Maybe you've never learned to whistle, or maybe your whistling technique doesn't produce a satisfyingly loud sound. Either way, if you want to learn how to whistle loud, here's what you need to know.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: The Basic Technique
Step 1. Form an "ok" symbol with your thumb and forefinger
Bend the thumb of the dominant hand a little inwards and simultaneously bend the index finger of the same hand until the tip touches that of the thumb.
- Your hand should be in the same position as when you make the gesture to say "OK", and your thumb and forefinger should make a full circle.
- Note that it doesn't really matter what position your other fingers are in, as long as they don't bother you.
- While there are many other techniques for whistling, this one tends to be fairly straightforward to understand and is said to produce the loudest sound. Apparently, a whistle with this technique can exceed 130 decibels, if done correctly.
Step 2. Lick your lips
Moisten your upper and lower lips by running your tongue on both sides. There shouldn't be too much saliva in the corners of your mouth, but your lips should feel well moistened.
At this point, you should open your mouth wide. Keep your lips lightly stretched against your teeth instead of letting them rest relaxed
Step 3. Press your tongue against your "OK"
Place the circle created with your index finger and thumb just in front of your mouth. Stick your tongue out until it squeezes where your fingers come together to form the ring.
Press firmly. You should apply enough pressure with your tongue to make the tip curl up slightly. Make sure it's upward, though, and not downward
Step 4. Close your lips on your fingers
Return the tongue to the mouth together with the closed fingers. Close your lips around your fingers, leaving only a small hole between your lower lip and the inside of the ring created by your fingers.
- Your lips should mostly be curled under your fingers at this point.
- The little hole between your fingers and your lower lip is the "blowhole". Without it, you would not be able to produce any sound.
- Make sure all other areas around the breather are sealed. If air passes from any other position in front of the mouth, you will not get a loud whistle.
Step 5. Blow the air out of your mouth
Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through the blowhole created by your fingers and lower lip. If done right, a loud and clear whistle should be heard.
- Don't be discouraged if you can't do it on the first try. For many people, it takes time and practice to hone this whistling technique.
- Typically, the more breath you blow out, the louder the sound will be. Just make sure your breath is focused and tight, rather than strong enough to escape all over the place in one whiff.
Part 2 of 3: Factors for Loud Whistling
Step 1. Note the stages of a whistle
For most amateur whistlers, there are four stages or stages involved in learning to whistle properly. For some, a fifth stage is also added. Once you have completed each stage, there are several steps you can take to move on to the next.
- The first stage is the "ventilated" one. At this stage, you will feel the air blowing, but there won't be a real whistle to hear. The best thing to do during this stage is to review the steps required to whistle and check yourself at each point. Make small changes to each component, especially the position of the fingers and the tension of the lips, until you reach the next step.
- The second stage is that of the "jet engine". At this point, you will hear a sound similar to that of a jet engine on standby. It will be something like a whistle, but not piercing enough to sound like a real whistle. Hence the problem is mostly to reposition the fingers until you can get a clearer sound.
- The third stage is that of the "lost whistle", during which a whistle can be heard, but remains faint and airy. This is because the breath passes somewhere other than the blowhole, so you will need to narrow the closures made by your tongue and lips.
- The fourth main stage is the "whistle of skill", during which a powerful, clear and lossless whistle is heard.
- The fifth pass (optional) is just a higher version of the skill whistle. If your whistling is clear but still faint, you may not be putting enough force into your breath. Simply exhale harder.
Step 2. Pay attention to the tension of the lower lip
Your lower lip should be taut. Don't just push on it with your fingers.
- A good way to practice on the right amount of tension on your lower lip is to train yourself to set your lips as they should be without using your fingers. Study the shape of your lips in the mirror, and when you can clearly see what a stretched lower lip looks like, keep the sensation in mind.
- When it comes time to practice whistling with your fingers again, focus on the sensation of your lower lip and match it with what you felt when practicing in the mirror.
Step 3. Keep your fingers and lips moist
You won't be able to whistle clearly if your fingers and lips are dry. At the same time, you don't want to have too much saliva coming out of your mouth and flying everywhere.
- If you're a little dehydrated or have trouble keeping your lips moist, you can try soaking your lips under a flowing sink before practicing whistling.
- Also remember to re-moisten your lips periodically as you practice, as they may dry out before you master the technique.
Step 4. Put enough pressure between your tongue and fingers
When you squeeze your tongue on the ring formed by your fingers, there must be enough pressure to cause the tongue to bend upward.
- Only the tip of the tongue should bend up, not all of it.
- Also, you should feel the tongue slightly tense as you press. Make sure that the bulk of the pressure is from the tongue and not the fingers.
Step 5. Maintain a decent sized breather
The size of the breather will likely be the thing that will require the most modifications and relocations. It needs to be large enough for air to pass smoothly, but not large enough to blow it all out at once.
There are a few practical tips on how to check the space left for the blowhole. All you can do is try and try again until you find something that works
Step 6. Blow as much air as you can through the breather
Obviously, more air being forced through the blowhole means a louder sound. Too much air can cause a decrease in whistle quality, however.
- If you force too much air out too quickly, you may end up weakening the closures between your fingers and the rest of your mouth, letting excess air escape around the breather rather than through it.
- Make sure the air you release is directed to the breather and nowhere else.
- Note that the volume of air moving through space will essentially change the volume and pitch of your whistle once the rest of the technique is perfected.
Part 3 of 3: Alternative Techniques for Whistling (Fingerless)
Step 1. Curl your lips underneath the teeth
Lower your jaw a little and pull the corners of your mouth back, stretching them so that they face in the direction of your ears. Keep your lower lip taut against the bottom teeth and fold the upper lip over the top teeth.
- Your underneath teeth should no longer be visible. The top teeth might be, but it will probably be easier to make a louder whistle if your top teeth are.
- If you need some help, you can squeeze your index and middle fingers on each side of your mouth to pull the lip back. Don't put your fingers in your mouth, however.
- You can still produce a very loud whistle with this method, but you will need more control of the muscles involved in the whistle, so it can be difficult to do.
Step 2. Pull your tongue back
Bend your tongue so that it "hangs" in your mouth just before your lower front teeth.
- The front of the tongue should be flat against the teeth and along the sides. Keep your tongue tucked in toward the center to create a blowhole or sharply angled space.
- The sound will be created when air is forced to pass over the lip and lower teeth.
Step 3. Blow the air out of your mouth
Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale sharply, forcing air through the space between the tongue and the teeth. If done correctly, a clear whistle should be heard.
- Start by blowing the air lightly until you can hear a low whistle. This will let you know that the technique is right.
- Once you get the right technique, exhale with more force and more air to increase the volume.
Advice
- Wash your hands when you whistle with your fingers to avoid spreading bacteria.
- Try your mirror technique, so you can more easily see what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.
