Thank you for explaining the pipers grip. After playing a high D for years I decided to try a low D. Received it just yesterday and my intuitive approach was dismal. But knowing which pads on the fingers to use I'm getting the hang of it. Now more practicing. The little demo of in the middle of this demo is beautiful, too.
If you have a whistle that's designed for Piper's Grip use and the hole layout is changed so that the bottom holes are closer together (E-Z holes) so that a Piper's Grip is not necessary, it will weaken some of the bottom notes, and I've heard of playability issues on some whistles because of this. The bottom notes are generally the weakest notes anyway on a low D, so you don't really want to lose any volume off them just so you don't have to learn Piper's Grip.
Great wee technique vid I've just bought a Sweetheart low D and have no clue how to hold or blow it. This has been great. Cheers fae the Scottish Highlands.
I use the Pipers' grip technique on a Native American flute (NAF). I could not reach the 6th hole in the Key of G because I have too small hands. A friend recommended the Piper's Grip to me. Each finger plays on a different pad. After a few weeks of practice, I'm starting to do it. Thank you.
I have been wondering what finger pads to use as I play Bb whistle & a pipers chanter. So I found I was holding the low D whistle like a chanter and didn't know if it was right. You have confirmed it . thank you.
When I use Piper's Grip, my wrists are straight, or nearly so. My wrists don't hurt at all when I play. Try adjusting your arms so that your wrists aren't bent. Piper's Grip will feel very natural after a little practice.
The newer Tony Dixon low D's with a conical bore are said to be very ergonomic as far as the hole spacing goes. Hole spacing in conical bore whistles seems to be more non-piper's grip friendly. I'd still learn piper's grip though. It might feel awkward at first, but it becomes very natural very quickly.
so is there any reason other than reach to use the pipers grip? I have large hands and had a low d whistle before but I just got a new one coming in and wanted to learn all I can. thank you.
what do you think of the "e-z" type-you don't have to use a piper grip and can use finger tips on all holes.i heard you can lose a little of a lower "d".if very slight i may go with the e-z.
Would there still be a need for a 'Piper's Grip' if a 60 degree 'Elbow Joint' was installed above the Holes Section? The lower tube that would fit into the 'ElbowJoint' would need to be shortened (due to the extra length of the Elbow Joint) in order to maintain the Low D pitch. Bass Recorders have an Angled Neck or a Crook Neck for the same reason so reducing the length of Low Whistles by 4 or 5 Inches would make the holes easier to reach (try bending a drinking straw 3" from the top).
I'm day 2 on my low D whistle, my hands cramp a lot with the pipers grip, if i relax them too much, i can't make the spread. Any advice please and thank you
Over time you'll find a version of this grip that works. You'll most likely play with which pads work best on which holes. Might use the second pads or first depending on the hole location. Could take a few days or a couple weeks to adapt. Take breaks as needed and be patient with yourself ;)
Is the scale length on a low D whistle similar to that of the tenor recorder? I can reach all the holes on my tenor no problem, it has keys for the low C and the sharp but the whistle only goes down to the D. Thinking whether to pick up a couple of whistles or not.. I'm comfortable with a normal grip, how low is the lowest whistle? Obviously you'd get to a point where even the largest and most flexible fingers couldn't reach every note without keys no matter which grip you use.
I'm guessing it would be similar. Don't have much experience with recorders. The thing you may find is that piper's grip opens up more flexibility to play Irish trad ornaments.
I have a low g whistle and i cannot get my E and D(bottom two) holes cover equally. When i am able to cover one completely i cant get the other covered. The E hole is wider than every other one and that is mostly the problem. My finger isnt wide enough to cover it. am i doing something wrong?
You'll just need to keep at it and adapt slightly to what best suits you. Also, you might start looking for a low G that has smaller finger holes. Though, I have medium sized hands and don't have too much trouble with any low whistle - so.... keep at it :)
![Transitioning from penny whistle to low whistle [Tutorial 1: Piper's Grip]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8QWXZdk-iE8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Transitioning from penny whistle to low whistle [Tutorial 1: Piper's Grip]](/img/tr.png)
Thank you for explaining the pipers grip. After playing a high D for years I decided to try a low D. Received it just yesterday and my intuitive approach was dismal. But knowing which pads on the fingers to use I'm getting the hang of it. Now more practicing. The little demo of in the middle of this demo is beautiful, too.
Hey my Pleasure! I'm no longer contributing to this channel but you can follow me at either Irish Flute Store or Blayne Chastain Thanks!
If you have a whistle that's designed for Piper's Grip use and the hole layout is changed so that the bottom holes are closer together (E-Z holes) so that a Piper's Grip is not necessary, it will weaken some of the bottom notes, and I've heard of playability issues on some whistles because of this. The bottom notes are generally the weakest notes anyway on a low D, so you don't really want to lose any volume off them just so you don't have to learn Piper's Grip.
Just received a low D Tony Dixon for Christmas that was squeaking at the middle D every time I played it. This corrected it. Thanks so much!
Great wee technique vid I've just bought a Sweetheart low D and have no clue how to hold or blow it. This has been great. Cheers fae the Scottish Highlands.
I use the Pipers' grip technique on a Native American flute (NAF).
I could not reach the 6th hole in the Key of G because I have too small hands. A friend recommended the Piper's Grip to me. Each finger plays on a different pad. After a few weeks of practice, I'm starting to do it. Thank you.
I have been wondering what finger pads to use as I play Bb whistle & a pipers chanter. So I found I was holding the low D whistle like a chanter and didn't know if it was right. You have confirmed it . thank you.
This is a great demo, thanks.
When I use Piper's Grip, my wrists are straight, or nearly so. My wrists don't hurt at all when I play. Try adjusting your arms so that your wrists aren't bent. Piper's Grip will feel very natural after a little practice.
The newer Tony Dixon low D's with a conical bore are said to be very ergonomic as far as the hole spacing goes. Hole spacing in conical bore whistles seems to be more non-piper's grip friendly. I'd still learn piper's grip though. It might feel awkward at first, but it becomes very natural very quickly.
Hey, Thanks for that instruction. I wondered about that grip, now I know
Thank you very much. Very informative.
so is there any reason other than reach to use the pipers grip? I have large hands and had a low d whistle before but I just got a new one coming in and wanted to learn all I can. thank you.
Great, thanks for the tutorial!
what do you think of the "e-z" type-you don't have to use a piper grip and can use finger tips on all holes.i heard you can lose a little of a lower "d".if very slight i may go with the e-z.
Would there still be a need for a 'Piper's Grip' if a 60 degree 'Elbow Joint' was installed above the Holes Section? The lower tube that would fit into the 'ElbowJoint' would need to be shortened (due to the extra length of the Elbow Joint) in order to maintain the Low D pitch. Bass Recorders have an Angled Neck or a Crook Neck for the same reason so reducing the length of Low Whistles by 4 or 5 Inches would make the holes easier to reach (try bending a drinking straw 3" from the top).
The issue is more the hole size and spread. Some can manage without piper's grip but for the rest of us mere mortals, piper's grip it is :)
Thank you very much. This was very useful.
thanxz . my right wrist is sore trying to play, feels so uncomfortable. will that ease off?,
Im used to play tin whistle, low whistle fingers IS a bit difficult
Hey!
could you make a video playing that Susato low D whistle?
I would really aprecciate it a lot!
Thanks!
What is the little melody that was played in the middle of this lesson on the pipers grip for low d. It's beautiful.
Thanks! Just a little bit of improv :)
I'm day 2 on my low D whistle, my hands cramp a lot with the pipers grip, if i relax them too much, i can't make the spread. Any advice please and thank you
Over time you'll find a version of this grip that works. You'll most likely play with which pads work best on which holes. Might use the second pads or first depending on the hole location. Could take a few days or a couple weeks to adapt. Take breaks as needed and be patient with yourself ;)
thanks for this.
Is the scale length on a low D whistle similar to that of the tenor recorder? I can reach all the holes on my tenor no problem, it has keys for the low C and the sharp but the whistle only goes down to the D. Thinking whether to pick up a couple of whistles or not.. I'm comfortable with a normal grip, how low is the lowest whistle? Obviously you'd get to a point where even the largest and most flexible fingers couldn't reach every note without keys no matter which grip you use.
I'm guessing it would be similar. Don't have much experience with recorders. The thing you may find is that piper's grip opens up more flexibility to play Irish trad ornaments.
very helpful ,,,thank you ;0)
@match9441 i'm not familiar with "E-Z".
class
What’s the name of the tune you played?
Was a bit of improv :)
@@whistleanddrum wow. thats impressive! That was a lovely tune
I have a low g whistle and i cannot get my E and D(bottom two) holes cover equally. When i am able to cover one completely i cant get the other covered. The E hole is wider than every other one and that is mostly the problem. My finger isnt wide enough to cover it. am i doing something wrong?
You'll just need to keep at it and adapt slightly to what best suits you. Also, you might start looking for a low G that has smaller finger holes. Though, I have medium sized hands and don't have too much trouble with any low whistle - so.... keep at it :)
Thank you for the response! So far ive found that using my first joints to cover the holes works better than any combination of finger pads.
What whistle are you using here?
yeah, still painful and ineffective
elbo pipe,,,,trans