Whistling

Subject: BS: Whistling
From: Ethereal Purple
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 04:59 AM

I was looking at the 'how can I improve breath control' thread... and I was wondering - is it possible for everyone to whistle? Because hard as I try... I can't whistle! Maybe it just isnt possible!

I was wondering a bit about whether this would count as a music-related thread... I finally decided it wouldn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 05:01 AM

Of course it's a Music thread

Songs about Whistling:


Whistle while you work!!!

Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head up high
Whistle a happy tune, and no one ever knows I'm afraid.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 05:18 AM

There are one or two folk songs with whistled bits, like The Devil and the farmer, where you whistle the second line to make sure the D doesn't appear when you mention him. Whistling was quite popular in fifties pop songs (Guy Mitchell's Singin' the blues, for example), and a lot of British skiffle bands whistled because they were a bit short of instruments (expect some elaboration from Roger of that ilk!) And people like Bing were whistling well before the fifties, of course.

I can whistle very well (as good as Bing; vibrato, trills and all), but not in many of the same keys as can sing, so I don't get much chance.

If yo wnat to stop someone whistling, make them smile: it's impossible to get the embouchure! If that doesn't work, give 'em a fat lip ...

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 05:20 AM

And don't forget the Kipper's Whistling monologue.

And Ronnie Ronalde, Al Jolson ... many more are too numerous to mention.

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Mooh
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 05:32 AM

It's a music thread.

I whistled more before I got in the habit of wearing a discman so much, but I still enjoy it. Don't know if everyone can whistle, just that everyone should try...it's good for the soul.

Recently played a wedding (complete strangers) where there was a whistle solo by someone else of "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" (the Elvis hit). I'm sure the soloist meant well and that it had some significance to the family, but it was pretty amateur.

Years ago I had a coworker with no wind (heavy smoker), but he could whistle suberbly breathing in and out very smoothly. No music training, just a great ear and years of practice. Great improvisor too. Too bad he's gone.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Ethereal Purple
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 05:40 AM

How, how?

How do you whistle? Help!

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 07:00 AM

Once you make that first sound, the rest is (fairly) easy. Ican only suggest trying as many combinations of lip position as you can, in hopes taht you find one that works. After that ... the pitch of the note depends on the length of the resonant cavity formed by the mouth; the length can be varied by moving the tongue: further forward to go higher, further back to go lower. Then it's just a matter of practice till you can hit the note you want every time.

I can whistle in the normal way, but I've never been able to whistle through my fingers. Mom can whistle, but only on the inward breath; I can do both, which means I can hold a note as long as you like,and I never have to pause for a breath.

If you whistle with a mic, don't get too cose, or it will upset the resonance andstop the whistle -- try bringing your hand close to your mouth and you'll see what I mean.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 07:24 AM

So when you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle!

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: nutty
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 07:37 AM

I've always loved whistling but my great-grandmother, who lived with us when I was a child, was always got upset when she heard me and used to shake her fist and chant .......

A whistling woman and a crowing hen
Drives the devil out of his den

Has anyone heard of anything similar ??

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: C-flat
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 09:02 AM

"How do you whistle? Help! "

Ethereal Purple, to quote Lauren Bacall in "The Big Sleep"...

"you just put your lips together, and blow"

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 09:37 AM

Some people with very worn or false teeth can't whistle - the edge of the denture is too rounded to make a good sound against, like the fipple of a penny whistle or a recorder. Conversely, I couldn't whistle through my fingers until I had a false front tooth fitted. The original stuck out somewhat so there was always a gap between them. The falsie is a lot more even and snuggly fitting.

Like I tell Limpit, just keep practising. As soon as she gets the hang of it, she loses another tooth and has to start again!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: harvey andrews
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 10:00 AM

I love whistling, it's my second instrument after my voice and I've recorded two songs where I whistle the solo. Strangely, on my last two visits to Canada I've been whistling and a young girl in front of me has stopped, turned round and complimented me on my musicianship.
It's just a happy sound when it's done well.

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: C-flat
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 10:33 AM

Harvey, if it was the same girl on your last two visits you may need to consider the possibility that you have a stalker.
Be afraid...

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: GUEST,Nigel Parsons (at work)
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 10:46 AM

I was kaiser Bill's Batman, by 'Whistling Jack Smith'


Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 02:00 PM

Ethereal Purple, whistling requires more than just one's lips. The tongue, kind of bent down at the tip, goes below the line of the bottom row of teeth, somewhat pressed against the gums. You can practice moving the tongue into different positions- I've noticed that most people who are trying to figure out how it is done tend to form a circular trench with the tongue and suspend it in the mouth. Doesn't work that way- you'll get just kind of a breathy whistly sound.

I like to whistle!

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 04:54 PM

How to learn to whistle as an adult, that's a tricky one. "Just put your lips together and blow" may have worked for Humphrey Bogart, but there's more to it than that.

In fact, I find it's easier whistling drawing in air than blowing out. I can do it both ways, but sucking in seems to give more control. Does it work like that for other people?

Subject: RE: BS: Whistling
From: LilyFestre
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 06:35 PM

My Dad taught me to do two things in this life....how to whistle and yo-yo.   :)

I can whistle the regular way (pucker up and blow...sorta) and then my back teeth are shaped kinda funny so that I can whistle around them...can't explain how....it's a tiny quiet whistle......

I never did get the knack for that real loud whistle where folks use their fingers....nope....can't quite figure that out!

I bet you'll get that whistle down pat after having given up on trying to learn it.....it'll come when you are relaxed and not thinking about it!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 08:28 PM

I've been able to whistle since I was about 5 years old, my grandfather taught me. But.....
I cannot click my fingers!
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 03:26 AM

I scolded my milkman recently for not being a proper milkman; he doesn't whistle. He riposted that his father sings as he delivers the milk, and his uncle whistles; not good enough, I say.

I've always wanted to be able to give that piercing whistle they call a catcall; my father tried to teach me, explaining that you stick two fingers horizontally in your mouth from the sides, curl your tongue backwards against the ridge behind your teeth, and blow - but I've never caught it.

Apparently Andrew Bird whistles, as well as singing and playing the violin, but I haven't yet succeeded in hearing any of his music.

Obviously I should visit the Canaries, where they have a special whistling language:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/11/18/whistle.language.ap/

(includes a soundfile of the language)

and:

LA GOMERA ANECDOTES [Thanks to K. Beesley and M. Kuha]

- Reportedly, some of the commonly used silbo introductions have
been picked up and repeated by birds.

- "My brother was once hiking around Gomera with a friend. They ran
out of drinking water and asked a local person for some. This
person said she didn't have any (it was a very dry area!) but her
neighbor up the mountain could help. "I'll let her know you're
coming" she said, and whistled up the mountain. They walked up the
mountain. My brother walked ahead and arrived first. When he got to
the house, a stranger sitting there said: "Ah, there you are. The
water's right around the corner there; but where is your friend?"

http://www.linguistlist.org/issues/6/6-1319.html

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: leprechaun
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 09:42 AM

Try as I might, all I get is a bunch of slobber on my fingers.

Subject: RE: Whistling
From:
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 11:46 AM

"whistling girls and crowing hens
always come to some bad ends"

Thats what MY grandmother said. My youngest went to a Waldorf school where all the kids play in the orchestra (and pretty well too) When they were away from their instruments , like in the bus, they would do it by voice and whistling and percussion. I think all those kids whistled but they were good all round musicians.

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 06:04 PM

A whistling woman and a crowing hen
Is neither good to God nor man

All along the same lines.

I used to be able to do a guinea pig whistle through my teeth (guinea pigs were convinced) but not since I got new dentures. Can still whistle in the melodic pursed way though.

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: Snuffy
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 07:51 PM

I can whistle breathing in or out in the normal puckered lips position, but only breathing out in the wide grinning position

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 08:17 PM

"whistling girls and crowing hens
always come to some bad ends"

That's what my grandmother (born 1874) said too- crushed my feelings a bit. It was not until much later that it occurred to me that she whistled all the time. Probably where I got the habit.

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 10:32 PM

So Ebbie,
what "bad ends" have you come to so far? :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: Whistling
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 10:36 PM

Oh dear. Let's just say that I've survived!