i’ve seen several references to the “shrill” sound of whistles making them hard to play in the presence of others in enclosed spaces (cars, elevators, aircraft hangars, etc.) is there any solution? i wonder if one of those “low” ones (dale reccommends the F for beginners) would have a quieter, more tolerable sound?
thanks!
jim
I’ve found that a piece of reasonably thin fabric over the mouthpiece (ie you are blowing through the material) will dampen the sound enough so that neighbors and roommates don’t complain TOO much. =) Just don’t let it cover the sound hole.
The drawback of this method is that you need to use a lot more air than you normally would. But I can still get the 1.5 ish octaves I normally use.
Also, if your piece of fabric is small, don’t swallow it when you breathe in!
[ This Message was edited by: avanutria on 2001-10-09 20:00 ]
Jim,
A C whistle is often not as shrill as a D and is easily purchased. Otherwise, try putting a small ball of “Ticky Tack” (the blue putty-like stuff for hanging posters)just below the windway where the air comes out. Adjust to suit. (this idea is courtesy of John Skelton)
thanks for the tips, folks, i’ll give it a go.
Hi Jim,
I agree with Dale about low F as a good beginner whistle. My Kerry low pro F has a very good dynamic range making it just as easy to play quietly as it is to play loudly.Sweetone D can also be played quietly due to its low breath requirement and makes an ideal practice whistle. Cheers, Mike
Once I suggested earpluggs once, but I still wound up on the deck. I cleaned out a corner in the shead, for when it rains.
Mike’s idea of soft blowing the sweetones does work, but only in the first octave.
I hope it doesn’t get to cold this winter.
jeff
Jim the Goldfish
I could suggest you get a ‘Tweaked’ Clarke original from the ‘Whistle Shop’. This has a hardwood muffler or baffle inserted at an angle in the modified (slightly flattened) windway.
The net effect of the muffler is to obscure about half of the ‘V’ fipple/blade (visible as you look down the windway).
Very approximately you will play at half the volume and with a corresponding reduction in your air requirements.
I can vouchsafe a most beautiful sounding instrument at very low volumes. Because of the low airflow, you may find condensation occasionally creates a little interference.
regards . . . Tony P
For whistling in a moving car (as a passenger, of course), you can’t beat a Generation Bb.
Jim, Dales suggestion for a Low whistle for a quieter sound is a good one. Physics states that the lower the frequency (for a given energy input) the lower the amplitude. Thus a lower key gives a quieter sound. When I want to play the softest I go for the Low C.
Ronaldo
Jim
I use a dollop of Permatex or similar putty at the beginning of the labium ramp with my plastic whistles. I use a soft lump of beeswax on my wooden ones. Use your fingers to shape a flat face where the ramp edge used to be and adjust as needed(up or down the ramp)to acquire levels of muting from slightly diminished to “airwhistle”.
If you prefer a simpler method you can use the “whistle Mute” paragraph at this site…
Tape](http://www.hmtrad.com/instr/winds/flutes/whisinfo.html%22%3ETape) Whistle Mute
Maybe whistles are sometimes the solution instead of the problem.
When the kids are happily doing their homework, down the basement with the door closed with the trusty old but quiet Clarke is just the thing.
If the kids need to be encouraged to go outside and get some fresh air, or the cats are scratching the furniture, then the Water Weasel usually does the trick. If the daughter brings home some particularly scraggley boy, then its time to work on that new and difficult piece you’ve been struggling with. Surprisingly effective.
If the wife announces she feels a sudden urge to go shopping for something expensive, then you’ve overdone it.
The problem isn’t the whistle, but the guy upstairs who keeps stomping on the floor. It isn’t a real effectiove way for him to communicate his wants or needs far as I’m concerned.
Yes, Anna, I agree. If they’d just be so kind as to stomp in beat to the tune it would be sort of nice, but…
Anna,
When you run into the “guy upstairs” you could tell him that you really did try to change your ryhthms to match his lead but if he really wants you to get in step, he needs to stomp longer. ;0)
A little purposeful obtuseness can be quite enjoyable and I know you …
Enjoy Your Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2001-10-11 18:44 ]