Red Low D is the most common key played in Irish and many other types of traditional music.
Howard Low Whistles have been made since the early 1970's and the present design was first put on sale in 1985. The design has been constantly improved since. The tone is of a haunting quality (for airs), it takes little air (jigs and reels), it moves easily and solidly between octaves with some dynamics (you can play loud or soft without loosing tuning. The tuning is excellent over two full octaves. The barrel is made of specially drawn thin wall brass tube with an ABS (high grade resin) head. The head is movable for tuning with a reference line incised around the barrel to give a tuning visual aid. Howard low whistles are not hard blown nor do they use much air. They move solidly between the two octaves.With practice they can be played loudly or quietly in both octaves without significant changes in pitch.
How To Finger Low Whistles
This is the necessary method of playing the low whistle, in my opinion and of that of everyone who has some idea what he or she is talking about. It's called piper fingering. It's a little difficult to learn at first for those accustomed to the standard "fingertip" style of playing high whistles. Trying to play the low whistle with conventional fingering will inevitably lead to fatigue.
Please note the advantage of having a large bore holed whistle is that the tone of the whistle is louder and more resonant, especially the lower notes, like the Low D"
- Howard low D Whistle
- The barrel is made of specially drawn thin wall brass tube with an abs (high grade resin) head
- The head is movable for tuning with a reference line incised around the barrel to give a tuning visual aid.
- Designed and made by master craftsman Howard who has made high quality musical instruments since the early 1970's
