Don't try this at home ...

Ostrich Caller · Post by **Ostrich Caller** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:43 am

From Wikipedia:

Duct or fipple flutes can also be used as nose flutes. The 'bidi' of Taiwan ('bi'=nose, 'di'=flute in Chinese), which the native Taiwanese "Ami" people call 'di bolo', have the beak of the whistle inserted into one or two nostrils (if used for a double flute, one tube for each nostril and hand.) The practice of two whistles played with the nose has been observed in India, at religious festivals.

Faelan · Post by **Faelan** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:07 pm

I recieved my first tin whistle as a Christmas Present.

4 Hours later after mastering 'Old MacDonald', my childish nature kicked in.

I played the tune a couple times through blowing through the mouthpiece with my left nostril, whilst breathing in with my mouth.

It was much fun.

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:24 pm

In this year-old thread, Wanderer mentions that he does use his nose sometimes when playing at a RenFaire:

Wanderer wrote:On weekends where I've not been doing well, I've been known to march up, look lustfully at a young woman, proclaim that I am inspired because she is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen, and ask if I can woo her with a tune. They always say yes. I then play a slow air with the whistle in my nose. This always gets a tip, even if she does make a face

lordofthestrings · Post by **lordofthestrings** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:12 pm

I've been asked (in the middle of a gig, of course!) if I can do any tricks with my instruments. I've played the whistle backwards (by turning 180 degrees to have my back to the audience...people get too much of a kick out of this, try it) played the violin by having two voulenteers hold either end of the bow, and me moving the instrument bakc and forreth beneith it whilst fingering, and once I did play my 'brass acorn' with my nostril.

I was later comissioned to make an instrument to be played with the nose only, and came up with a set of 2 pipes: one (basically a copper whistle) to be finered, and one to drone (with interchangable tubes to change the note). These had a brass tube that protruded up from the fipple, and could be covered in rubber tube to 'conform' to the individual's nostrils. He was delighted, and I declined his offer to let me give it a try.

*Note for would-be nostril whistlers: do not attempt if you have a cold!

CountryKitty · Post by **CountryKitty** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:38 am

The Hawaiian Islanders had a flute that was specifically to e played with the nostril. Breath from the mouth wasn't really considered 'ure' becuase people did mundane things like eat with it, or sinful things like LIE with it, and of course when sick would vomit with it. Breath from the nose, being used only for the breath of life, was pure adn was considered apropriate for use with the flute...which was for wooing a lover.

Bid on one on eBay and got it for a penny! (As it is souvenier quality it doesn't play well tho' I'm gonna see if I can 'tweak' the mouth...um, NOSEpiece a bit to improve it.) When it came I explained to my kids how it was played...they both immediately announced "Ewwwwww!--Can we try?!"

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:40 am

lordofthestrings wrote: *Note for would-be nostril whistlers: do not attempt if you have a cold!

And never, ever, run with a whistle in your nose!

walrii · Post by **walrii** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:49 pm

I can hardly wait for the thread discussing the origin and content of the clogging moisture in nose flutes......mmmmpppffff.

Buckeye67 · Post by **Buckeye67** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:55 pm

walrii wrote:I can hardly wait for the thread discussing the origin and content of the clogging moisture in nose flutes......mmmmpppffff.

Some would say it is condensation, but it'snot.

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:59 pm

Buckeye67 wrote:
walrii wrote:I can hardly wait for the thread discussing the origin and content of the clogging moisture in nose flutes......mmmmpppffff.
Some would say it is condensation, but it'snot.

'Course it'snot.

anam cara · Post by **anam cara** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:33 pm

Buckeye67 wrote:
walrii wrote:I can hardly wait for the thread discussing the origin and content of the clogging moisture in nose flutes......mmmmpppffff.
Some would say it is condensation, but it'snot.

Faelan wrote:I recieved my first tin whistle as a Christmas Present.

4 Hours later after mastering 'Old MacDonald', my childish nature kicked in.

I played the tune a couple times through blowing through the mouthpiece with my left nostril, whilst breathing in with my mouth.

It was much fun.

Oh, this is good fun. Very entertaining

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:16 pm

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

dDave · Post by **dDave** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:07 am

Howdy,

Back a while ago, there was a hilarious one man show called "Steven Bank's Home Entertainment Center" about a musical dreamer with a really _low_ attention span. In one segment, he plays recorder with his nose. It's six minute into the segment here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W47pc0D722A

But I really suggest you take in the whole hour program starting here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62EePXzshX8

Best,

Dave

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:00 am

Denny wrote:Rahsaan Roland Kirk

He played flute and whistle as well - but not at the same time!

thistledown · Post by **thistledown** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:24 am

Adrian wrote:
Denny wrote:Rahsaan Roland Kirk

He played flute and whistle as well - but not at the same time!

Well, where's the fun and amazement in that? It doesn't count unless he can play both at the same time!

[/sarcasm]