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Low whistle difficult stretch - any suggestions?

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  • 20-07-2010 12:13pm
    #1
    ELLENoco
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭


    Hi guys,
    Ive been playing the flute and whistle for a good few years and I would love to play the low D whistle but I find the finger stretch on the last hole very difficult.
    Any suggestions of low whistles makes which may be easier? (I know they are all pretty much the same size but I'd appreciate any help!!!)
    :D


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    #2
    Cú Giobach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,772 ✭✭✭Cú Giobach


    Unless you're gonna play something smaller like an "E" or a "G" etc then the only option is...............

    ....you guessed it..practice.
    Trust me, it does get easier, when I first started playing the Low W.. I never thought my fingers would manage it,
    but they did and I don't have long fingers or a big natural stretch.
    Good luck!!!!


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    #3
    ELLENoco
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭ELLENoco


    Thought practice might be suggested to me!!!
    Ya slow airs and things are ok its just getting a bit of speed that seems to be the trouble....... :P


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    #4
    Cú Giobach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,772 ✭✭✭Cú Giobach


    I guess thats why you dont really hear that many people playing the faster tunes on the instrument.
    To be honest I rarely play the fast ones myself with it anymore, just use it for the airs, but you will get the stretch...... "eventually" :)
    Ádh mór ort....


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    #5
    galwaybabe
    Registered Users Posts: 1,063 ✭✭✭galwaybabe


    I find that using finger stretching exercises that guitarists use are very handy.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26yUeESnMvY


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    #6
    ELLENoco
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭ELLENoco


    Looked pretty crazy watching that at work haha! Thanks though looks really good :o


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    #7
    Blade
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Music Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,499 Mod ✭✭✭✭Blade


    ELLENoco wrote: »
    Any suggestions of low whistles makes which may be easier?

    Yes, the Dixon low D's have less of a stretch than any other I'm aware of. I can play it like a normal whistle using fingertips. However if you already have a low D I wouldn't bother buying another just to make things a little easier. You'll get used to it as everyone is saying. What a lot of people do for low D's is use some form of a piper's grip, as everyones hands are different you really need to find what's comfy for you. Something that's not causing any strain/pain and let's your fingers relax. Heres an example robbed from another forum, it may not suit you but just to give you some ideas:

    3452182453_bb7674e5a3_o.jpg


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