HOW TO PLAY LOW WHISTLE | Exercises, Stretches and Piper's Grip

[@kennethgillespie4468]

I am 74 and have been playing the high D whistle for about 2 years. I bought a low D whistle about the same time, and I put the low D whistle down shortly thereafter. I recently watched your video and within a very short time, I was playing Danny Boy and starting to play the melody of Bohemian Rhapsody, thanks to you. To be able to finally play the low D has made my day. Thank you. My low D whistle is a Tony Dixon brand.

[@skadan113]

Thank you! Sheesh, I've been sitting here for the past few days with my new low whistle thinking that I know I don't have huge hands, but there's just no WAY most peoples' hands are big enough to play these things. And of course... there's a method to it. As usual, I should have come here first. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos to show these things to us. You are much appreciated.

[@alexishopkins526]

Just got my first low whistle and I was really struggling. Thank you!

[@randyayers4820]

I know this is an older video but just ordered my first Low D whistle, an ivolga wood whistle, and this is where I came to first. Your videos have helped me with high D whistle as they are concise, fun, and easy to follow. I have been playing the high D for a few months and have learned the Star of County Down, the Skye Boat Song, Concerning Hobbits, Hunters moon and a few more that I have been able to sound out like Do you hear what I hear and Drummer boy, all thanks to your videos....so just wanted to let you know your videos are appreciated. My wife likes to hear me practice when I get home from work even with the squeels and screeches..although those have gotten to be much much less over the months.

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

@@randyayers4820 thank you, that means a lot. I hope you're still enjoying it!

[@fenderflyer]

Thank you so much Stephanie. You really are a gem, and a very talented one, at that.

[@agram420]

Ordered a jdm low d today can play 4 song in the regular d so well see how it goes.. fingers crossed hehe

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

JDM have just updated their whistles, they're easier to reach now and sound so much better too! :) Good first choice! Just stick with it if you can't reach straight away - it'll come, just keep playing!!

[@alexiscampbell6497]

Thanks again Stephanie, so helpful in preparation for my Low G coming! Can’t wait!

[@marthawright5938]

Thank you! I’ve been struggling to stretch on the low D. Have played clarinet and high D for years and thought I could just learnt to stretch. But it’s so much leas stretch with pipers grip! just need to get used to it now

[@BruhMakesGlass]

I’ve had mine a week and just found this, i came up with something similar thankfully

[@fredsmedley]

Great timing Stephanie. Took delivery of my first Low D Whistle (Shearwater) today so this video is exactly what I needed. Thanks.

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Glad I could help.

[@kickasscorm]

I am genuinely a fan of you and your videos. Still a noob but definitely your videos have helped me. Gonna focus on the basics and get good. Please keep sharing these amazing videos

[@mazkraut9776]

Great Stephanie! That was just what I needed - the transition from lower to higher octave is the place where a heavy whistle sort of drops out of my mouth, haha... ! :)

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Yes, it's always a problem. I even had that problem when I first started out with high whistles too!

[@dcuccia]

Great tips, Stephanie, thank you. Just got a Setanta low D for my birthday yesterday, and the the piper's grip doesn't seem that daunting, but the muscle under my right thumb keeps cramping after just a few mins. Switching from a high-D and maybe it's just the weight and takes easing in.

[@davidmolloy126]

Hiya Stephanie, thanks for the video. I found that after getting my first low whistle, breaking the octave cleanly was the biggest challenge. It's not quite as simple as blowing harder but the smoothness of the transition which I found problematic. But as you said it's practise that's the key, and also experimentation I find really important like zipping up and down the whistle seeing what it, and I can do, and then maybe taking some of it further into tunes, etc. Hope that makes sense!!? XXX❤️

[@macronencer]

Wow, this is so useful! Thank you very much. Actually although I'm learning whistle, piano is my main instrument and I also have a little arthritis now... so I think those stretches might be extremely beneficial!

[@Rich..]

Could you PLLLEASE do a tutorial on Jethro Tulls - The Whistler. I've been trying to find tabs for it everywhere

[@CamejoJesus]

Thank you very much! You have helped me a lot Stephanie. I recently bought my first Low Whistle (Susato) and couldn't play a thing.

[@davidpearson2507]

Thanks for this, looks like it will be really helpful. My first low whistle arrived today (Dixon TB003) and will take some getting used to and lots of practice!

[@johnmoss4624]

Also with the hand stretching exercises, I immediately recognized them, they are exercises I already do to try to combat the effects of carpal tunnel. Anybody with a desk job probably should be doing these already

[@mcwuff3456]

Thank you so much. It's great to control and learn again. This was very helpfully.

[@carlot7999]

Extremely well explained ! Thanks for those useful tips👍🥰

[@ytliekb]

Friday video for Low D... nice! Now I have to go practice.

[@johnmoss4624]

I had wondered why some of the bigger whistles from better manufacturers came with thumb rests, but I get it now. I was a little intimidated by the concept of having to learn the Piper's grip, but after watching this it doesn't seem so complicated.

[@akemiongaku8249]

Thank you very much I finally have a low whistle and this is going to help me a lot... your videos are all ways helpful...chears...

[@leech77]

Is there an “easy” low whistle brand that you would recommend? I have a susato low D with the elongated holes on the bottom hand. I also play the GHB, so no stranger to the piper grip, but my skinny fingers just don’t like this whistle!

[@mheermance]

I already play low whistle, so I watched this at double speed to see Stephanie's method. She's twice as perky and upbeat at that tempo! Nice earrings by the way.

[@tashaforbes6274]

Was it helpful? YESSSSSSSSS!!!! My low D whistle arrived today and I was a little freaked out to be honest lol. I have tried the piper's grip but for the bottom hand the stretch to the lowest hole is impossible so I have to play that hole with my pinky. But thanks for putting the finger stretching exercises in, I didn't think of doing that!

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

You'll probably get there eventually! Finger span definitely improves over time 😊 keep at it. You can also buy little keys to go over individual holes too, might be worth looking into? x

[@tashaforbes6274]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle Great, thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement, you are such a big help. If it weren't for you I don't know if I would have really started the tin whistle! I also really like the low whistle because it sounds similar to flute, which I can no longer really play. Definitely worth the effort!

[@tashaforbes6274]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle I did about 2 hours practice on the low whistle today (in a few separate blocks!) and my fingers are getting used to the stretch and the piper's grip technique! I can even play The Wellerman now!!! Yay!!!

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

@@tashaforbes6274 YES!!! Keep at it, you'll be there in no time! You won't even remember the time you couldn't reach before long! :) xx

[@javierdejesusahumadareyes3422]

A question, can I get the natural C note by blowing OXXOOO?

[@Amoybill]

Ha--I was believing I had a Low D from Hell--or a fake Sasato! (It's possible!). I've no problem with a high D but even with my very large hands, I just could not get the notes clearly --especially the lowest one. I made rapid progress, however, after watching this video once. You cover all the basics so well. I only bought the Low D Sasato because I'd been so encouraged by your tutorial videos with my low D that I was curious to try others. Thanks once again for a great video.

[@dougbrady949]

Hi. Just bought my first low whistle in d. Do you do online lessons? Played the piano for 10 years and then I played the electric bass for several years and now I want to cap it off with the Irish whistle . Thanks in advance

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

I have some options available yes. If you can either email me or direct message me on one of my socials we can discuss what might be suitable for you 😊 you'll find all my socials and email on my KZbin profile page under the 'about' section: youtube.com/@CutiepieTinWhistle?si=ysGugapkpDuEQFf4

[@almatka1]

Thank for The answer!!! It is perfect :-) I will wait I know it is a bit fast 😀

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

If you'd like to try and learn it sooner, there are some tutorials already on KZbin by other tin whistle teachers too :) that's where I'll try and learn from I expect. I hope that's helpful too :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3W0ZqlonJdmaLc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp7XqXuwlr9pd6c

[@dymphnaoherlihy108]

Great video

[@jandunn169]

I just got my Lir low whistle. It is beautiful but puts stress on my lower thumb joint as I am in my 70's. But boy what a sound when it resonates....I having trouble putting the middle finger of the lower right hand on the second pad for some reason

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Pick up a thumb rest! It might really help you out. Check out my latest review on the Susato low D to get an idea of how they work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnendKGjnKaZr80si=n8r4u5jcawoWoxZP You can buy thumb-rests and tone hole keys separately too. www.etsy.com/uk/listing/887811913/tone-hole-key-and-thumb-rest-easy-reach Or just the rest: bigwhistle.co.uk/product/carbony-whistle-thumb-rest/ x

[@jandunn169]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle thank you sooooo much. I will check them out. I love your fun and instructive videos.

[@jandunn169]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle Thank you so much for this information. I think I just need the tone hole key.

[@007MrMISHI]

Hi, Stephanie ! Greetings from Georgia. Many thanks for posting all these invaluable lessons. Just got my Tony Dixon low D TB012. I have my work cut out for me. Question, please. I'm having difficulty with second octave sounding right ( first octave sounds fine). especially as I approach the higher notes. Is this just a matter of improving my skill at breath control ? Thanks. Cheers !

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

You just need to get used to the breath requirements of the whistle I imagine. Here's some tips that might help out: kzbin.infoHg_GrFBXcRA?feature=share

[@JanKowalski-xq3bs]

Hello I Love your videos, please listen to Percival - Naranca, and when you will have time make video about it :D THANKS

[@javierdejesusahumadareyes3422]

Can I get the C natural note in a Low whistle by blowing OXXOOO?

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

You can indeed 😊 on a low D whistle anyway.

[@oscarordonezrodriguez5782]

where did u buy the susato? still not find one yet and i love to try a bass one... i have a clarke on d since 2 years and i like to try new things ^^

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Amazon :) you can buy direct from Susato though at www.susato.com/

[@alexanderleahy2097]

I'm wondering, since I've got big enough hands, If for the most part I can use the pads of my fingertips, is it wrong to? Or is that a playing style kind of thing. I'm currently awaiting my Howard Low D whistle, super pumped.

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

If it's comfortable to play with your finger pads that's perfectly fine 😊

[@alexanderleahy2097]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle Figured as much😋 thanks for the clarification

[@julioferrer186]

I am used to play tin whistle, but low whistle i very difficult to me i have just bought one😢

[@DeeDee-ud2rg]

How many Susato kildare do you have? You have both G and D? :-)

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Just a low G.

[@DeeDee-ud2rg]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle perfect!

[@LezioniDiCantoRoma]

Hello I follow you from Italy! I got a Chieftain Low D whistle and it's very hard on my hand! the holes are quite huge but I really love the sound. Do you think that with another low whistle it would easier? I mean maybe the holes are a little bit smaller and the weight could be less heavy? Do you recommend some that could have a similiar sound? Thanks a lot!

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

I'm not sure, I've only ever played three low D whistles, Chris Wall, MKpro and Shearwater, but the holes on my Chieftain low A are very large too. Maybe a Shaw low D, as it's a tapered bore? They have a very breathy sound (similar to some chieftain whistles) but they do need an awful lot of air!

[@LezioniDiCantoRoma]

@@CutiepieTinWhistle Thank you very much! I'll check Shaw low D.. the chieftain is also veeeery heavy.

[@almatka1]

Hi Sweet Stephanie this is very Lovely. Can I Still ask you to put The templehouse on? Being a patron am I allowed to ask a favour Like that? How can I ask for a favour Like that. Should I be more Than a patron? Ok I got your feedback very kind of you 😀

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Hi Judit. I've added it to my to-do list, but it's a very fast tune, so it will take some time to work out how to play it and learn to play it well enough to teach others :)

[@chocknog5763]

Wouldn't Low D Whistles be easier to play if they had an Angled Neck... like some Recorders have?

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

I don't know. It's not so much the distance from the mouthpiece to the fingers...I don't know whether the angled neck would affect the hole spacing...which is for tuning purposes.

[@chocknog5763]

Many Wind instruments have an Angled Neck as it shortens how far a player has to reach to the Holes so why not for Low D Whistles?

[@MrsDallimore08]

Oh I so wish MK made high whistles!

[@abhiramcb5265]

Hey, where can i buy this

[@Goblin_Ghost39]

I struggle with the piper's grip so much

[@homosapien8177]

Can u do a whistle giveaway international......😋

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

I plan to, when I hit 100K subscribers :) hopefully I can afford to giveaway a good quality whistle then :)

[@homosapien8177]

🖒🖒🖒

[@bmiatarola]

Low whistle is a little bit difficult... let's practice!

[@he1i0s]

Your right hand is hidden under screen, can’t see fingers

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

You don't really need to see them...At that point in the video... 😁

[@BassPlayerAvailable]

I bet your neighbours love you

[@CutiepieTinWhistle]

Well..I could be a drummer...Or a saxophonist... 😜