My company makes premiums. We have been asked to redesign a childs plastic whistle, that currently plays 4 specific notes. (The current whistle is too small for young children). We are going to make the whistle 4" long and proportionately wide, but how do we keep the same 4 notes? Should the holes change proportionately? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
This is interesting…
If you double the length, the holes should move proportionatly, but don’t necessarily need to get bigger if you play with their position - unless you really do make occarinas rather than whistles.
The problem (if it is a problem) that you’re going to run into is that you will still be able to hit the same notes, but you’ll be in a different octave. However, in order to make a complete octave jump (and still be able to keep the same notes) you will need to double the length from the edge of the sound window to the end of the whistle… not the total length of the whistle.
To really give you a useful answer, it would be helpful to know a few more specifics, but given company privacy you probably can’t. So, I hope that this general information helps.
Peace,
Erik
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-11-14 02:31 ]
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-11-14 16:02 ]
I think the sound of a whistle this size even your proposed “low” 
[ This Message was edited by: mike.r on 2001-11-14 07:29 ]
Maybe you might try something like the garklein shown at this site… http://www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/r_record.htm
One of these these made from chocolate covered marzipan would be realy sweet!! 
Mike
Thanks for all your input, but this is serious (at least to me and my company) 
. I think we really have a problem. The whistle is PLASTIC, not metal or wood, so I’m not sure if that makes a difference. And, yes, it is only 4" long. Any other suggestions?
Thanks -
[ This Message was edited by: marilyn on 2001-11-14 15:42 ]
can you post a picture?
The marzipan whistle sounds “yummy” but hard to play. And, no, sorry I can’t post a picture. Gotta keep this confidential for our customer. I will try to answer specific questions if that will help. Feel free to ask.
Is this whistle a linear type or an ocarina? I was trying to picture a fipple and four holes with only 2 inches to work with..
Those of you who are whistle builders, does increasing the length of the whistle before the fipple have the same effect as lengthening it after the fipple?
(“before” meaning closer to one’s mouth..)
(Edit…I always spell ocarina wrong…)
[ This Message was edited by: avanutria on 2001-11-14 20:01 ]
On 2001-11-14 15:55, avanutria wrote:
does increasing the length of the whistle before the fipple have the same effect as lengthening it after the fipple?
Hi Avanutria,
No, it has more to do with sound quality than sound frequency. Though I suppose on some physical level it may actually have an effect, it’s not something that I’ve picked out with my ears.
Erik
Okay - so I am showing my lack of knowledge about whistles…what is an Octarina?
PS - Erik - please check your e-mail. Thanks
Got your e-mail. Sent one back. Hope it helps
Erik
marilyn
if your “whistle” is 2"(inches)long and you wish to make it 4"(inches)long you can double all measurements and have the instrument play one octave lower.
If you are worried about possible problems with a child swallowing this whistle then you can simply place a tuning hole at 2"(inches),leave all the measurements the same(bore,tonholes etc.) and just extend the tube 2 more inches
Old world bagpipes used tuning holes just before the bell so complex calculations for said bell could be avoided.
You can e-mail me at…
hastay.thomas@mailcity.com
Argh, that sounds like a Calculus problem… shiver
EEEK!
if a whistler is walking away from a 30ft tall lamp post at 3 ft per second, when he is 15 ft from the lamp post, how fast is the shadow cast by his whistle moving?
Har har har!
You probably want to ask someone who knows a lot about math, physics, and the nature of musical instruments and sound waves, etc…
[ This Message was edited by: TelegramSam on 2001-11-14 18:06 ]
[ This Message was edited by: TelegramSam on 2001-11-14 18:09 ]
That’s not scary. What’s really scary is that given time I could probably work that out (engineering student). It wouldn’t be very fun, though.
Poor you. patpatpat How can you stand all that calculus? An hour and a half a day seems like an eternity to me…
If you start out with a 4" whistle and make it 2", it will naturally play an octave higher.
If you change the 2" whistle into a closed ended instrument, it will play an octave lower. Except that the sound will be rich in odd harmonics.
What I mean by close ended, the bottom of the whistle is sealed - it is not open like an ordinary whistle.
Technically what you want to make here is a cross between a whistle and an ocarina.
For an ordinary whistle to play exactly the same frequency and cut the size in half simply doesn’t work - the laws of physics prevails.
FWIW, my assesment of this issue :
- Your company makes a product which targets child users, and has the potential for hazardous consequences arsing from its present smallish size, although there’s no indication from you of a recall.
- Your company has now twigged to the fact that it has a somewhat huge potential problem based on the legal theory of strict liability (and probably a huge moral liability if somewhat has already been injured or could reasonably be injured by the use of your company’s product)
- You seek free advice on design and technical matters from members of this forum, but in return, you’re not prepared to make disclosure of the design and technical details of your product or proposed product.
- You have not indicated any willingness to retain the services on a paying basis of any of the many qualified whistle makers, many of whom are members of ths forum and could easily and professionally resolve your product design issues.
My take: I can’t imagine why any forum member would want to assist you in your purely commercial driven venture, particularly absent your willingness to share information (one of the hallmarks of this forum). History seems bound to repeat itself if you don’t change your tune (deliberate attempt at pun to lighten up a bit).
I recommend you investigate and retain the services of a qualified whistlesmith (many listed and described on C&F mainpages) to assist your business enterprise. God bless the children, and keep them from harm and from those who do harm.
Bob,
It’s not as bad as it seems. She talked with several of us offline and she’s just needing to be pointed in the right direction. Who knows, she may actually end up hiring someone to help.
Erik
[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2001-11-15 16:04 ]