Hi everyone,as the quiet whistle topic does from time to time pop up I’d like to share this with you as a good solution for quiet time practice.Those little Actimel containers are perfect for making a really effective muffler and I’ll try to explain as best I can how to do it.Take a moment to observe the shape of your fingernail on the tip of your index finger,the radius is close to that of the actimel container and is the basic shape for your muffler…now,cut a section from the container that is about 2/3 the length of the airway and wide enough to fit into it like a spring with aproximately 1/4" or 5mm poking out the end, and shape this as you would your nail for extra comfort.You should have something resembling a fake fingernail and when inserted will reduce volume as it is, or you can go deluxe with this added tweak to the flat end of the brake to give further volume reduction.To do this make two cuts about 1/4" 5mm to make a flap that you’ll bend all the way back underneath for an additional spring/brake combination.Insertion is a snap as is removal with(of;)) your teeth,and you will enjoy significantly reduced volume for late night playing without sacrifice to good tone.It is extremely comfortable and is of course re-usable and a good excuse to keep some yummy Actimel in your fridge for the kids.Enjoy! Mike
[ This Message was edited by: mike.r on 2001-10-14 19:43 ]
Hi folks,
Actimel is a dairy joghurt drink product chock full of vitamins and other cool things and obviously not as universal as I thought but perhaps your health food store has some.The container is exceptionally small(tips of thumb and index finger touch when held) and of a very high quality thin white plastic.I’m not sure If I can explain this better than I have …I’ll try an organise a picture for you.Peace,and good health! Mike
[ This Message was edited by: mike.r on 2001-10-15 03:47 ]
Mike, could you try to post a pic of what the finished product looks like in/on your whistle? My husband is ready to try this, and it may just save our marriage! Can you still get the high notes with the muffler in place?
Muting for practice purposes is one of those universal concerns…It ranks as high as spit-in-the fipple and trying to finger a “C” note quickly!
I have tried affixing clear tape to close off a portion of the fipple opening, but I have never found it to work well…
I’m getting tired of sitting in my car at night with the windows up to practice!!!
Tim.
Hi all,
sorry I’m unable show you a picture at the moment but the look of this muffler is almost identical in form and size to a well manicured fingernail with the end where your cutical would be, squared off,with a flap in the centre which when bent all the way back underneath the `nail´acts as a spring to assist holding it in position when inserted and also to impede air flow slightly,although its really the concave shape that holds it firmly in position.The appearance of the inserted muffler is that of a finger nail poking out and pointing at you from the airway entrance.The tone is clear and breathy over the entire range and may even have tonal benefits beyond typical volume reduction methods as my Gen D sounds as good with it in as it does without.I hope you all can figure this out as it really is a great little gizmo that literally takes a few minutes to make and your neighbors and partners will love you for it. Good luck,Mike
[ This Message was edited by: mike.r on 2001-10-15 10:04 ]
Mike,
I don’t understand where I insert/place this mute on the whistle. When you say airway, do you mean the little tunnel through which I blow, or do you mean the opening where the air is split by the blade? A picture or even a little sketch would be really helpful!
Sorry for being dumb
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-10-18 11:08 ]
I think I am beginning to understand. But let me ask this: the actimel mute gets stuck in with the squared-off part and the rounded part sticks out the whistle mouthpiece 5mm and into my mouth. Right?
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-10-18 17:15 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-10-18 17:16 ]
Now ya got it!Actually it only needs to stick out enough so you can yank it out with your teeth…just mess around with it until its comfortable.You can also invert it for a slightly different effect and a shorter muffler without the flap can really sweeten up the tone of a generation.please let me know how you go. Cheers ,Mike
Mike,
So I tried it last night first thing when I got home. (Here at least I don’t have to be shy about my whistle disorders.) Due to a regrettable Actimel shortage in my house, I used the plastic from the handle of a gallon milk jug. It took me some attempts but I got it to work. Here are the specifics:
Walton Mellow D: Best results. Breathiness increased but tone stayed clear and in tune, no problem in the upper octave.
Generation C, Bb: Both worked, but the Bb not as well. Upper octave got harder
Feadog D: Not entirely satisfactory. Tone deteriorated too much and upper octave prone to squeaking or dropping.
Overton soprano D: Complete utter failure. Windway is too small.
I did not get the little bend-back thing to work very well. At best it made no difference and in some whistles it killed the tone. Don’t know if I am doing it right.
Gotta pick up some actimel… :roll:
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-10-19 09:10 ]
It sounds like your almost there,and I would nt want your persistance to go unrewarded…if it still doesnt work after you get some Actimel I’d be happy to send you one that will fit a Gen or a Waltons.The bend back thing I agree wasnt such a great idea,instead just angle the flap down a little so it makes contact with the base of the airway and keep the flap short ..think of wing flaps of an aeroplane to picture this. Good luck,Mike
Hey, when somebody makes one of these who has a digital camera, could you please post it? I’m still trying to figure it out! Guess I’m not too good with verbal descriptions!
Mike
