Defective Instructions, or, "Whistling in the Dark"

[BlackShanglan]

What's wrong with these instructions, damnit? I tried the bottom set (without fingers) and all I have is a headache and a tolerable impression of a kettle hissing. I realize that it's not really resume material, but I always wanted to know how to do this. Does anyone who can have some words of good advice?

How to Whistle Loudly (with or without use of fingers)

I can't quite work out whether my lips are meant to be tucked over my teeth and into my mouth or just held taut and high against the outside. I'm getting a forceful movement of air downward, but I feel it more on my tongue and the insides of my upper teeth. It's quite a faint noise.

 

[buxxxom]

I couldn't manage it, either. Whistling's not a skill I've ever had.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I couldn't manage it, either. Whistling's not a skill I've ever had.

I can do the ordinary pursed-lip sort and even carry a tune, but I'm envious of the power and shrillness of the through-the-teeth style. It looks very handy for dog-summoning.

 

[buxxxom]

I can do the ordinary pursed-lip sort and even carry a tune, but I'm envious of the power and shrillness of the through-the-teeth style. It looks very handy for dog-summoning.

My mom had that. It was quite handy for summoning kids, too!

I tried the instructions. My last shot at a whistle. Oh, well.

 

[jomar]

My mom had that. It was quite handy for summoning kids, too!

I tried the instructions. My last shot at a whistle. Oh, well.

Yep. I had a "come home" whistle as a child. My father could whistle loud with or without using fingers. I never got the hang of it.

 

[Guest]

Keep working on it. A whistling horse, we could get on Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks.

 

[tickledkitty]

Shanglan, I used to be able to do it with fingers quite well as a child. I can still do it satisfactorily. I think I could do it better before all my adult teeth grew in?

Anyway, I think the easiest way is to use four fingers--the pointer and index fingers. Your lips should be wrapped around your teeth and pulled kind of tight. You almost tuck them in with your fingers, especially the bottom one. The outer tips of your index fingers should be pressed together to make sort of a V. The tip of your tongue should be sort of mashed against the tips of your fingers. When you blow, the air should be coming right out the middle between your fingers. I can feel it against the bottom of my nose and my chin. I also noticed that the outsides of my pinkies are pressing together as well.

This is a hard thing to explain without being able to show you! It may be just a matter of practicing until you hit on the right angle for your fingers.

 

[damppanties]

How to Whistle Loudly (with or without use of fingers)

Good God! What all you get up to, Shanglan!

 

[cloudy]

I can whistle like that using the thumb and forefinger of my right hand, but I'll be damned if I can explain how.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I'm not real big on whistling. I figure, if I'm gonna stick two fingers into a damp orifice, I'd rather not be doing so simply to make noise.

Q_C

 

[BlackShanglan]

I'm not real big on whistling. I figure, if I'm gonna stick two fingers into a damp orifice, I'd rather not be doing so simply to make noise.

Q_C

*snicker*

Oh, I don't know. Some of the noises can be quite agreeable.

 

[Guest]

Keep working on it. A whistling horse, we could get on Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I used to be able to whistle. I split ears for a country mile with my regular, non-finger whistle. But since I got my teeth straightened, I can barely whistle at all. It must have had something to do with my front teeth.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I used to be able to whistle. I split ears for a country mile with my regular, non-finger whistle. But since I got my teeth straightened, I can barely whistle at all. It must have had something to do with my front teeth.

Damn! I have cursedly straight teeth. This might be a problem.

I can sometimes manage a pretty good whistle just with pursed lips, but it's not consistent. If my lips are too wet or too dry or just not feeling very flexy, I lose most of the sound. I can't tell if I'm booching up the through-the-teeth whistle because I have bad instincts from the other kind, or if it's just not possible for everyone.

 

[bluebell]

Shanglan's sordid vocabulary

If my lips are just not feeling very flexy...

... I can't tell if I'm booching...

*feels her own butt*


Oh my gawd, it's gone! I've actually laughed my own ass off!

 

[TE999]

Damn! I have cursedly straight teeth. This might be a problem.

I can sometimes manage a pretty good whistle just with pursed lips, but it's not consistent. If my lips are too wet or too dry or just not feeling very flexy, I lose most of the sound. I can't tell if I'm booching up the through-the-teeth whistle because I have bad instincts from the other kind, or if it's just not possible for everyone.

Just get a whistle that hangs around your neck and quit punishing your lips and digits.

That form of whistling is only good for summoning pets, being in TV show audiences, attending sporting events and calling a taxi.