Is there any way to lessen the wetness of my playing, outside of removing my salivary glands with an exacto knife (or other household object)? It’s only a problem with a wooden fipple, which swells a bit and causes my notes to sound . . . er . . . mushy, I guess. Any pointers? 
Forrest Aguirre
Probably not. Maybe you can coat the wooden fipple
with something that will make it less absorbent.
Or play another instrument. It may be
more the particular whistle in question
than you. Best
You could try drinking a cup of green tea before playing. That usually dries up my mouth. Coffee works, too, but to a lesser extent. And don’t play on an empty stomach. If you’re at all hungry, sticking the whistle in your mouth could cause you to salivate.
Hold your whistle upside down, closing its fipple window with a finger; then, pour half a shotglass* of wood-care oil (like almond oil) in the tube. Let the excess drip out the mouthpiece overnight.
Once cured, the whistle will sound veiled for a few tunes, then get back to its normal sound. Now, the wood will absorb moisture much slower.
This is a procedure recommended by M. Grinter and Y. Le Coant for their wood whistles. Note that most others will advise against–but did they ever try? :roll:
It should be done only seldom (like twice a year) and on a dry whistle, unplayed for at least a couple days.
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Wow, thanks, guys. Much appreciated. I didn’t realize that I was much of a salivator until I acquired the wooden-fippled whistle. It’s not a prob with a plastic fipple, just tap it out every few tunes, but the wooden one gets squishy sounding. I’ll definitely give these suggestions a try.
Forrest
Stick some gauze between your gums and cheeks like the dentist does.
Didn’t we just discuss this here?
Oh yes:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=18058
Whoops. Missed that one Glauber. Glad to know, though, that I’m not the only one spitting.