. I have a Tony Dixon Low D whistle/flute combo, but have had such a hard time keeping the holes covered and not having my thumbs cramp up and hurt. I have no problem at all playing recorder or a high D whistle and can play harp and piano, so I've felt a bit of a failure for not being able to get the sound out good with this low whistle. I'm not even going to attempt the flue portion until I can get the hang of the whistle, haha.
I just tried playing with barely any pressure from my thumbs on the underside and without gripping with my fingers, and wow, it's so much easier and more heard notes than not now. Thanks again. Simple, but helped tremendously.
Hi Phil. I'm trying to loosen my grip to stop my thumbs from aching but when I do my hole coverage seems to be loose and squeaky until I press harder with my fingers. Which in turn causes my thumbs to ache. Are there any techniques you know I can practice to loosen my grip but keep the coverage solid? Or is it just muscle memory? Any help here would be greatly appreciated mate
Just a few days ago I found a Low Whistle resource which I recall titled "JP's Low Whistle" now I cannot find it at all. Is such a site familiar to anyone?
I think we have to learn from Mister Spock from Enterprise Right Hand Ringfinger is going out to the end of the whistle:) .... Peace and have a Long Live. :))) .
I too have short fingers which are quite thick but bony, but I can play my Chieftain low D whistle using the normal fingering. However on my Howard low C whistle I do have to use the little finger on my right hand as the stretch is too big at the bottom for me to use my ring finger there. It gives me very few problems (although I can't play it very fast)
Where should your thumbs rest, especially on the lower hand, in relation to this grip ? I am left handed, and I find my lower thumb aches very quickly. Am I right in assuming that the angle of my whole hand must be wrong ? Would it be possible for you to describe the angle of the hands / wrists too ? ( I know. I don't ask for much. Do I ? :D ) For the record, I am using a Dixon low D. NOT the conical bore.
Jim Anon A Dixon low D is tricky to play. It requires softness of breath. I am left handed too. If your lower thumb aches you either are holding it wrong or you need to build up muscle strength in that hand.The angle is hard to describe. Its more a matter of comfort when playing....As Phil describes, its all about covering the holes, and not strangling the low D. Take it a step at a time. I have tried to play the low D for 10 years and it is a challenge.
Chris Novack It's obviously got to be a fault with the angle of my lower hand / fingers Chris. I have a whole set of Dixon's whistle so I am used to their playing characteristics and sustaining the right breath is not a problem. Perhaps my fingers are too straight ? Guess it's a matter of trial and error. Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris :)
Thank you for taking the time to post excellent tutorials. In your opinion, advising an older learner with limited time and who has small/medium hands, which G whistle would you recommend? I am looking for a flute like breathy tone. I have been given a Shaw G whistle which has the breathy sound I'm after but the amount of air required seems excessive and the intonation of the F/F sharp is poor; I realize my comments may only be due to the lack of my technique and ignorance. Good luck with the lawnmower!
Very informative! What is the most common tune of whistle that goes well with guitar and other standard tuned instruments? Is there a low whistle in A?
Hi! Thanks for the video, much appreciated. I see your whistle is tunable, right? Would you consider making a video on how to tune? Thanks in advance (:
Can anybody advise me about the problem with moisture getting into the whistle? I have a cleaning rod, but is there a technique to stop it happening in the first place?
Thanks so much for this video. I was thinking of getting a low D whistle and wanted to know how to finger it. Is there a low D whistle I could get that's good yet costs $50 or less?
In a word " no ". The best budget low D is the Kerry Optima as used in the above vid at @70 inc postage at kerrywhistles.com/product/kerry-optima-fixed-low-d-2/
Hi Phil I am right handed should my right hand be on top of whistle or should I use my left I feel more at ease using my right hand at top of whistle is this something I should change now or is this normal for novice players thanks Micheal.
Hi Many thanks for your videos. I’ve just taken delivery of a Chieftain mezzo D to start learning on. I intend to follow your tutorials, however, I am struggling to get my RH finger pads to reach the holes, and I have long arms. Do you have any pointers please?
Kerrywhistles Hello, thanks for your response. The whistle was advertised as a Chieftain Thunderbird Mezzo D. Looking at the details on the whistle it says Chieftain V5 - and on the other side D. It’s a very nice whistle, however, I beginning to wonder if it’s suitable for a beginner?
Kerrywhistles Kerrywhistles Yes, I’m working on it, although the whistle does seems a little long and unwieldy. Why did you ask me to check what it said on the whistle, please?
I have small hands. I am finding it difficult to have consistent good hole coverage when using my third finger. If I use my pinky finger to accomplish this do you think I will encounter more difficulties with the progression of these lessons? If so, do you have any suggests for me?
Nicht - Phil gives an explanation of "piper's grip" in the beginning of this video. It is a grip used by Ulliean pipers to span the placement of the chanter holes.
For painting toenails-salons use foam wedge/comb to splay the digits. I’m thinking to sleep at night with something similar for my normal ladies hands to help make the pipers grip more natural (I’m joking!) Honestly though-I’ll do what Phil says by frequent short practice putting in time on the beginners skills however much I want to jump ahead and learn a song. Thanks-Merm
![Transitioning from penny whistle to low whistle [Tutorial 1: Piper's Grip]](/img/n.gif)
Good Lord. I have spent about 4 months trying to play my low A whistle and was simply not able to get the quality as I do with my high D. Now I know why. I have not found anyone to teach me and so have resorted to UA-cams which I have gained quite a bit. After 1.5 years I now play for friends who come to hear me. Quite an accomplishment and now I can add the A to this.
Thanks for your excellent tutorial series. I now understand the grip and how to practice it as I work on getting consistent sounds out of my low G whistle. I'm in my early 70s and started learning the tin whistle in 2023. I've a ways to go and have no music training to build on. I'd be interested in seeing images of your hands when flat to compare relative finger lengths 😂. Cheers
Thank you so much!! After a couple of days wrestling with my new MK Pro Low D (in great pain), having played a high D for 6 months, you’ve transformed my playing experience. I see light at the end of the tunnel!! 😁
I appreciate your teaching style - slow and relaxed. I don't feel pressure to go beyond my limits (yet!)
Yes! Never too late to do the right thing ! and because I found your tutorials, I've just bought an Optima tuneable Low D (in France)! what a deep and warm sound,
really thanks to you, it's all here,
I am filling my retirement time with my dogs and music
some friends to share and it's happiness!
I just got my tunable Optima Low D whistle in the mail today. So glad to have these tutorials to get me started right. Thank you Kerry Whistles!
I just got my first Low D Whistle (a Chieftain V5 bought second hand) yesterday and I noticed what helps me tremendously to get the hole coverage right is to hold the whistle at an angle of about 60 - 70° from my body. Also helps a lot with the balancing. This can be tiring for the arms and shoulders, though, which I try to counteract by moving my whole upper body to the music, thus avoiding becoming to rigid and tensed up :)
Great, helpful tutorial. Patience, practice and perseverance are the key I think. When I first bought a low whistle, some 15 yrs ago, I thought my fingers would never manage to cover the holes in a proper, airtight way. I've just acquired a low C and this now requires more PP&P.
as a complete novice, i must say what a good teacher, inspirational thanks
Oh yes!!! As someone who only took up learning the whistle last summer, this series is exactly what I need. Thanks a million Phil.
Excellent teacher. Thank you.
I like just listening to his voice!
As a novice, I've played various whistles for the last few years. I started on a carbon fiber low D from Erik the Flute maker (Florida) about a year ago. But just bought my second low D from Howards in Sheffield, England. Different lengths, different hole placement and so slightly different grip. I am in love with my new brass Howard whistle :) My pinkie isn't long enough to reach the instrument and I suspect everyone's hand and finger dimensions means everyone will have to figure out the slight variations that work for them.
Thank you for a great video. Just paid £70 on a Shearwater Low D and was losing hope until your tutorial.
I received my whistle today and this is a very helpful way of getting comfortable with it. Thanks Phil!
Pleasure.
Very nice. I have a Michael Burke Low G whistle. I'm learning the piper's grip as you demonstrate, takes practice until it all comes together! This is a great tutorial for these low whistles!
Thanks for this! Great teaching
Just got my low D whistle after falling in love with the tone and wanted to bring out my Irish side, I’ve been used to various instruments in the past and played piano a few years ago so I knew it would take some time to retrain hands to that stretch and finger placement although it was further apart than I expected 😬 oops, I have many joint issues , wrists being one so yep it hurts a bit but I know with picking it up every day for 5 minuets my fingers and joints should slowly get used to the stretching more and hopefully do some good, in between I’ve got a High D to practice notes I really want to learn this instrument and make my Irish ancestors smile from above. Practice Rest Practice Rest Practice.
Amazing tutorial! Thank you. Not so easy to find on UA-cam
Just got my first Whistle Chieftain V5 low D beautiful instrument well crafted from Kerry Whistles , I play sax and clarinets but its a different approach but I love it need more practice, my neighbors going nuts .
Thanks a lot for the tutorial, very useful. I just bought a Tony Dixon low d. I'm waiting for his arrival. Thanks again.
+kapellmeister70 Hi, I played a low D Dixon yesterday and found it to be very quiet and not so easy to keep a consistant note. I hope you have better luck with yours. phil.
How did you get on?
Thank you so much! Very helpful!
Great Video ! I Want To Start Playing The Low Whistle, And This Is Very Helpful.
Thank you for this helpful introduction!
Thank you Kerry. Help me a lot.
A real teacher ! thank you.
Thanks..just getting started and nice refresher on fingering
A 45 or a 60 degree angle (Female/Female) 'Elbow' Joint installed between the Fipple and the finger holes would shorten the distance a player has to reach to the holes. The lower tube end that slots snugly into the Elbow Joint would have to be shortened to compensate for the extra length of the Elbow in order to achieve the 'D' Key (or Whatever Low Key) Pitch and the Whistle would still be tune-able. Bass Recorders have an 'Angled Neck' in them for the same reason.
Very helpfull to start with! Thank you so much!
I got one of your whistles (optima tuneable low D) and it sounds amazing. The grip is gonna take some time, I find the lowest hole particularly hard, but I'll get there. Great fast service from your site by the way!
Very helpful tutorials. I'd like to thank you. :)
You are very welcome.
Thank you, I don't get to the Utoob much for comments.
many thanks for this helpful intro.
I am literally mind blown. I didn't know my hands could actually stay straight!
It's a great feel.
Thank you for this! Going to practice this and Tutorial 2. I have a Tony Dixon Low D whistle/flute combo, but have had such a hard time keeping the holes covered and not having my thumbs cramp up and hurt. I have no problem at all playing recorder or a high D whistle and can play harp and piano, so I've felt a bit of a failure for not being able to get the sound out good with this low whistle. I'm not even going to attempt the flue portion until I can get the hang of the whistle, haha.
I just tried playing with barely any pressure from my thumbs on the underside and without gripping with my fingers, and wow, it's so much easier and more heard notes than not now. Thanks again. Simple, but helped tremendously.
Useful video, thanks.
Thank you for this
Very helpful. Thanks.
Thank you, so helpful!
Hi Phil. I'm trying to loosen my grip to stop my thumbs from aching but when I do my hole coverage seems to be loose and squeaky until I press harder with my fingers. Which in turn causes my thumbs to ache. Are there any techniques you know I can practice to loosen my grip but keep the coverage solid? Or is it just muscle memory? Any help here would be greatly appreciated mate
Just a few days ago I found a Low Whistle resource which I recall titled "JP's Low Whistle" now I cannot find it at all. Is such a site familiar to anyone?
I think we have to learn from Mister Spock from Enterprise
Right Hand Ringfinger is going out to the end of the whistle:)
....
Peace and have
a Long Live. :)))
.
Thanks.
I too have short fingers which are quite thick but bony, but I can play my Chieftain low D whistle using the normal fingering. However on my Howard low C whistle I do have to use the little finger on my right hand as the stretch is too big at the bottom for me to use my ring finger there. It gives me very few problems (although I can't play it very fast)
Use pipers grip as demostrated here.
nice.
I ordered a chieftan v5 and am stoked. Anybody know how long to get it in the states?
I ordered this item on 12/7. It was shipped to the US on 12/8 and I received it on 12/20. So, a couple of weeks in transit.
I have to play very slowly, because o make mistakes faster, im used to play tin whistle amateur too
Where should your thumbs rest, especially on the lower hand, in relation to this grip ? I am left handed, and I find my lower thumb aches very quickly. Am I right in assuming that the angle of my whole hand must be wrong ? Would it be possible for you to describe the angle of the hands / wrists too ? ( I know. I don't ask for much. Do I ? :D )
For the record, I am using a Dixon low D. NOT the conical bore.
Jim Anon A Dixon low D is tricky to play. It requires softness of breath. I am left handed too. If your lower thumb aches you either are holding it wrong or you need to build up muscle strength in that hand.The angle is hard to describe. Its more a matter of comfort when playing....As Phil describes, its all about covering the holes, and not strangling the low D. Take it a step at a time. I have tried to play the low D for 10 years and it is a challenge.
Chris Novack It's obviously got to be a fault with the angle of my lower hand / fingers Chris. I have a whole set of Dixon's whistle so I am used to their playing characteristics and sustaining the right breath is not a problem. Perhaps my fingers are too straight ? Guess it's a matter of trial and error. Thanks for taking the time to reply Chris :)
Thank you for taking the time to post excellent tutorials. In your opinion, advising an older learner with limited time and who has small/medium hands, which G whistle would you recommend? I am looking for a flute like breathy tone. I have been given a Shaw G whistle which has the breathy sound I'm after but the amount of air required seems excessive and the intonation of the F/F sharp is poor; I realize my comments may only be due to the lack of my technique and ignorance. Good luck with the lawnmower!
Lawn mower v cool, life changing.
Thunderbird G is the ticket. www.kerrywhistles.com/store.html ua-cam.com/video/aruFgsdLeJI/v-deo.html
I sooo need to get moving with my Chieftain Low D
Did you get moving?
Very informative! What is the most common tune of whistle that goes well with guitar and other standard tuned instruments? Is there a low whistle in A?
Hi! Thanks for the video, much appreciated. I see your whistle is tunable, right? Would you consider making a video on how to tune? Thanks in advance (:
I would go for a Chieftain Thunderbird low D or a KerryPro low D, phil.
Are they very expensive? Can you send away for one?
Can anybody advise me about the problem with moisture getting into the whistle? I have a cleaning rod, but is there a technique to stop it happening in the first place?
Thanks so much for this video. I was thinking of getting a low D whistle and wanted to know how to finger it. Is there a low D whistle I could get that's good yet costs $50 or less?
In a word " no ". The best budget low D is the Kerry Optima as used in the above vid at @70 inc postage at kerrywhistles.com/product/kerry-optima-fixed-low-d-2/
Up to this day i though i am good in covering the holes.
Can I get the C natural note in a Low whistle by blowing OXXOOO?
Yes.
Jump to the first tone: 6:09
Hi Phil I am right handed should my right hand be on top of whistle or should I use my left I feel more at ease using my right hand at top of whistle is this something I should change now or is this normal for novice players thanks Micheal.
+michael mallin play how you feel easy with it.
Hi Many thanks for your videos. I’ve just taken delivery of a Chieftain mezzo D to start learning on. I intend to follow your tutorials, however, I am struggling to get my RH finger pads to reach the holes, and I have long arms. Do you have any pointers please?
Are you sure it's a mezzo D? What does it say on the whistle?
Kerrywhistles Hello, thanks for your response. The whistle was advertised as a Chieftain Thunderbird Mezzo D. Looking at the details on the whistle it says Chieftain V5 - and on the other side D. It’s a very nice whistle, however, I beginning to wonder if it’s suitable for a beginner?
If you really follow the above and spend time perfecting the hole coverage you'll be fine.
Kerrywhistles Kerrywhistles Yes, I’m working on it, although the whistle does seems a little long and unwieldy.
Why did you ask me to check what it said on the whistle, please?
Because what you have is NOT a Chieftaion Mezzo D, ita Tenor D Chieftain V5. A whole octave apart.
I am interesting to get one and how can I get it?
Sorry for delay, www.kerrywhistles.com/shop
I have small hands. I am finding it difficult to have consistent good hole coverage when using my third finger. If I use my pinky finger to accomplish this do you think I will encounter more difficulties with the progression of these lessons? If so, do you have any suggests for me?
You will encounnter more trouble down the road.
I, too have small hands, but I've created my own style. I use my bottom hand with the Piper's Grip, and the top with my fingertips.
Caitlynn Shaffer
what is Pipers grip meaning ?
I've got today my new whistle
But the same problem :)
Nicht - Phil gives an explanation of "piper's grip" in the beginning of this video. It is a grip used by Ulliean pipers to span the placement of the chanter holes.
Any tips for a guy with small hands? dont rly have a problem covering the holes but my thumbs end up hurting like hell after like 5 min of playing :/
Practice little and often.
Keep at it, no pain no gain.
Try putting wine corks between each finger and leave them there for about 5 minutes a day.
Be careful. If your thumbs are hurting it's probably time to put it down and rest. Come back later when you feel better.
For painting toenails-salons use foam wedge/comb to splay the digits. I’m thinking to sleep at night with something similar for my normal ladies hands to help make the pipers grip more natural (I’m joking!) Honestly though-I’ll do what Phil says by frequent short practice putting in time on the beginners skills however much I want to jump ahead and learn a song. Thanks-Merm
Can someone play low d for beginners
I am in the process of that very thing...watch this space.
Very helpful tutorial! Thank you!
nice.
I am interesting to get one and how can I get it?
www.kerrywhistles.com/store.html