Low Whistle

The low whistle, or concert whistle, is a variation of the traditional tin whistle/pennywhistle, distinguished by its lower pitch and larger size. It is most closely associated with the performances of modern Irish musicians and groups such as Riverdance and Davy Spillane, and is increasingly accepted as a feature of Irish traditional music. In both kinds of music the low whistle is often used for the playing of airs and slow melodies due to its haunting sound. However, it is also becoming used more often for the playing of Irish jigs, reels and hornpipes, it being easier to produce some ornametations on the whistle, due to the size of the finger holes.

The most common low whistle is the "Low D", pitched one octave below the traditional D whistle. A whistle is generally classed as a low whistle if its lowest note is the G above middle C or lower. Whistles higher than this are termed "soprano" or "high" whistles when a distinction is necessary. Low whistles operate on the same principles, and are fingered in the same way as traditional pennywhistles, and therefore also belong to the same woodwind instrument family of end-blown fipple flutes.

Though the tone of this instrument varies subtley among makers, low whistles are generally characterised by a more breathy, flute-like sound than traditional tin whistles.