CHEAP VS EXPENSIVE TIN WHISTLE - Can you hear the difference? High D Whistle Comparison

This video covers 9 high D pennywhistles ranging from under $10 to $250 in a range of materials, played next to each other for you to directly compare and contrast. I hope you enjoy it!
You can find full reviews of all these whistles here: • TIN WHISTLE COMPARISON...
The tune is Ashokan Farewell - tutorial and tabs here: • ASHOKAN FAREWELL - Tin...
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[@DapperDanLovesYou]

That Chris Wall Sweetbrass sounded so melodic and smooth. Less harsh, more shiny and round!

[@realwoodyhughes]

That Chris Wall... definitely.

[@pedretejb2492]

I love the Killarney ones, they sound so smooth and sweet. I think that each one of them all has its own personality; I've enjoyed listening to every single one

[@EddyW01]

The Chris Wall is by far the best. The octave change sounds so smooth and overall a wonderful tone.

[@Pollyk]

I really like the sound of the Clarke original.. I have a Sweetone Clarke

[@celesteextenebris4822]

the Clarke Original is my favourite, I have it too and it's the one I mostly use. It has the sweetest, most airy sound and is more easy going on the high notes

[@holianmj]

Look at this...www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/whistles/inexpensive/Clarke/Tweeked/tweeked.htm

[@shimmeringreflection]

Agreed, and it's made of tin, which is the whole point!

[@marklammas2465]

All conical bore instruments tend to be less harsh up in the high register. They are often better tuned, as well, though that is not guaranteed. The octaves are often more accurate.

[@brookestock3929]

Clarke original is quite nice, but I find it a lot easier to run out of breath with. And unfortunately it’s not tunable, which I find to be a major downside!

[@shalomjj]

Check out a tweaked by Jerry Freeman.

[@jwoodfin1]

The Killarney Nickel was my favorite!

[@paulmdevenney]

Once more all I hear is that "it's the player, not the instrument". Honestly even the £6 one sounded good in your hands.

[@shatteredglasssculpture]

It's not the listeners it's the speakers

[@1Flyingfist]

@@shatteredglasssculpture That being said, the Dixon sounded alright for the price. 🤔

[@jamierice9952]

@@1Flyingfist the dx005 is a good whistle

[@ethanbos08]

I personally liked the sweet brass the best

[@allenorcutt5495]

The notes didn't become super clean and crisp till you hit the Dixon dx005. They all sounded good and she did her best to mitigate the tone differentiation in the upper octaves but you could still hear it in the less expensive whistles

[@wgandy9541]

The Chris Wall Sweet Brass is by far the best in my opinion. It has the least amount of chiff and has the purest sounding notes. I know the traditional Irish music lovers like the chiff but I like playing many genre's of music and less chiff is my preference. Thanks for the side by side comparison of these D whistles!

[@piperian3962]

It made me want to run out and buy one.

[@carlitoskii]

@@piperian3962 It can last more than 3 years to be made so you would wait a lot sadly.

[@SlyDogStudios]

What is chiff?

[@wgandy9541]

@@SlyDogStudios Chiff: the initial sound made by air leaving the mouth of a wind instrument (such as an organ, flue pipe or a flute or a whistle) at the beginning of a note The chiff is a sudden, short-lived burst of upper harmonics that occurs whenever a note is sounded.

[@SlyDogStudios]

@@wgandy9541 Thank you! Yeah, definitely would like less of that haha

[@Dungeons_and_Crawdads]

I've been interested in the Tin Whistle for many years but could never get one due to parents or roommates.. luckily my wife and 2 year old don't care. Lol. I've been watching your videos for the last 3 days for comparisons, songs to learn, beginners guides and everything in between. Just ordered the Woodi High D Whistle (after seeing your video) and the Clarke Sweetone High D. So excited to learn how to play! Keep the videos up!!

[@davidhunt6508]

They say they don't care now, just wait till you get it and start practicing. Lucky for you the 2 year old probably can't voice their opinion much. Pretty much all practice I do has to be sans wife.

[@heebieggs]

Buying my wife noise cancelling headphones for Christmas. It's a present for me really

[@1Gazy]

@@heebieggs you made me laugh hard 🤣

[@usernamemykel]

@@heebieggs Heck, just trade her in for a different wife.

[@MariaBotova]

Oh my, it does not matter which one you play - they all sound sweet in your hands. For my ear Clarke Original has the most distinctive sound and character - it’s not for everybody, but I like it very much.

[@metebalci]

I watched this and purchased a Dixon DX005, and it is my first whistle. Very much liked it, thanks for this video.

[@Dungeons_and_Crawdads]

I will also say I think the Carbony and Chris Wall sound the best. I like the Dixon as well, but the 2 former have such an amazing tone, and transition into the 2nd octave very well!

[@davidhunt6508]

I think the carbony sounded good, but almost too perfect. Like it didn't have the character that some of the others did.

[@tuathaigh-aa]

$75 really is not bad at all! I think I like the sound of the Chris Wall best.

[@abcthe3rd967]

I LOVE THE ASHOKAN FAREWELL!!! I could put this video on repeat and listen to it for hours. Thank you!

[@usernamemykel]

Why not learn it and play it whenever you're in the mood? Then play the theme from "Titanic", or "Shenandoah"

[@SeekerLancer]

I liked the Chris Wall and both Killarney ones a lot. The Dixon was nice too especially for its price point. The Clarke Sweetone is the undisputed king of the cheap whistles.

[@benjaminmoseslieb9856]

Watched this randomly from the Ashokan Center while researching whistles ;)

[@willowraevynwood865]

That was a great video! I listened while I was working and I could hardly make out a difference between the whistles. I honestly liked the sound of the cheaper ones a bit more than the more expensive whistles. I think the Chris Wall sounded the best overall though.

[@melissaoleary8196]

I only recently found out tin whistle existed. The first place I found to buy one (hadn't found your channel yet) was in Killarney, so I bought the Killarney in nickel. It is the only thing I have from my homeland and I love the Irish postage stamps as well. So, it does hold a special meaning to me. That said, Chris Wall sweetbrass is my way top favorite, all the way. Thank you for your tutorials, I just about practice every day in between my farm work or at the end of a long day. I have yet to coax any faeries out of the woods, but I will keep trying. Many sweet thanks to you!

[@johnpitt9749]

Y'know, of the many tunes I've learned from your channel, I think "Ashokan Farewell" is my favorite. Just a lovely basic melody that holds up to all sorts of experimentation with ornaments. And it sounds fantastic on any whistle, we now know!

[@Alces_alces]

A brilliant way to compare whistles and with an amazing tune! Thank you, Stephanie! You're amazing.

[@skymantelevision9654]

I loved Killarney Brass. It has the sharpest notes quality. And to be very honest I didn't like the wood one.

[@clancywoodbine5343]

Honestly I found it much too bright-sounding

[@walwegs1020]

I tried some of the shown High-D whistles (Clark, Dixon, Killarney) and was not very impressed with tonal quality. My favourites are (all perfect in tune and tuneable - otherwise its not funny to play in a session, when you're sharp and quite unbearable all the time): Susato Kildare (ABS plastic) - very strong and clear, not so good if you're looking for a smooth, warm sound Burke Brass Session - sweet, a little bit more narrow sound, but very distinctive, very easy to play in the high octave Gene Milligan (Ebony, Delrin mouthpiece - quiet/practice mouthpiece) - a little bit breathy in the lower octave, very sweet and clear (both!!) in the higher octave, very easy and responsive to play Roy McManus (Ebony) - strong lower octave, strong and a little bit breathy higher octave, very distinctive sound, needs more pressure but gives you a lot of creative freedom (my favourite)

[@marklammas2465]

I would like to try a McManus, but I've never encountered a local player who has one.

[@SPW1981]

Interesting comparison. I think in general higher prices do translate into better quality, but prices rise much more significantly than quality. Personally I love wooden whistles. My favourite whistles are from Jon Swayne. Keep up the great work on your channel!

[@stokiepeas]

The Dixon sounds amazing for the price, I think.. I love my carbony whistle, though. It is hard to justify spending so much on a whistle after hearing the Dixon though. The Chris wall was my second favourite, but it sounds so quiet on the lowest few notes? Beautiful tune, also. I had the privilege to accompany a great violinist playing this at a friend's wedding, but on ukulele. It was also played at a friend's mums funeral. Sound so nice on the whistle

[@eugene-d]

Agree. To my amateur ear the sound was the most meaty with Dixon. Don't see any advantages in more expensive pieces. Also material seems to play more difference than the brand (price). As usual.

[@Simon-vt1zp]

This was really interesting, hearing them beside each other. Low D would be good. I love this channel ❤️

[@gartmorn]

What was the name of the tune. It wasn't in the links on screen! 🤣

[@killrail]

@@gartmorn it's Ashokan Farewell

[@bench_doxie]

@@gartmorn Here is the link you are looking for. It is a lovely tune. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX-xo2RuYqpseLc

[@gk411]

Nice tune 🎶 nicely played 👏 ♥ I have a weston African blackthorn that plays really nice but requires a lot of air.. 🇮🇪 ✌️ ☺

[@mheermance]

They honestly all sound good, but I have a slight preference for the Chris Wall Sweetbrass. The air requirements on the Clark always seem high to me, so as you were playing I felt like I was out of breath.

[@HymnWhistle]

Low D follow up would be great. I found it most interesting when you hit the low octave D and compared the loudness. I also thought it interesting how the wood whistle was way different to the metal and polymer whistles.

[@DonLoughran]

Thanks for the excellent comparisons. Very helpful. Love those Carbony whistles!

[@hopefulhyena3400]

I got the Clark yesterday as an impulse buy and it’s good to see that it’s possible to make it sound nice. Damn. I guess that’s what practice sounds like.

[@JojoChinchillaBurger]

Wasn’t expecting Ashokan Farewell, pleasantly surprised. Sounded amazing.

[@atomicasliver3090]

I loved the comparisson. Tough clearly there are differences, there are not proportional with the cost of the instruments. A talented musician like you can make sound beatiful any of those.

[@MegaYakuza28]

Started learning how to play the penny whistle ever since COVID kicked off. CutiePie has been such a great teacher! Best channel on KZbin for penny whistling! (Is that a thing? penny whistling, did I just make that up?)

[@justCommando]

That was a great video because you demonstrated each flute with the name and prices on screen, less hunting for me to do. I like the brass ones, even the cheap ones sounded nice.

[@annewright7291]

You commented to someone's question about your preferred whistle if you could have only one. Thank you. I have now ordered the Chris Wall. I want a quieter whistle as I have a new cat who is rather nervous. Previous cat would leave the room when I first began playing, but did learn to accept it if I didn't play for too long, but I think this cat will be different!

[@JW-nw1sf]

Low whistle comparison would be nice, i was thinking about getting one, but yes the price is a little bit high, so it would be nice to know if there is a cheap one with nice tone

[@soslothful]

I suggest searching Becker Whistles. I have a low D four other whistles form James. They are handmade form white PVC. Mellow tone and very affordable. Here... www.beckerwhistles.com Another make with modest prices... www.goldfinch.eu Poland

[@SirWeasel]

Thank you for the comparison! I liked the Chris Wall Sweetbrass most and I am also a fan of the sound of the Dixon whistle - I have a DX006 which sounds familiar. :-)

[@melodywhistle9017]

I have been watching this channel for a long time and remember all these whistles)) and even now when I saw them all, the chris wall and clarke original remain my love

[@bench_doxie]

Thanks for doing the comparisons. I find it helpful to hear the same song on each.

[@giggsbest2891]

Thank you for making this comparison，I should say I love DIXON Dx005

[@ivanivan3770]

It's just unbelievable that an 8€ flute, like Clarke Sweetone, sounds so amazing. Thanks for the video and the tutorial, from Spain.

[@jaytarzwell7628]

I just ordered a brass Killarney Whistle in D based on your video. I have a 25-year-old one I picked up at the Shannon Airport for a few pounds but want to move to the next step with a solid whistle. Thanks for the demo.

[@petoperceptum]

I've got a couple of Dixons and they are really nice. They also make a good choice for a child as they sound nice (important if you have to listen to them practice) and can stand up to a bit of carelessness, especially the monobody ones.

[@mishfripps3803]

Beautifully edited! Loved hearing the differences, because I've often wondered if spending more money makes that much of a change. I can see by your body language some whistles take more effort. Tx you. (PS I ordered the Carbony yesterday...😳🥳)

[@robinkhalawan3564]

Very nice and helpful demo. Thanks.

[@doomgod314]

I'm interested in an affordable instrument I can pack in my bag when I'm outdoors for weeks. I'm also very Irish so this sounds like an interesting place to start. Thank you for your recommendations.

[@jettimite]

Fantastic video. Thank you. I have two Carbony whistles, a D and an A. I’ve met Rob a few times, he lives about forty minutes away. Super smart guy - and good piper!

[@mikkibates7854]

Thank you! I always recommend the step up to the Clark D with the wooden fipple for people who need a little less piercing top notes with their beginners. We have a few of them as well. Great comparison. Thank you!

[@bhgardeners]

I have been playing generation whistles for years it's all the expense that I could justify for a simple but enjoyable hobby, just lately reading comments and trying to improve I decided OK perhaps they, the session players are right and a quality whistle would make a difference , I was not however convinced. I listened to the comments and it became a choice between a whistle costing over £200 and a Killarney whistle at about £80 which many of the tutors on you tube seem to favour. Well the Killarney brass d duly arrived as a Christmas present. Removing it from the black pouch and my granddaughter , 9 years, immediately said "wow a gold whistle" It certainly looks as though it is gleaming like gold. But surely the real test is in the sound-my wife dislikes my whistle playing ,she hates the high sound which appears to hurt her very sensitive ears- I played a few notes, a quick tune, the whistle shone like gold and it played the same I loved it immediately, the sound ,the feel the weight of it and low and behold ,my wife commentated, "that sounds better!!!" I am 73 I play Irish music purely for the love of it and my own pleasure (in the upstairs bedroom away from sensitive ears!) I am endorsing this whistle simply because not being a pro I really did not know if paying for an expensive whistle was worth the effort many other "fun "players will also wonder. Well I cannot wait to get back to my new Killarney whistle ,I love it, not more than the wife, but close!

[@wawa0cc9915]

Excellent video! I just ordered a Killarney brass whistle for my girl friend who has Irish roots. Love and support from Canada!

[@AnnemieM]

Thank you for this interesting Demonstration. This showed me that the most expensive is not always tops. I like the Clark Original the best and thank to you dear lady I am going to buy it. Bless you.

[@lurdescruz5474]

The Chris Wall is really sweet, lovely !!!

[@IndigoDerg888]

I absolutely love listening to you play! It brings back memories of when I got my first bamboo whistle. I don't know why, but hearing tin whistles always brings a tear to my eye.

[@kathleenheidenreich5897]

great comparison. I too liked the Chris Wall Sweet brass

[@skyricharde6629]

I got my Clarks original in a toyshop in Cornwall for £7 and it's still my favorite whistle. After years being carried in my boot it's got a little crook in it, and the fipple has gone a bit loose and requires readjustments every now and then...but it has such a sweet sound I can't bare to give it up...

[@ewoudvanaalst4089]

The Chris wall was probably my favorite. I only have two cheap D whistles (Clarke original and sweettone). My most expensive whistle is actually a Susato Oriole Bb. Because... Bb. Bb is best key

[@soslothful]

Bb! YES! On an icy sidewalk C# or Bb.

[@juzinhabio89]

Oh wow same! I have a high D clarke sweetone and a Susato Oriole Bb too. It was expensive as hell for me but I love it because it's the perfect sound, not too high nor too low, and the whistle isnt too small but also not too big that would make it harder to play.

[@usernamemykel]

@@soslothful THAT is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ArcadioJacobino]

These comparison videos of yours are extremely useful. Gonna splash out on a brass Killarney now. Cheers!

[@iamkathyo]

Thank You for the comparisons... They are so helpful to a newcomer to choose a preferred sound. Any other comparisons would also be appreciated so I can develop an ear for the tones. You are so generous with all of your instructions and demo's... You are the BEST Coach/Instructor that I have found on the internet!

[@thisone9]

Love my Dixon and I own plenty of far more expensive whistles. Chris Wall is nice but I prefer his composite version. The brass is too chiffy for me. Killarney is great but to thin for my comfort. Love the weight, though. Carbony is so easy to play it takes your breath away because there is absolutely no back pressure-many breaths! I do like my O'Brien wood and Delrin whistles. My Burke is great by clogs easily. The Whistle Tutor loves Humphreys. Would like to try!

[@yarnhobbit8862]

Making me feel better about my growing collection of whistles! As long as I have fewer than you, I'm ok

[@heatherjones5983]

Chris Wall Sweetbrass🎶😍👍🏻and after that, Clarke Original👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@glenndent6626]

Aho Stephanie, This is a wonderful song. After rewatching your tutorial for it I think it's doable on my High Spirits high C Native American style flute sense it has a better range into the second octave than anything else I've got in N.A.F.. Of course I'll also be playing it on my Clark C whistle so as to check my work for accuracy. As for your whistle comparisons, I'm partial to the Killarney and the Setanta whistles. Be well Toksa Akhe Mitakuye

[@melkilgore]

That’s going to really help when I am ready to buy a new one! Thank you SO very much!

[@sandman0123]

Thanks, Stephanie! I loved the sound of the Chris Wall Sweetbrass. Sweet indeed! Not as loud as many others but it sounded very clear. For the budget choice, the Clarke Sweetone seems hard to beat. Unlike some other commenters, I didn't like the breathy sound of the Original. Of course, there is more to them than just the tonal quality so I'd understand if pro players may spring for one of the more expensive ones...

[@owlflaps7980]

They all sound awesome! but to be fair, I am more impressed with the Lego Castle in the background :D

[@grantray4789]

Thank you. I bought Dixon DX005 high D pro.

[@linhuskun]

Amazona vídeo! There's a huge difference! I have a cheap whistle but I'm planning to buy a DX005 soon, and this video just motivated me! Thanks stephanie

[@BigFatDynamo82]

Ashoken Farewell? I will listen alllllllllll day on repeat!

[@meredithheath5272]

Thank you for doing this valuable test! I can really hear the difference between the whistles!! (Clark? Too harsh and has "breathy" over/ undertones... For the "cheaper" side, I like the Chris Wall, too; it's tones seem a tad lower, smoother, and soulful.)) I like the Killarney Nickel or Brass the best!)

[@19grand]

Love your videos CP learning loads.

[@joemorton9217]

The carbon fiber is so so so cool! It wasn’t my favorite sound but I have a carbon fiber guitar and a carbon fiber ukulele so now I want a carbon whistle 😂. Great video 💖🙏💖.

[@gigibmt]

Thank you so much for all these valuable contents. I'm a tinwhistle starter abroad and I'm starting with sweet tone. Hope to be successfull indeed. Regards.

[@charlotteolsson]

Waiting for my new Dixon! Love the sound of Chris Wall, but since I'm allergic to nickel I haven't dared buying a brass one....yet.

[@Yowzoe]

I’m so glad you mentioned a metal allergy. I’ve got a find a way to test the nickel on the brass before I think about getting either. I hate the weird taste of some metals in my mouth, and even when I touch them I notice a difference…

[@mazkraut9776]

Nice to hear them in comparison, thank you! I'd be interested in hearing your Bb whistles next to each other! :)

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

I only have 2, the susato and the carbony :)

[@sepsax]

(-: This was extremely helpful for me to decide. Thank you very much for recording it.

[@braillynn]

The sound and look of that Carbony! 😍

[@svenm1592]

So beautiful, I love the Dixon

[@pascruze2002]

Thank you so much for this very interesting comparison of your tin whistles.

[@jollyswashbuckler]

The song at 355 is ashokan farewell ahh it reminds me of the old wild west from the Missouri to the rockie mountains of colorodo

[@Denise-SA]

Awesome! I totally enjoyed this.

[@danmcmillan2241]

Thank you for the comparison. I enjoyed your video very much.

[@raen6122]

This was exactly what I needed, thanks for making this video!

[@siempretrato]

I want one of these. I love its clear sound.

[@alankingwell]

Thank you for this , so good to hear the comparisons . Nicely played too 👍

[@soslothful]

Very nice. I suggest a more rigorous comparison would be to play the whistles unseen and unnamed. It is too easy to form ideas about a whistles quality just on it name or maker.

[@whixyna]

Hey! Thank you for this video! It was the most useful one I could find this year...Pity I have just bought a Tony Dixon Nickel whistle, I would have considered DX005 or the Chris Wall Sweetbrass...or the Killarney Nickel. They sound way much better than the DX Cupro...and now I see the Sweetbrass is even tuneable...(Yep, I've just found your Sweetbrass review :( ) Well anyway, so much better and more useful to see comparison videos above single reviews. Really-really grateful for you and for this video! (now I know what I'll ask for Christmas :D :D )

[@Tarot22Estrellas]

I like the Chriss Wall and the Killarney tin whistle. I'm in love with them!

[@shoey6666]

I had you on my second screen as I worked, and was surprised as I glanced across to see you playing a different one each time. The only one where a noticeable change in sound made me glance across was the elm one, as it has a weaker, less rich tone than the others, which to me sound pretty much identical.

[@debpeck9574]

Love your videos informative and so lovely to listen

[@Bluebell940]

Just found your channel, and you've inspired me to pick up a whistle! I've been looking for my instrument and this may finally be it ❤ i used to play recorder when i was little so i'm excited to give it a go. Thanks! I'll be back to learn from you

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Make sure you get a D whistle! ❤️❤️

[@Bluebell940]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle ahh thank you! Appreciate it 🙏🥳

[@kingoimkenya]

I like the Setanta. Warm and clear.

[@LittleJoeTheMoonlightCat]

Chris Wall Sweetbrass, the 1 most used on this Channel. I think it's Because It's a Quiet Whistle, And Doesn't Require much air to get the Notes out.

[@cognitiongnosis7313]

I love all the Clarke tin whistles , they are so relaxing

[@darkgael0]

I liked the Carbony....I picked one up years ago; I amazed how the price of one nowadays (12/20). That being said, i picked up one of the new close fingered low Ds....my new favorite.

[@WilliamWallaceRoss]

I have the Original Clarke Sweetone, however, I don't like the ridge on the back, finding it uncomfortable. The Chris Wall Sweet Brass has a nice mellow sound and I will have to give it a look. Still getting that breathing down for all the notes, but, I am 69 yrs old and a beginner.

[@Roddy1965]

I have an older Dixon, and it's a really nice playing whistle.

[@debpeck9574]

One last think I have a gorgeous Howard high d brass penny whistle that I bought decades ago have never seen one since. I’ve barely played it as it’s heavy and not the easiest but comparable to a Sunday or cobra in quality and sound

[@Elasciapurgrattar]

My top 3: 1) Clarke Original; 2) Dixon DX005; 3) Setanta.

[@Rain_86]

I think I'm in love............ With English Elm woodwind. ✌🧐 🌳

[@ForeverinChristourLord]

That Dixon sounds lovely.

[@msk-qp6fn]

Considering that everything else is pretty much has a metallic body, it makes Dixon's sound a lot more impressive, especially for the price.

[@noblepope]

This is such a useful video. Thanks!