Beginner Question

gwen · Post by **gwen** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:16 pm

Hi!
I've only had my whistle for about 24 hours and I have a question. How am I supposed to hold the thing in my mouth? I used to play clarinet and I suspect old habits are causing me trouble... Am I supposed to tuck in my top lip over my teeth? How about the bottom lip? Also, how tight am I supposed to hold it in my mouth? Thanks for the help!
Gwen

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:21 pm

No need to hold it tightly, really just hold it in place with your lips. You don't need to bite it like you would on a Clarinet. Just tuck your teeth under your lips and hold it very loosely.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:40 pm

The thing about whistle is you don't use your mouth/lips to hold it in place. Some people put down their bottom pinky to hold it, while others like to keep their bottom-hand ring finger down on notes where it won't affect the pitch.

A good example of the pinky technique can be found here.

mutepointe · Post by **mutepointe** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:10 pm

dear gwen:

welcome. where, how, why, and which whistle did you get?

mutepointe.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:43 pm

Nice to meet you gwen.

My tutorial book says to put the whistle between your lips only as far as necessary to seal the opening, about 1/4". Your teeth should be well behind that very front part of your lips. Teeth and lips are in the places they are naturally. No tucking lips under teeth or teeth under lips (?)

. No biting on mouthpiece with teeth. Your lips should seal around the opening and be slightly firm but relaxed. As Congrats says, your lips are not supporting the whistle, your hands do that. And be sure you keep those hands relaxed. That is my biggest problem.

Why do clarinet players need to bite their mouthpiece? Are there other instruments like that? What effect does it have? What would happen if they didn't bite it? Just curious.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:54 pm

Cynth wrote:Why do clarinet players need to bite their mouthpiece? Are there other instruments like that? What effect does it have? What would happen if they didn't bite it? Just curious.

Most every reed-instrument works like that. It has to do with the fact that embourchure counts so much for those instruments, and how the lips meet the mouthpiece is everything.

chas · Post by **chas** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:19 am

Cynth wrote: Why do clarinet players need to bite their mouthpiece? Are there other instruments like that? What effect does it have? What would happen if they didn't bite it? Just curious.

When playing clarinet, you need to provide the right amount of pressure to keep the reed vibrating with the right amplitude against the moutnpiece. Have you ever heard the squeaks that a novice clarinet player makes and that are so irritating? Those happen because the novice hasn't built up his chops enough to keep the reed in control.

gwen · Post by **gwen** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:44 am

I have a "Tweaked Sweetone". I am really enjoying it and have had to order 2 more for my daughters!
Gwen

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:12 am

Thanks for the clarinet info folks. I have never played an instrument like that so I just couldn't imagine. Having to keep the pressure on the reed just right! All I would need is one more problem!

Yes, I have definitely heard those squeaks.

You and your daughters will have a good time. It's nice to have something that eveyone wants to take part in.

cutterpup · Post by **cutterpup** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:55 pm

Another beginner here..still waiting for my whistles to show up. As for biting down with the clarinet, I can still remember when I was learning how to do this and the number of reeds I split using too much pressure. At least my rcorders don't have reeds (well not counting the block they don't).
Judy

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:53 pm

gwen wrote:I have a "Tweaked Sweetone". I am really enjoying it and have had to order 2 more for my daughters!
Gwen

That's a great first whistle. I can say that with full authority (yet limited objectivity) because it was my first whistle.

Have fun.

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:01 pm

Cynth wrote: My tutorial book says to put the whistle between your lips only as far as necessary to seal the opening, about 1/4". Your teeth should be well behind that very front part of your lips. Teeth and lips are in the places they are naturally. No tucking lips under teeth or teeth under lips (?) . No biting on mouthpiece with teeth. Your lips should seal around the opening and be slightly firm but relaxed. As Congrats says, your lips are not supporting the whistle, your hands do that. And be sure you keep those hands relaxed.

I tell you, you just can't beat advice like that! Cynth, you did a good job!

I can't improve on that advice, Gwen, but in the very unlikely possibility that you remain unable to control your whistle adequately after all that, let me know.

I'm working on a whistle-holding head-harness right now. By means of a series of adjustable straps which go round the head, a whistle-holding attachment fits up snugly to the mouth. The whistle body is inserted through a slot in the front of that. All models come with a quick-release device so that you can eat and drink normally between tunes, or even switch to flute without having to take the whole darned contraption off your head.

Optional attachments will include "Vermont-style" hearing protection flaps, a discrete halogen headlight to facilitate reading tune sheets in dark pubs, and--a feature older whistlers will surely appreciate--flip-down reading glasses in your choice of strengths.

thirdfipple · Post by **thirdfipple** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:42 pm

Lambchop surely the beta version will also have mountings for the ear buds from the ipod, in addition to a fitting from which which to hang the cd remote control

uhmm does this mean i get a cut of the action?

please donate my share to the Wisely Wishful Whistling Wowsers (W4) foundation, a 501Z3 could-never-make-a-prophet

(sorry I will be stumbling back to the poststructural pub now, just visiting)

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:01 pm

thirdfipple wrote:Lambchop surely the beta version will also have mountings for the ear buds from the ipod, in addition to a fitting from which which to hang the cd remote control

They'll fit right into the ear flaps. Remove the ear plugs and insert the buds . . . voila!

I'll work on that CD remote control first thing in the morning! What an excellent idea!

uhmm does this mean i get a cut of the action?

Absolutely!

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:14 am

Hi Lambchop, can't wait for it to make it out of beta. What kind woods will the brace be made of?

Perhaps you could include a series of clips above the ears to hold extra whistles and a cup-holder for the Guiness?

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