a Merliton hole in a whistle?

Whistle
1

i’ve read about these merliton (mirliton?) holes in ancient flutes (chinese Ti and others like a kazoo)

it is basically an extra hole covered with something like tracing paper, crinkly cellophane or onionskin. apparently it tends to buzz somewhat as you play.

i imagine you could work out some way to disable it, by covering with a finger or flipping over some lid or something.

i’m primarily a dijeridu player, so i really like the idea of getting more harmonics & richer sound happening. Has anyone out there tried this on a whistle? like it?

cheers,
charlie

2

Charlie

The Mirliton/Ti-tzu is the Kazoo principal adapted for a woodwind. If the flexible membrane is located at the nodal point halfway between the voicing and the top tonehole, it will “modify” the tonal harmonics for a reedy tone.

Using a flexible membrane for the inner face of the headjoint/fipple plug will be more effective for harmonic modification thoughout the entire scale though.

A Susato whistle’s fipple plug is removable. If you inserted a tube with a flexible membrane in place of this plug, you could “experiment”.

Thomas Hastay.