Sound samples: Becker: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html WhistleSmith: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html Tony Dixon: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html Kerry Optima: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html Wild Mountain Tyme on the Dixon and Kerry at the end ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
Thank you for mentioning the WhistleSmith. I have a hand injury, but this looks doable. It’s nice to see a non-virtuoso having fun with a low whistle. It makes me think that I could do the same thing. (That’s not intended to be a put down. I have a hard time understanding what’s going on with some of the great Irish players. Your videos are for real people...)
Thank you. I have gotten somewhat better since this video and moved through an MKPro...great whistle but one I can not play because of a sensitivity to the aluminum mouthpiece...to a Carbony with close finger spacing. If you have hand issues, the Carbony, though very expensive, is the way to go.
Thank you for including the whistlesmith low d in your review and comparing the holes positions and sizes. I have small hands and am just beginning to play tin whistles. I bought a Dixon low D flute by mistake and I'm returning it. The holes were quite a stretch. Assuming the whistle version is the same structure or design as the flute, I think the WhistleSmith might work out better for me. Thanks again for such a great explanation of what to take note of among so many good brands.
My first low D was a Becker which I bought to see if I could play a low whistle. I bought it after seeing it online and watching Mister Becker playing it. The very low price was a major factor in my purchasing decision. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and how little breath it took to play. I then jumped to the higher end of the spectrum with an MK Pro low D which I absolutely love.
I’m thinking about doing the same thing. A Becker low D is on the way but man that MK looks and sounds amazing. What do you like most about MK ? What does it do better than the Becker?
@@tomcaron9113 It's not fair to compare the two whistles. The MK is 11 times the price of the Becker, $us343 as compared to around $us 30. The Becker was bought to see if i could manage the hole coverage as i don't have particularly large hands. Using tutorials here on youtube I found it no problem using the pipers grip. The Becker I still own and when I don't want to make too much noise I still occasionally play it. The MK is pretty loud.
@@gcujimmy Thanks for the response. I figured the two were light years away from each other. The MK Pro looks ands sounds amazing. I also play a Native American flute low C and the tone is amazing. Easy players. I suspect a green MK Pro is in my future.
I have nine whistles from Mr. Becker and very pleased with them. The prices make it obvious Mr. Becker makes whistle for the love of his craft and not just a business.
@@soslothful he told me that the low C takes a different diameter tube, so I asked him for a low E. I figured everyone has a D so I ordered something different.
@@detenator890 James Becker of Becker Whistles made me a very nice low C. Goldfinch Whistles in Poland make a nice low C too. Oh, my HH C is an alto C, not low. I was inattentive with my original response. Did not consider this is a low whistle video.
Very informative just got one low D thought it didn’t sound right till I heard yours bit of practice just needed it’s a James Dominic £50 cheap at the price
A nice review. Yes, the WhistleSmith does have a pleasing tune even though the E is off & weak. The holes are definitely easier to cover than my Tony Dixon TB022 flute/whistle - especially when I have to drop 5-fingers onto the holes at once. Both whistles have an easy to blow 2nd octave. My next low whistle will probably be a Chieftain V5.
I had my. WhistleSmith cleaned and “revoiced” just before this review, and it improved the low E considerably. You really have to get the right angle on the whistle to get the best performance out of the narrow windway...but with practice it can be done. :)
Now that im older, i realize that if you enjoy something and you are honest with yourself that you will stick with it or not, go ahead and get something nice. Middle budget stuff is not cost-effective. Go cheap if you are trying something totally new out or go big. Maybe not top of the line fancy but upper tier. You will probably end up there anyway. Cheap will work, mid will have a few extras but plays the same as cheap. Nice will play the best, but maybe without the fancy. Top tier just adds fancy. This goes for just about all hobbies.
I have not tried the Susato keys but I have a Carbony with close hole spacing and love it! My hands are much more relaxed. I would have to learn to play with the piper’s grip all over again. :)
@@StephenIngraham Hello again. I ended up getting the Tony Dixon and I'm happy to report I can reach the lowest hole with some practice. The 2nd octave is also very easy as you mentioned in the video. Great first whistle indeed
I did indeed end up with an MK Pro and a close-fingered Carbony. :) The MK Pro played and sounded great but I could not handle the Al mouthpiece (allergies). The Carbony played even better, and sounded almost as great. A very easy whistle to play…easiest of any whistle I have owned.
@@StephenIngraham Thanks for the response Stephen. I’m finding that there are a lot of makers out there. The Carbony looks like a nice option but pretty pricey.
![Transitioning from penny whistle to low whistle [Tutorial 1: Piper's Grip]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8QWXZdk-iE8/mqdefault.jpg)
You provide such helpful videos, always enjoy them thanks
Glad you like them!
Sound samples:
Becker: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
WhistleSmith: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
Tony Dixon: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
Kerry Optima: ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
Wild Mountain Tyme on the Dixon and Kerry at the end ua-cam.com/video/Go3bnot1iBs/v-deo.html
Thank you for mentioning the WhistleSmith. I have a hand injury, but this looks doable.
It’s nice to see a non-virtuoso having fun with a low whistle. It makes me think that I could do the same thing. (That’s not intended to be a put down. I have a hard time understanding what’s going on with some of the great Irish players. Your videos are for real people...)
Thank you. I have gotten somewhat better since this video and moved through an MKPro...great whistle but one I can not play because of a sensitivity to the aluminum mouthpiece...to a Carbony with close finger spacing. If you have hand issues, the Carbony, though very expensive, is the way to go.
Thank you for including the whistlesmith low d in your review and comparing the holes positions and sizes. I have small hands and am just beginning to play tin whistles. I bought a Dixon low D flute by mistake and I'm returning it. The holes were quite a stretch. Assuming the whistle version is the same structure or design as the flute, I think the WhistleSmith might work out better for me. Thanks again for such a great explanation of what to take note of among so many good brands.
Thankyou so much! I wanted to start with a low D. I found now, and I am such a lucky human being. 🙂 God bless.
My first low D was a Becker which I bought to see if I could play a low whistle. I bought it after seeing it online and watching Mister Becker playing it. The very low price was a major factor in my purchasing decision. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and how little breath it took to play. I then jumped to the higher end of the spectrum with an MK Pro low D which I absolutely love.
I’m thinking about doing the same thing. A Becker low D is on the way but man that MK looks and sounds amazing.
What do you like most about MK ? What does it do better than the Becker?
@@tomcaron9113 It's not fair to compare the two whistles. The MK is 11 times the price of the Becker, $us343 as compared to around $us 30.
The Becker was bought to see if i could manage the hole coverage as i don't have particularly large hands. Using tutorials here on youtube I found it no problem using the pipers grip.
The Becker I still own and when I don't want to make too much noise I still occasionally play it. The MK is pretty loud.
@@gcujimmy Thanks for the response. I figured the two were light years away from each other. The MK Pro looks ands sounds amazing. I also play a Native American flute low C and the tone is amazing. Easy players. I suspect a green MK Pro is in my future.
I have nine whistles from Mr. Becker and very pleased with them. The prices make it obvious Mr. Becker makes whistle for the love of his craft and not just a business.
Thanks for the reviews! Great video
thanks for your overview, was searching for that kind of video
Welcome!
Really like the sound track you chose. Some beautiful views too
Thank you for making this video. Very helpful. May I also suggest Hermit Hill folk instruments? Its budget pvc but looks and plays very nice.
I have a HH C which I quite like.
@@soslothful he told me that the low C takes a different diameter tube, so I asked him for a low E. I figured everyone has a D so I ordered something different.
@@detenator890 James Becker of Becker Whistles made me a very nice low C. Goldfinch Whistles in Poland make a nice low C too. Oh, my HH C is an alto C, not low. I was inattentive with my original response. Did not consider this is a low whistle video.
@@soslothful Goldfinch from PL ? Hmm, I have to check it out. I can get my cousins to buy and ship it to me ;-)
@@detenator890 Yes, search Goldfinch Whistles and there are reviews on YT.
Very informative just got one low D thought it didn’t sound right till I heard yours bit of practice just needed it’s a James Dominic £50 cheap at the price
A nice review. Yes, the WhistleSmith does have a pleasing tune even though the E is off & weak. The holes are definitely easier to cover than my Tony Dixon TB022 flute/whistle - especially when I have to drop 5-fingers onto the holes at once. Both whistles have an easy to blow 2nd octave. My next low whistle will probably be a Chieftain V5.
I had my. WhistleSmith cleaned and “revoiced” just before this review, and it improved the low E considerably. You really have to get the right angle on the whistle to get the best performance out of the narrow windway...but with practice it can be done. :)
Nice video thank you
Now that im older, i realize that if you enjoy something and you are honest with yourself that you will stick with it or not, go ahead and get something nice. Middle budget stuff is not cost-effective. Go cheap if you are trying something totally new out or go big. Maybe not top of the line fancy but upper tier. You will probably end up there anyway. Cheap will work, mid will have a few extras but plays the same as cheap. Nice will play the best, but maybe without the fancy. Top tier just adds fancy. This goes for just about all hobbies.
:)
Have you ever tried low whistles with keys that help reach the lowest hole? Susato seems to offer keys as a $25 addition per key.
I have not tried the Susato keys but I have a Carbony with close hole spacing and love it! My hands are much more relaxed. I would have to learn to play with the piper’s grip all over again. :)
@@StephenIngraham Carbony is probably amazing but I'm not quite ready to spend $500 quite yet!
@@StephenIngraham Hello again. I ended up getting the Tony Dixon and I'm happy to report I can reach the lowest hole with some practice. The 2nd octave is also very easy as you mentioned in the video. Great first whistle indeed
Update: I just checked Becker website and it says that they closed as of March of 2023.
:(
Great video. Thanks 👍
😘😘 thanks
Welcome 😊
Are you playing an s y n brass low D? I see a red whistle. I've been looking for a video of the s y n brass low d and I can't find one
No. I have Dixons, Whistlesmith, Beckers, an MK, and a Carbony. No SYN.
The problem I have is that I end up buying a lot of cheap whistles when I could have just bought one MK Pro.
I did indeed end up with an MK Pro and a close-fingered Carbony. :) The MK Pro played and sounded great but I could not handle the Al mouthpiece (allergies). The Carbony played even better, and sounded almost as great. A very easy whistle to play…easiest of any whistle I have owned.
@@StephenIngraham Thanks for the response Stephen. I’m finding that there are a lot of makers out there. The Carbony looks like a nice option but pretty pricey.
Go to see Goldfinch whistles.. they are Amazing and not expansives