Does this whistle really work?

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:02 am

There is a whistle up for auction at ebay at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... gory=37977

Can this thing actually play with that ring/stopper in the end? The air would not be able to flow out the end like on a regular whistle.

Also, the finger holes look like they are the same size, and evenly spaced. Can this whistle actually be in tune with itself with this hole arrangement?

Rob S

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:29 am

I would be surprized if it plays in tune, for the reasons you stated. A little experimenting with a whistle suggests that the XXXXXX note might not play. However, the bottle opener feature looks interesting.

Best wishes,
Jerry

P.S. I know nothing about this whistle except for what I can see in the pictures. I could be completely mistaken.

adamm · Post by **adamm** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:51 am

Ummm... I think this *is* a bottle opener, and was just designed to look like a whistle. I'm going to write to the sellers on this one, and see what they say... Adam

kabili · Post by **kabili** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:55 am

this might be dumb question, but are we sure it isn't a slide whistle? If that ring on the end (aka the bottle opener) is for a piece that slides in and out of the body of the whistle, that would take care of adjusting the pitch of the notes, wouldn't it?

spittin_in_the_wind · Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:10 am

I think it's just an elaborate nose ring.

R.

Martin Milner · Post by **Martin Milner** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:22 am

Totally wierd.

Slide whistles don't have holes, and normal whistles don't have slides.

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:29 am

You guys are so out of it--I can't believe you've never seen one of these before. It's a spit stopper. There's a felt pad on the interior end of the ring thingy. The ring is taken out while playing the whistle and replaced when finished so the "condensation" can be absorbed into the felt pad.

Susan
(Yes, I'm kidding)

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 10:52 am

That's not a whistle, it's a Stunning Old Brass Flute!

To me it looks like something used (or made to resemble something used) to give signals in a ship. The bottle opener part is where you put a strap to hang it around your neck.

Or maybe it's a spit stopper!

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 12:45 pm

I may be slightly one-track minded these days :roll: but the even spacing between holes, and the stopper, should give an interesting paint-atonic, er, sound. Forget the last hole, like leave it open, and I don't see why it couldn't play a melody.
Of sorts.

Being in an experimental phase (warp 3), I might even bid

Seriously, now, this could be a variation of the Bosun whistles, i.e. one of these remotely musical devices* meant to help and bark orders at a sailboat crew.

* Such is the fife, when you think of it

rbm · Post by **rbm** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 12:48 pm

Zubivka wrote:...
Being in an experimental phase (warp 3), I might even bid

Should'n't that be WARPED ?

Richard.

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 12:51 pm

Long time no see!
Welcome back, Richard, you make my day (and I reckon I won't be alone)!

Can you believe I just got one of these honey-wine bottles on the way for you?

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:53 pm

Adamm wins the best avatar of the month award!

Forget Riverdance. Hamsterdance rules!

Best wishes,
Jerry

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:00 pm

Rob

Whatever this is, it is **NOT** a playable whistle. I know because a couple of years ago I bought one. I think it MIGHT be a part of a mechanical organ or calliope, but I'm not sure. In any case, even a piper hasn't got lungs that will elicit a tune fron the thing. I reven tried a can of compressed air.

Repeat, whatever it is, it is not a human-playable instrument.

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:45 pm

It looks like part of a Home Interiors decoration to me.

adamm · Post by **adamm** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 11:15 am

Thanks, Jerry! Well, I wrote to the seller out of curiosity, but he/she never wrote back. I hope they weren't offended when I asked if it might be a bottle opener...