I know this isn’t a new concept, but I thought it might be of interest to those looking for a quite whistle and/or for those who dislike their Clarke Originals due to high air requirments.
A few months ago I set out to “mute” my Clarke (see below), but I was really surprised by the affect this had - especially with regard to the 2nd octave. The result was a Clarke that required less air, was lower in volume, and has a very pleasant 2nd octave. It also has the benefit of being reversible - I didn’t want to squash the windway of my favorite whistle.
I made the muter (or muffler) with a piece of balsa wood. A piece measuring 3/16 x 1/4 x 36 (inches) costs less than a dollar in craft stores here in the States. With an exacto knife and some sandpaper I shaped a small piece to fill up half of the windway. It takes a little bit of work to get it just right, but it is worth it. The only problem is that it does occasionally slip out of position, but this is more of a problem when the wood is dry. After playing for a little bit it isn’t so much of an issue. Alternatively you can just wet it in your mouth first to get the balsa wood to swell up a bit.
Hopefully the pictures below will illustrate what I mean. The top view on the left is with my trusty Clarke D and on the right looking down the windway is a Clarke C. I haven’t really got it to work as well on the C, but on the D this whistle really sings.
I did the same tweak to a Hoover Whitehead that seemed awfully “windy” and hard to control. I used blue gummy tack (stuff used for putting up wall poster). It’s been in there for months without a problem such as falling out. Hope it’s non-toxic.
Thanks for the tip. I have a Clarke as one of the original whistles I could not play (LOL) - at least that’s how I’'ll always remember it. I play Busmans and O’Briens for my enjoment most of the time now.
But every once in a while I’d get the Clarke out because the other whsitles were put away in another room. But even when I could play them, the breath requirement was - well - breathtaking.
So one day recently I mashed down the fipple in frustration. After a few cabinet screwdriver adjustments for closing the thing too far - voila. I could play it and the the backpressure was kinda nice for a change.
But your fix is bettter for sure - more subtle for sure - and you don’t have an ugly 'ole mashed fipple like I do. Great job.
Since we have been talking about this, I have rediscovered my Clarke D! The Clarke was my only good cheapie whistle, and I played it for six months before getting a Burke. Now, with the thumbnail tweak described my Markbell, I am loving it again!
The Clarke has a very original sound, a different personality. It is flutey, chiffy, and best of all, is a quiet whistle!
I prefer slower tunes to faster ones, so the air requirement is not as much of a handicap.
If you haven’t dusted off your Clarke for awhile, do it now! It’s fun to play the “original tinwhistle!”
