Always time to whistle: How a whistle works...

Sometimes my inner geek escapes and answers questions you did not know you had. How does a whistle work? Also covers the names of the parts of a whistle and a bit of whistle history. Riveting stuff!

[@enque01]

Thank you, after searching for a long time, this is the first explanation I've managed to find that actually explains the fundamental physical principle that causes the oscillation. I needed this understanding for designing a device I'm building.

[@Lecker_Pizza]

Thank you sir for doing such a clear explanation.

[@umairahmed1874]

Here in Pakistan, where I live, we have fipple flutes made out of metal or tin, yet people here have never call them "pennywhistle". Instead we call them "Bansuri" which is a word more commonly used for bamboo flutes lol😂. So yeah names might change from place to place.

[@jasonahaus9558]

Thank you!

[@todddavidson1332]

thanks for explaining this so well, I went down a rabbit hole and I'm glad I found a clear answer

[@bernadettegorman9975]

What an excellent video. Thank you for taking the time to explain this. It’s much more fun playing when one knows some of the history of the whistle

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ocean_Forever]

Thank u sir for such a perfect explanation, I couldn't read my book further, until my doubt was cleared

[@awangs3018]

Thankyouuuu

[@riverwindflutes]

Very informative, Is that large bore D plastic whistle made by the Whistle Smith ?, how do you like it and how does it sound ? Thanks

[@StephenIngraham]

riverwindflutes Yes it is a WhistleSmith. I am preparing a brief review of three hand-made whistles, including the WhistleSmith. It has a more “flutey” sound, with some of the resonance of a low flute but in high D. I am not sure a traditional whistler would like it, but it is certainly different. You have to push the second octave...but the first octave is very stable.

[@riverwindflutes]

@@StephenIngraham I'm looking forward to that review

[@richardmurrayaalbcassist7279]

will you make a similar video explaining the native american style flute?

[@StephenIngraham]

Might do…but both are “fipple flutes” and work almost identically…only the pennywhistle does not have the slow air chamber to smooth out the breath…so is more difficult to pay. If you look at the High Spirits Nova flutes, you will see that they are essentially wooden pennywhistles with larger bores and tuned to pentatonic. :)

[@richardmurrayaalbcassist7279]

​@@StephenIngraham I see:) thank you sir en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_flute#/media/File:Native_American_flute_Composite_Anatomy.jpg

[@richardmurrayaalbcassist7279]

@@StephenIngraham the fipple int he native american flute is merely detachable, and it has the slow air chamber. thank you again