I just got a new Burke whistle (Brass pro session). It is a lovely whistle but I find my fingers are sticking to it. This makes some ornimentation difficult. Has anyone else had this 'sticky finger' problem, or know of it and how to overcome it? My other whistles are alloy and I have never encountered this before.
If it's like the cheap brass Generation whistle, a new one will have a very thin coating that soon rubs off with use. Better a sticky whistle than a slippery one, IMO!
I put chapstick on my fingers before I play.. It helps me get a good closed hole note and I can actually play faster with less slop and airleaks... plus my fingers never get chapped!
I use WhistleGloves (now available from areyoureallybuyingthis?.com).
They are bright green, made of finest quality brushed kevlar, come in wrist, elbow and shoulder lengths, and are "guaranteed to plug the holes on the orneriest whistle or your money back."
Also available in in Royal Stewart Tartan and RealTree camouflage.
-I'd avoid talc if you're a clog-clearing whistler like me whom clears the fipple by inhalation. -Talc (I've read here: http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm) has serious health problems associated with its inhalation, probably more so for kids' lung tissues for whom effects are concentrated relative to adults.
Fingers Sticking to Whistle
Fingers Sticking to Whistle
I just got a new Burke whistle (Brass pro session). It is a lovely whistle but I find my fingers are sticking to it. This makes some ornimentation difficult. Has anyone else had this 'sticky finger' problem, or know of it and how to overcome it? My other whistles are alloy and I have never encountered this before.
Thanks
Karl.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by karl_buk
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
Stop picking your nose before playing it.
Nah, joking. Try chalk or talc.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
Is there a protective coating on the metal?
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
If it's like the cheap brass Generation whistle, a new one will have a very thin coating that soon rubs off with use. Better a sticky whistle than a slippery one, IMO!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
Thanks for the advice so far. I will keep my fingers out of my nose! Got an email from Michael Burke about it. He suggested using talc as well.
He gave no indication of there being a protective coating on the whistle, but did say that he had polished it.
I will have a go at the talc suggestion. Is this common practice for whistelers?
Karl.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by karl_buk
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
I put chapstick on my fingers before I play.. It helps me get a good closed hole note and I can actually play faster with less slop and airleaks... plus my fingers never get chapped!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by lamh trom
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
I use WhistleGloves (now available from areyoureallybuyingthis?.com).
They are bright green, made of finest quality brushed kevlar, come in wrist, elbow and shoulder lengths, and are "guaranteed to plug the holes on the orneriest whistle or your money back."
Also available in in Royal Stewart Tartan and RealTree camouflage.
Good morning all. Ah, there's my coffee. ; )
# Posted on May 5th 2007 by Rook
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
-I'd avoid talc if you're a clog-clearing whistler like me whom clears the fipple by inhalation. -Talc (I've read here: http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm) has serious health problems associated with its inhalation, probably more so for kids' lung tissues for whom effects are concentrated relative to adults.
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by pubpersona
Re: Fingers Sticking to Whistle
-Besides inhalation potential of talc applied to whistles, it appears talc is carcinogenic in other personal applications
as well- per the above link.
# Posted on May 6th 2007 by pubpersona