Chiff and Fipple Forums

There's a simple,free way to play very quietly using your own whistle.
Put the mouthpiece between your lips, then move it down slightly so you're blocking the opening of the windway with your lower lip.
Now just play it. The airflow over the window will produce notes which are extremely quiet. You can't really overblow to play the second octave but just play as if you could. You'll find that your ear hears the correct second octave notes even though they're really the same as the first octave and the tune will sound fine.
My wife is still asleep and I just played a few tunes about 15 feet away from her,no problem.

brewerpaul wrote:There's a simple,free way to play very quietly using your own whistle.
Put the mouthpiece between your lips, then move it down slightly so you're blocking the opening of the windway with your lower lip.

I like the idea, but I’m having a hard time imagining what you are describing.

Joanie Madden uses this technique on one of her “Song of the Irish whistle” CDs (can’t remember which) if you want to hear it.

brewerpaul wrote:There's a simple,free way to play very quietly using your own whistle.
Put the mouthpiece between your lips, then move it down slightly so you're blocking the opening of the windway with your lower lip.

AaronFW wrote:I like the idea, but I’m having a hard time imagining what you are describing.

You'd just be blowing over the top of the mouthpiece, rather than through it.

Best wishes.

Steve

Steve Bliven wrote: You'd just be blowing over the top of the mouthpiece, rather than through it.

Oh! Okay! Thanks for the explanation.

Blowing along & over the embouchure hole of my cheapie low D flute does the same, (that's how I know that I could play a low D whistle).

(Holding it like a whistle, I can reach all the holes quite easily.)

AaronFW wrote:

brewerpaul wrote:There's a simple,free way to play very quietly using your own whistle.
Put the mouthpiece between your lips, then move it down slightly so you're blocking the opening of the windway with your lower lip.

I like the idea, but I’m having a hard time imagining what you are describing.

I'm still not getting it, but I'm a slow learner

brewerpaul wrote:There's a simple,free way to play very quietly using your own whistle.
Put the mouthpiece between your lips, then move it down slightly so you're blocking the opening of the windway with your lower lip.

PB+J wrote:[I'm still not getting it, but I'm a slow learner

Grip the whistle as you normally would but instead of putting the end in your mouth, rest it on your lower lip and blow across the top of the mouthpiece. You will hear a rushing of air that will change as you open/close finger holes.

Best wishes.

Steve

AHA! Now I get it.


I've ordered an Arduino board and some light sensors. I'l see if I can make anything happen