I always just clean mine like I clean my flute. Attach a small piece of cloth to a small dowel or other long stick-like object, and run it up through the whistle. I've used water on whistles before, but don't know if this is advised.
Oh, and the picture I'm guessing is a whistle with the six holes to the left and the mouthpiece to the right. Do I win anything?
Look, UglyBloke, why did you post this thread? You can't really need instructions on how to clean a whistle...
Are you lonely?
My partner has a sister in Fleetwood if you want to meet someone completely deranged.
Cover the windway with a finger, put your left-hand fingers on the top three holes, pucker your lips around the fipple, and blow hard. Oh...and aim the other end at some offensive sod who's making too much noise. This'll clear out any drool, lint, and body parts lodged inside the whistle, and, depending on how much you dislodge and your accuracy, the offensive sod may leave, too.
Otherwise, if your whistle is metal or plastic (not wood), dish soap and warm water will remove most gunk--just dry the whistle well afterward, inside and out. I usually pull the mouthpiece off the barrel for a thorough cleaning, and then dab on just a speck of vaseline (petroleum jely) where the mouthpiece fits over the barrel so it's easy to tune.
I've logged countless hours on my favorite whistles, and I've never had a problem which required advanced cleaning, nor any treatment more serious than with covering the soundhole and blowing hard or else shaking the moisture out with a snapping motion. (It is, btw, traditional to aim at the nearest bodhran when performing the latter activity.)
Is there some special way you're supposed to clean whistles with a wooden block at the top(what's the name of that bit?!).
Someone mentioned it once but i forgot!
It's just that my whistle is starting to sound really clogged up and it keeps bunging up in the middle of a tune. Maybe it's the make, or maybe it's the tacky diamonds on the front (it's a clarke) or maybe it's me?
To clean the windway, find an old (but fresh) feather, and use a drop of dish detergent in a lukewarm cup of water. Gently clean the windway, flush it with clean water, and blow through it for a minute to dry. This works for wooden whistles as well as plastic ones. As long as you don't let the water sit inside for any period of time the wood won't be damaged.
For cleaning the barrel, nothing beats a gun cleaning kit with either a shotgun or .22 swab, depending on the caliber of your whistle (cheap at Wal-mart).
flutietutie-how long have you been playing your clarkes for? this is natural as the wooden block (i think its called the fipple, but dont take my word for it) swells with your spit over time. the same thing happens with shaws. basically, it isnt you. id suggest getting another whistle (sweetones are nice, and cheap!)
I clean my wooden instruments with denatured alcohol, using a small strip of soft cotton cloth (old cotton T-shirts work well) held by a loop in the end of a piece of wire (I make it from a coat hanger). Swab thoroughly two or three times to remove lint, old oils, dirt, spit, etc. Then with a fresh piece of cloth and swab the instrument, inside and out, with almond oil. David Shorey, a nationally renowned restorer and repairer of flutes and other woodwinds, told me years ago that almond oil is one of the best oils to use on wooden instruments, so that's what I use.
I oil my instruments fairly regularly, and I find that a good cleaning once a year keeps them from getting sticky with accumulated gunk.
Cleaning Whistles
Cleaning Whistles
any advice on cleaning whistles?
mine are getting filthy, and i think its starting to affect the sound
___ __ __ __ __ __ ______ __
________________________/
(sorry about the pic, i got bored. Can you guess what it is?)
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
I always just clean mine like I clean my flute. Attach a small piece of cloth to a small dowel or other long stick-like object, and run it up through the whistle. I've used water on whistles before, but don't know if this is advised.
Oh, and the picture I'm guessing is a whistle with the six holes to the left and the mouthpiece to the right. Do I win anything?
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by Jason G
Re: Cleaning Whistles
It's got six holes - is it a third of a golf course?
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by Ottery
Re: Cleaning Whistles
your prize is the deep, warm feeling of satisfaction
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Thanks!
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by Ottery
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Look, UglyBloke, why did you post this thread? You can't really need instructions on how to clean a whistle...
Are you lonely?
My partner has a sister in Fleetwood if you want to meet someone completely deranged.
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by Ottery
Re: Cleaning Whistles
now you mention it, i am kinda lonely...
but no thanks.
And I did post this thread because i wanted instructions on how to clean a whistle thankyou
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Cover the windway with a finger, put your left-hand fingers on the top three holes, pucker your lips around the fipple, and blow hard. Oh...and aim the other end at some offensive sod who's making too much noise. This'll clear out any drool, lint, and body parts lodged inside the whistle, and, depending on how much you dislodge and your accuracy, the offensive sod may leave, too.
Otherwise, if your whistle is metal or plastic (not wood), dish soap and warm water will remove most gunk--just dry the whistle well afterward, inside and out. I usually pull the mouthpiece off the barrel for a thorough cleaning, and then dab on just a speck of vaseline (petroleum jely) where the mouthpiece fits over the barrel so it's easy to tune.
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Next time, follow this sequence:
1. Bite
2. Chew
3. SWALLOW!
4. Play the whistle.
I've logged countless hours on my favorite whistles, and I've never had a problem which required advanced cleaning, nor any treatment more serious than with covering the soundhole and blowing hard or else shaking the moisture out with a snapping motion. (It is, btw, traditional to aim at the nearest bodhran when performing the latter activity.)
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by s1m0n
Re: Cleaning Whistles
hurling spit at bodhran players sounds fun, but i am a bodhran player as well as whistle (and guitar)so this might be slightly unethical
# Posted on September 11th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
umm..... i dont know if i can tolerate this whole consideration thing. what kind of world do we live in....
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by daiv
Re: Cleaning Whistles
[quote]hurling spit at bodhran players sounds fun[/quote]
Ah--note that I suggested hurling spit at the bodhran, NOT the player.
That way, when caught, you can plausibly claim that you were merely tuning the skin.
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by s1m0n
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Is there some special way you're supposed to clean whistles with a wooden block at the top(what's the name of that bit?!).
Someone mentioned it once but i forgot!
It's just that my whistle is starting to sound really clogged up and it keeps bunging up in the middle of a tune. Maybe it's the make, or maybe it's the tacky diamonds on the front (it's a clarke) or maybe it's me?
Uglyboy- ROCK ON! :¬D
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Cleaning Whistles
To clean the windway, find an old (but fresh) feather, and use a drop of dish detergent in a lukewarm cup of water. Gently clean the windway, flush it with clean water, and blow through it for a minute to dry. This works for wooden whistles as well as plastic ones. As long as you don't let the water sit inside for any period of time the wood won't be damaged.
For cleaning the barrel, nothing beats a gun cleaning kit with either a shotgun or .22 swab, depending on the caliber of your whistle (cheap at Wal-mart).
David
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by Dabooks
Re: Cleaning Whistles
flutietutie-how long have you been playing your clarkes for? this is natural as the wooden block (i think its called the fipple, but dont take my word for it) swells with your spit over time. the same thing happens with shaws. basically, it isnt you. id suggest getting another whistle (sweetones are nice, and cheap!)
___ ___
| | | |
| |_____| |
| | | | | Rock on !!!
| _____ |
\ / ____| |
\_/______/
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
Please excuse the picture, i messed it up
# Posted on September 12th 2004 by UglyBoyJoe
Re: Cleaning Whistles
what is it supposed to be?
# Posted on September 13th 2004 by daiv
Re: Cleaning Whistles
I clean my wooden instruments with denatured alcohol, using a small strip of soft cotton cloth (old cotton T-shirts work well) held by a loop in the end of a piece of wire (I make it from a coat hanger). Swab thoroughly two or three times to remove lint, old oils, dirt, spit, etc. Then with a fresh piece of cloth and swab the instrument, inside and out, with almond oil. David Shorey, a nationally renowned restorer and repairer of flutes and other woodwinds, told me years ago that almond oil is one of the best oils to use on wooden instruments, so that's what I use.
I oil my instruments fairly regularly, and I find that a good cleaning once a year keeps them from getting sticky with accumulated gunk.
# Posted on September 13th 2004 by Dwatted Wabbit