Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: The basic technique
• Part 2 of 3: The different factors of whistling loudly
• Part 3 of 3: Alternative (fingerless) flute technique
• Tips

Maybe you've never learned how to whistle, or maybe your flute technique isn't producing the loud tone you're aiming for. Either way, if you want to learn how to whistle loudly, here's what you need to know.

To step

Part 1 of 3: The basic technique

1. Form an "Okay" symbol with your index finger and thumb. Bend the thumb of your dominant hand slightly inward while simultaneously moving the index finger of the same hand down until the tip of the finger touches the tip of your thumb.
   • Your hand should look like you're making an "Okay" gesture, and your thumb and index finger should form a full circle.
   • Note: It doesn't really matter how you hold the other fingers, as long as they don't get in the way.
   • While there are tons of other flute techniques out there, it seems this one is quite easy to learn and some say produces the loudest sound. It is believed that you can produce more than 130 decibels with this technique, if you do it right.
2. Lick your lips. Moisten your lips with your tongue. The saliva doesn't have to drip from your mouth, but your lips should feel wet.
   • You should also open your mouth wide at this stage. Keep your lips slightly tense against your teeth instead of letting them rest.
3. Press your tongue against the "Okay" ring. Place the circle made by your thumb and index finger directly in front of your mouth. Stick your tongue out until it touches the point where your fingers meet to form a ring.
   • Press firmly. You should apply enough pressure with your tongue until the tip of your tongue curls up slightly. Make sure your tongue curls up and not down.
4. Close your lips around your fingers. Push your tongue back into your mouth with the circle of your fingers. Close your lips around your fingers, leaving only a small hole between your bottom lip and the inside of the ring your fingers made.
   • Your lips should be folded mainly under your fingers at this point.
   • The small hole between your fingers and lower lip is the "blowhole". Without it you cannot produce sound.
   • Make sure all other space around the blowhole is airtight. If air is escaping somewhere in the front of your mouth, you will not be able to make a strong whistle.
5. Blow air out of your mouth. Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through the blowhole, as formed by your fingers and lower lip. If you do this correctly, you should hear a loud, clear whistle.
   • Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed right away on your first try. Many people take time and practice to learn this flute technique.
   • The more you blow out, the louder the sound will be. Make sure your breath is focused and narrow, rather than so strong that it goes everywhere and nowhere.

Part 2 of 3: The different factors of whistling loudly

1. Get to know the stages of whistling. For most beginner whistlers, there are four major stages or milestones involved in learning to whistle. For some there is even an extra fifth step to take. Once you've hit each milestone, there are several adjustments you need to make to get to the next step.
   • The first phase is the "bladder" phase. At this point you will hear the air blowing, but not a whistle. The best thing to do during this stage is to go back a few steps through the steps required to whistle loudly and check that you are doing each step correctly. Make minor adjustments to each part, especially finger position and lip tension, until you get to the next stage.
   • The second phase is the "jet fighter" phase. At this point you should produce a sound similar to that of a stationary jet engine. This is a little closer to a whistle, but is not penetrating enough to qualify as an actual whistle. From here it is usually a matter of adjusting your fingers until you have a clearer tone.
   • The third stage is the "leaking flute", in which a whistling sound should be heard, but it remains soft and airy. This is due to air leakage through the blowhole, so you need to cover more of the seal made by your tongue and lips.
   • The fourth major phase is "flute mastery", in which you can produce a full and clear whistle without leakage.
   • The optional fifth step is simply a louder version of the controlled whistle. If your whistle is clear but still a bit soft, you may not be putting enough force or air pressure behind it. Just blow out more forcefully.
2. Pay more attention to the tension of your lower lip. Your bottom lip should be pulled tight. Don't just press against it with your fingers.
   • A good way to practice on the right amount of tension on your lower lip is to practice contracting your lips as needed, without using your fingers. Study the shape of your lips in the mirror, and when you can actually see what looks like a tight lower lip, hold that feeling in your memory.
   • When it comes time to practice whistling with your fingers again, focus on the feeling of your lower lip and compare that feeling to the feeling while practicing in front of the mirror.
3. Keep your lips and fingers moist. You won't be able to whistle loudly if your lips and fingers are dry. At the same time, you are not supposed to produce so much saliva that it flies all over the place.
   • If you are lacking in moisture and are unable to keep your lips moist, you can moisten your fingers under a running tap before exercising.
   • Also, don't forget to re-wet your lips regularly as you practice, as they can dry before you master the technique.
4. Apply enough pressure with your tongue and fingers. When you press your tongue against the loop of your fingers, there should be enough pressure to bend your tongue upward.
   • Only the very tip of your tongue should be raised, not your entire tongue.
   • In addition, your tongue should be slightly tense while you feel the pressure. Make sure that the pressure comes mainly from your tongue and not your fingers.
5. Provide a decent sized blowhole. The size of the blowhole will probably take the most adjustment and trial and error. It should be wide enough to allow air to pass through unimpeded, but not so wide that all the air will flow out at once.
   • There is little practical advice on how to check the opening left for the blowhole. All you can do is tinker with it until you find something that works.
6. Push as much air through the blowhole as possible. Obviously, more air through your blowhole means a louder sound. However, too much air can reduce the quality of your whistle.
   • Pushing too much air out too quickly can result in a weakening of the seal between your fingers and the rest of your mouth, allowing excess air to escape around the blowhole instead of through it.
   • Make sure any air you release is diverted through the blowhole and has nowhere else to go.
   • Know that the amount of air blown through the blowhole is ultimately responsible for the volume and pitch of your whistle once you master the rest of the technique.

Part 3 of 3: Alternative (fingerless) flute technique

1. Tuck your lips under your teeth. Lower your jaw a little and pull the corners of your mouth back slightly so that they stretch towards your ears. Keep your bottom lip tight against your bottom teeth and fold your top lip over your top row of teeth.
   • Your bottom teeth should not be visible. That's not necessarily true of your top teeth, and it's probably easier to whistle loudly if your top teeth are showing.
   • If you need a little extra help, press the tips of your index and middle fingers on either side of your mouth to pull your lips back. Don't put your fingers in your mouth, though.
   • You can still produce a very loud whistle with this method, but you need more control over the muscles involved in the whistle so it can be difficult to learn.
2. Withdraw your tongue. Fold your tongue in so that it "floats" in your mouth, just in front of the lower front teeth.
   • The front of your tongue should be pressed flat against your teeth, along the sides of your tongue. Keep your tongue folded in toward the center to create a blowhole or sharply angled opening.
   • The sound is created when air is forced out over the lower lip and lower teeth.
3. Blow air out of your mouth. Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale forcefully, pushing the air through the space between your tongue and the lower teeth. If this is done correctly, a clear whistle can be heard.
   • Start with a gentle blast of air until you hear a low whistle. This way you know that your technique is good.
   • Once you've mastered the correct technique, exhale more forcefully to increase the volume.

Tips

• Practice your technique in a mirror so you can more easily see what you are doing and what you are doing wrong.
• Wash your hands with your fingers before whistling to prevent the spread of germs.
• Apply pressure to the tongue.