Chiff and Fipple Forums

You've not had any replies . . . maybe because your question is rather vague. Do I take it you are wanting a Low D with an easy-to-access upper second octave? It would be helpful to know how much you want to spend. The Dixon tapered bore Low D comes quickly to mind. It is cheap but easy to play and ...

John McSherry is now offering "comprehensive courses for Low Whistle and Uilleann Pipes." Check out www.johnmcsherry.com. All videos are accessible for a monthly subscription.

I've sent a PM to you stiofan.

Is it a soft blower you have or a harder blower?

Thanks! Very helpful. Given the price of the Carbony I think I will be going with the Dixon! At the price, I can't really lose. The Goldfinch is also good value but I prefer the Dixon's tapered bore.

Hi Byll, Thanks for that information. Good to know. The Howard seems ideal in so many other ways. But here's the thing for me. Much as I enjoyed playing the Davy Spillane kind of airs, playing long notes in the high second (even third) octave has maxiumum impact on the chest/lungs and I'm far from s...

Hi Rainer, Thanks for writing and for sharing your story . . . which was very helpful. I used to have that whistle but I really only used it for transcribing airs etc at my desk (what a memory you have regarding my tastes!) my go-to whistle being a medium blowing Goldie. I can't really remember how ...

Thank you both for your thoughts on the Howard. Byll, what you have to say is particularly encouraging and I'm pleased that the Black Silk model not only is very balanced in all attributes but has bevelled or chamfered holes (David calls them contoured on the website). A couple more questions for yo...

Thanks for the replies, guys. Byll, funnily enough I was checking out Howard whistles the other day after seeing a video on them by cutiepie(?). I was quite attracted to them but aren't they loud and don't they possess a fair bit of backpressure? If I bought one, I would go for the balanced head for...

Thanks guys. I did wonder about the Dixon. Is the TB012D a tuneable version of the one-piece tapered bore Dixon? The Carbony would be another tapered bore though at the other end of the price range from the Dixon:) In terms of the effort required to get up to the higher second octave which would you...

About five years ago with great reluctance I gave up playing the low whistle due to costochondritis, damage to the connecting tissues between the ribs and sternum. I miss it so much and have decided to try again . . . very gently to begin with. I still own my beloved medium blowing Goldie Low D but ...

Thanks for the input guys. I'm not so sure about the Busker now and definitely prefer rounded to sharp-edged holes. Thanks for the Alba suggestion. I'll check into those. BTW What are the holes like on the Alba Low F?

Can anyone give me their thoughts on Phil Hardy's Busker Low F please? They sound really nice but what are the air usage, backpressure, and ease of playing the upper second octave like please? And I'm also interested in how the holes are finished. I'm sure they're not deep and rounded like the holes...

Thanks. Good to know.

I wrote to Mary and she fixed the website! Apparently, Book 3 is on the way!