Can anyone help me on how exactly to take care of whistles? I have both metal whistles and a wood one coming, but I’m not exactly sure if I’m taking care of them properly. Is there anything special a person needs to do?
Hi Erin.
There are lots of posts and different opinions on the care of instruments. For metal whistles I just wipe them periodically with a soft cloth and clean the mouthpiece carefully with bits of stiff paper. Sometimes I clean out the insides of the holes with a wooden matchstick. I do the same with my wooden ones, but I also oil them lightly inside and out with woodwind bore oil (available at any music store). I like to use a touch of cork grease to keep the tuning slides working smoothly and well sealed against leaks. I personally stay away from nut oils like almond because of allergies, but many players prefer it.
For wooden instrumens it’s often best to talk to the maker directly if you can. Some makers have very specific methods they prefer.
Obviously, you don’t want to use hard objects or abrasive things that would damage the metal or wood. Stick with nice soft cloths and wooden sticks.
Some folks go all out with cleaning, but I hardly bother with mine much. Even though I play quite a lot, they don’t get dirty that fast.
Check around in the flute section here for additional advice also.
We don’t know what whistles you’re getting or if they’re new or used, so I’ll offer this:
If the whistles are new, depending on the maker, you may receive care & maintenance instructions. Not all metal whistles include maintenance instructions, but all makers of wood whistles that I’m aware of do and it’s important to follow these instructions.
If they’re pre-owned without maintenence instructions, in general you don’t have to worry a lot about metal whistles. I have many brass and aluminum whistles (Burkes, Overtons, Sindts, Harpers, Chieftains, etc) and don’t worry a lot about them other than swabbing out the bores on occasion. I like to let the outer patina develop over time.
Woods are another thing and require more care. Again, if the wood whistle you’re getting is new, you should receive some care & maintenance instructions. If not, or if it’s pre-owned without any instructions, the best thing to do is contact the maker.
Out of curiosity, what whistles are you getting, are they new or used, and where do you live?
I just received a new non-tunable Classic D Harper a couple of months ago, and absolutely love it. I’m just getting to the point where I give it the air it needs to shine tonally, and boy, is it worth it! I’m also waiting for a new Busman in blackwood and stainless. I have a Feadog D and an original D Clarke to round myself out. (I just spent the day window shopping, though. I think another might be forthcoming as soon as I can…I love getting new whistles!)
I live in south central South Dakota, so unfortunately, there’s not a lot of opportunity to hear/experience a lot. I depend a lot on the internet and recordings, although I do know a couple of people who play as well.
I’ll send a care brochure along with the whistle, and I believe that most other wooden whistle makers do the same. Don’t get all worked up about it: it’s not all that complicated or time consuming. Mostly simple common sense.
I have three of the four…Harper Classic, Busman blackwood, and Feadog. As Paul said, don’t worry about it. All are easy maintenance. Just play 'em and enjoy!