Tweaking a Clarke?

Trixle · Post by **Trixle** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:13 pm

Ok, i dont know much about tweaking whistles at all, barely anything, but i heard a couple of people say that they tweaked their clarke and made it require less breath, which is essentially what i'm looking for, something that sounds like a clark but has the breath requirement of my Generation, or a closer approximation thereof.

Is there anyone out there that can give me detailed instructions of going about that? I've heard some people say they did it with their thumb but wasnt totally sure of the process they're describing. Payday isnt until next week, so i'm trying not to FUBAR what i have before that, lol.

Any help will be appreciated, thanks!

cavefish · Post by **cavefish** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:42 pm

Trixle wrote:Ok, i dont know much about tweaking whistles at all, barely anything, but i heard a couple of people say that they tweaked their clarke and made it require less breath, which is essentially what i'm looking for, something that sounds like a clark but has the breath requirement of my Generation, or a closer approximation thereof.

Is there anyone out there that can give me detailed instructions of going about that? I've heard some people say they did it with their thumb but wasnt totally sure of the process they're describing. Payday isnt until next week, so i'm trying not to FUBAR what i have before that, lol.

Any help will be appreciated, thanks!

well since no one replied i will through my 2 cents in--------------i feel the clarkes are fine-------------but what i did IS soaked the wood block in oil for about a minute ------- it swells up and tightens the airgaps alittle ( it does not really matter) it softend the sound and then i make sure the airway curve is about 1 mm above the wood airway -----------look inline through the mouthpiece and you will see what i mean------other than that they seem to be the most consistant of the inexpensive whistles ------------i have seen

Flywhistler · Post by **Flywhistler** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:28 pm

The Whistleshop sells a tweaked Clarke of their own design. If you go to their web site, they explain the process they go through to tweak one. It may be more involved than you want to do, but at least you can get the idea. Other than that, I'm sure there are a lot of people here that can explain how they flatten the windway. I've never done it myself.

Flywhistler · Post by **Flywhistler** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:32 pm

The Whistleshop sells a tweaked Clarke of their own design. If you go to their web site, they explain the process they go through to tweak one. It may be more involved than you want to do, but at least you can get the idea. Other than that, I'm sure there are a lot of people here that can explain how they flatten the windway. I've never done it myself.

s1m0n · Post by **s1m0n** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:53 pm

You have more than enough breath for a clarke, barring a case of emphysema or asthma.

It's all in your head. Just play it for a while, you'll see.

It also won't hurt to learn to breathe from your diaphragm. If a 60 or 70 year old, one-lunged ex-tubercular lifetime smoker like Packie Manus Byrne can fill a Clarke, anyone can.

WyoBadger · Post by **WyoBadger** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:33 pm

What Simon said. Narrow windway makes the sound a bit purer, takes away some of the air out of the sound. But most clarke players like the air in the sound.

Tom

Trixle · Post by **Trixle** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:06 am

Thanks for the responses, I will check out that website and also reconsider my desire to mess with my clarke. I think i do need to just play more and get used to the breath requirement rather than take the easy way out.

Breathing from my diaphram probably would be a good start, lol. As a guitar player, thinkin about how to breathe while playing has never been much of a consideration, except for those underwater gigs....

cavefish · Post by **cavefish** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:27 am

Trixle wrote:Thanks for the responses, I will check out that website and also reconsider my desire to mess with my clarke. I think i do need to just play more and get used to the breath requirement rather than take the easy way out.

Breathing from my diaphram probably would be a good start, lol. As a guitar player, thinkin about how to breathe while playing has never been much of a consideration, except for those underwater gigs....

If you can play a Clarke you can play any other whistle with ease

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:46 pm

I highly recommend the tweak. This sharpens the tone, cuts down the air required, and still leaves plenty of that pleasant, airy chiff. It's so easy, even I did it, without problems.
After that, I agree with all the other threads. Add a couple more breathing spots in your tune and you're in. Sometimes I wonder why I ever bought any whistle after my Clarke.

hathair_bláth · Post by **hathair_bláth** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:57 pm

I thought I didn't have enough air for a Clarke, but then I tried playing after messing around with my Bb for awhile. Since it takes more air to play the Bb, I had gotten used to the greater air requirements. Suddenly, I could play the Clarke with ease! Like s1m0n said, it's all in your head (or chest).

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:42 am

...but working out sometimes helps!

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