Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Making the sound of a water droplet with your mouth
• Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting
• Tips

You can learn to simulate the sound of a drop of water falling into a lake using just your mouth and hands. This can take a lot of practice, but since you don't need any tools, you can just practice it when you have a few minutes off and nothing to do.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Making the sound of a water droplet with your mouth

1. Moisten your lips. Drink a glass or two of water when your lips are dry and when you need to while exercising. Apply lip balm and try again later if they feel badly cracked.
2. Flute. Flutes are all about the mouth shape you need and this may be easier to learn first. If you can't whistle, pucker your lips slightly with some space between the lips to allow air to pass through. Pull your tongue back slightly.
   • Pull your lower jaw down to stretch your cheeks and give yourself more air to work with.
3. Hold your breath. You cannot make the sound of the water drop while blowing or breathing through your nose. Make it a habit to breathe through your nose as you practice.
4. Practice the word "hoink". Practice this for at least five or ten minutes. Say the word "hoink" repeatedly and then repeat the same mouth movement without vocalizing or grunting. Move your jaw and Adam's apple up quickly and move your tongue up and forward.
   • You should feel a short stream of air as you say this, even though you are not exhaling.
   • If you know Russian, a certain vulgar three-letter word that starts with Х works even better.
5. Tap or slap your cheek during the mouth movement. Repeat the "hoink" mouth movement. Just before completing the tongue motion, tap your finger on the outside of your cheek. A short slap on your cheek also works and can help make a louder sound when you first practice this, but you hit too hard if you give yourself a red, stinging cheek.
   • Some people find it easier to tap with a pencil eraser instead of a finger.
   • This step often takes 45 minutes of dedicated practice and can take days if you practice only occasionally.
   • You can also try tapping the hollow between your teeth, the back of your lower jaw, the side of your front canine, and anywhere in between.

Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting

1. Learn the correct shape of the mouth even if you can't whistle. This trick is much easier to learn if you can whistle, but that doesn't mean you can't. To get the correct mouth shape, pursue your lips by slightly contracting both corners of the mouth. Don't overdo it with a "duck face." Your lips should protrude only slightly, with a gap between them so that air can flow through them.
2. Take it easy if your muscles start to hurt. If your jaw or cheeks are tense, you have lowered your jaw too far. If your cheek is red and stinging, you're tapping too hard. No part of this process should feel painful or uncomfortable.
   • If you just feel pain from practicing for a long time, take a 10 minute break.
3. Avoid exhaling. If you keep forgetting not to sniff during your workout, inhale through your nose and the passage in the back of your mouth should automatically close.
4. Wait for the air flow during the "hoink" movement. If you can't get the sound within five minutes of vibrating, stop and focus only on the "hoink" movement. Pay attention to the air flowing past your lips. If you don't feel it, move your tongue or jaw and try again. As soon as you notice a short stream of air, like blowing gently, start tapping your cheek again and try to do this at the same time as that stream.
   • If you're lucky, even here you can hear a hollow whistling sound or even a faint water droplet sound without the tapping - then you're definitely on the right track.

Tips

• If your cheeks get tense or sore, take a break or give them a massage to relax them further. Cold cheeks can also get stiff and bother you.
• If you manage to make the sound, try amplifying it by clapping your mouth. First, with your lips pursed, place a thumb on each cheek and clap your lips. Move your clapping hands up and down until you feel them blow a blast of air on your lips. Repeat that clap when you would normally flick your cheek.
• More difficult methods of making this sound include tapping the bottom of your jaw, or even tapping the back or top of your head lightly. With enough practice, some people can loosen the air just through mouth movements.