I have an Alba Low D whistle which sounds amazing but i noticed that recently it has lost it's metallic shine that it used to have. Is there a specific way to clean the outside (and inside) of a whistle?
Haven't you heard the expression "clean as a whistle?"
Inside the body shouldn't need any cleaning; only distilled water
gets in there from condensation. You shouldn't be drooling into it.
The mouthpiece might get a bit of saliva etc in it. That can
leave a deposit that changes the internal shape, affecting the
tone. If you soak the mouthpiece in a mild soap solution
and luke warm water with a rinse, that should do the trick.
You don't want to do anything much that affects the lower part of
the mouthpiece. You could ruin the whole thing. Sometimes I
get a mouthful of warm water and blast it through the mouthpiece
in both directions, closing it off of course.
Aye, it's very important to clean the inside of the body as well as the mouthpiece. It affects both tone and volume. Use warm soapy water and a cleaning brush like that you would use for a sax, you can get them in hardware shops. The mouthpiece should always be kept clean. For Overton I use a strip of hotel key card or old bank card cut to the right width for each whistle - it's exactly the right thickness for the mouthpiece. Once you've loosened and cleaned the best you can, cover the holes with your fingers and put the bottom up to a tap forcing water through very quickly.
Usually I give it a rise with washing up liquid which helps stop condensation. It's amazing how clear and more playable a whistle is when it's properly looked after.
I always have a bit of yellow duster which I grip very tightly round my whistle before pushing it through from one end to the other a couple of times. The reason I do it is to warm the whistle by friction, which makes it sound better and helps minimize condensation; but it has the added advantage(?) of keeping the whistle shiny. Inside is kept clean by periodically flushing through with warm water and swabbing with a pom-pom tied on a wooden knitting needle. The mouthpiece I clean out with a wing-feather, which you can find near any cat.
dude sorry that they have misread your query... a tiny amount of soap and water to wash the outside bidy, then a little bit of elbow grease. buff it and it will shine again. personally however it looks better when the whistke isnt shiny as new because it gives the impression that it is played a lot and that is GOOD =]
rachel
Cleaning a whistle. Whack it in a downward motion against your palm with open end away from you. Saliva and Guinness backwash will shoot out towards floor. Do not aim at anyone. Whistle is now clean. Have another drink and then continue playing whistle.
Test tube brushes go down to about 1mm, at least in theory, and are available from medical and scientific suppliers online. Pipe cleaners might also work, or even a bit of dental floss.
Cleaning a whistle
Cleaning a whistle
I have an Alba Low D whistle which sounds amazing but i noticed that recently it has lost it's metallic shine that it used to have. Is there a specific way to clean the outside (and inside) of a whistle?
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by Bowen Constrictor
Re: Cleaning a whistle
The music is meant to shine, not the whistle. A shiny whistle looks as though it isn't used much. Let it age gracefully!
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by Bredna
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Haven't you heard the expression "clean as a whistle?"
Inside the body shouldn't need any cleaning; only distilled water
gets in there from condensation. You shouldn't be drooling into it.
The mouthpiece might get a bit of saliva etc in it. That can
leave a deposit that changes the internal shape, affecting the
tone. If you soak the mouthpiece in a mild soap solution
and luke warm water with a rinse, that should do the trick.
You don't want to do anything much that affects the lower part of
the mouthpiece. You could ruin the whole thing. Sometimes I
get a mouthful of warm water and blast it through the mouthpiece
in both directions, closing it off of course.
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by Hup
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Alluminium oxide, unlike iron oxide, forms a protective layer
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by ...
Re: Cleaning a whistle
"Inside the body shouldn't need any cleaning; only distilled water gets in there from condensation"
Unfortunately the condensation inside will cause dust to stick in there, and you do get a build up of dirt.
wrap a bit of cloth round the end of a stick and shove it up the hole and give it a good cleaning. You won't do it any damage.
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by showaddydadito
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Aye, it's very important to clean the inside of the body as well as the mouthpiece. It affects both tone and volume. Use warm soapy water and a cleaning brush like that you would use for a sax, you can get them in hardware shops. The mouthpiece should always be kept clean. For Overton I use a strip of hotel key card or old bank card cut to the right width for each whistle - it's exactly the right thickness for the mouthpiece. Once you've loosened and cleaned the best you can, cover the holes with your fingers and put the bottom up to a tap forcing water through very quickly.
Usually I give it a rise with washing up liquid which helps stop condensation. It's amazing how clear and more playable a whistle is when it's properly looked after.
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by bogman
Re: Cleaning a whistle
I agree. it's amazing how much easier to play and better your overton sounds when it's had a good scrub up
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by ...
Re: Cleaning a whistle
I always have a bit of yellow duster which I grip very tightly round my whistle before pushing it through from one end to the other a couple of times. The reason I do it is to warm the whistle by friction, which makes it sound better and helps minimize condensation; but it has the added advantage(?) of keeping the whistle shiny. Inside is kept clean by periodically flushing through with warm water and swabbing with a pom-pom tied on a wooden knitting needle. The mouthpiece I clean out with a wing-feather, which you can find near any cat.
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by gam
Re: Cleaning a whistle
dude sorry that they have misread your query... a tiny amount of soap and water to wash the outside bidy, then a little bit of elbow grease. buff it and it will shine again. personally however it looks better when the whistke isnt shiny as new because it gives the impression that it is played a lot and that is GOOD =]
rachel
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by Mrs.Lonal Dunny
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Clean it?
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by Piece
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Cleaning a whistle. Whack it in a downward motion against your palm with open end away from you. Saliva and Guinness backwash will shoot out towards floor. Do not aim at anyone. Whistle is now clean. Have another drink and then continue playing whistle.
# Posted on August 14th 2009 by shanty
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Anyone know where you can buy itty, itty bitty bottle brushes? I've got an ocarina collection that needs some attention.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by CW
Re: Cleaning a whistle
Test tube brushes go down to about 1mm, at least in theory, and are available from medical and scientific suppliers online. Pipe cleaners might also work, or even a bit of dental floss.
# Posted on August 15th 2009 by Slightly Mad Scientist