# How the Hell Do You Whistle? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 2, 2001, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887 "2001-10-02T02:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/1 "2001-10-02T02:36:10Z")
Seriously, am I the only person on Earth that can’t do it? People say: put your lips together and blow. I try. I watch them and try to emulate. Doesn’t work. Can someone tell me? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/2 "2001-10-02T02:55:37Z")
Thank God for the Internet. Tutorial. [http://www.learn2.com/08/0876/0876.asp](http://www.learn2.com/08/0876/0876.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/3 "2001-10-02T03:01:55Z")
Whoops, hit Submit instead of Preview. That’s for the “TAXI!” whistle. Here’s for the “whistle while you work” whistle. [http://www.thewhistler.com/lesson.htm](http://www.thewhistler.com/lesson.htm) Warning, he’s going to play “Whistle While You Work” on a Casio keyboard ad nauseam… ---
**Author:** ![Joyfulgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Joyfulgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joyfulgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/4 "2001-10-02T03:02:06Z")
You kind of have to tuck your tongue underneath, so the tip of your tongue is touching the back of your teeth. Then make an O with your lips, and blow. I don’t know how anyone can whistle using their fingers. I’ve tried, and nothing happens. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/5 "2001-10-02T03:25:10Z")
I’m in the same boat as you are, **Qwertyasdfg**. I’m 27 years old, and not only can I not whistle, but I can’t snap my fingers either. Pitiful, ain’t it? I’ll take a look at the tutorial and see if it succeeds where many others have failed. ---
**Author:** ![Teach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@Teach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teach)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/6 "2001-10-02T03:33:43Z")
[Lauren Bacall]You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow. [/Lauren Bacall] ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/7 "2001-10-02T03:52:22Z")
[Lauren Bacall] “You just put your lips together and blow…” [/Lauren Bacall] Zenster checking in, who has a 2+ octave fully chromatic factory installed whistle. {DAMN YOUR EYES **Teach**!!! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/8 "2001-10-02T03:56:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qwertyasdfg \* > \*\*Seriously, am I the only person on Earth that can’t do it? \*\* No. My lovely wife can’t whistle either. I make fun of her over it too, so don’t expect sympathy from me.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/9 "2001-10-02T04:01:32Z")
A whistling woman and a crowing hen will surely come to no good end. ---
**Author:** ![Casey\_Primate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@Casey\_Primate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey_Primate)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/10 "2001-10-02T04:55:28Z")
I can’t whistle either. But I’ve given up trying, or even caring, to learn. Now I just find it extremely annoying that whenever I meet a whistler, they feel the need to “teach” me how to whistle. I think they do it just so they can get together with other whistlers and make fun of all the scrunched up faces and “Bronx Cheers” (hi mom!) that I end up doing during my pitiful attempt. Whistling is way overrated. Noone ever got into Harvard on a whistling scholarship. Casey Primate ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/11 "2001-10-02T06:03:23Z")
My GAWD have I tried. And I’ve gotten a bit better; most days I can hit 50% of the notes I’m aiming for. But I have no freakin’ clue how my brother-in-law can stop cars (with radio blaring, AC on, and windows rolled up) with two fingers and a breath, and I’ll never understand how my father can whistle the Star Spangled Banner without anything resmbling problems. And **don’t** get me started the blade of grass whistle :mad: ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/12 "2001-10-02T07:10:53Z")
I can manage a couple whistling tones when drawing air in, like reverse whistling, but other than that, nope. Been trying for years with no luck - I think the ability to hold your mouth right or have the proper air flow channel is simliar to being able to curl your tongue into a cylinder. If it were a simple thing that anybody could do, you wouldn’t consistently see groups of people who can do it effortlessly, some who can sort of do it, and the ever present group that just can’t. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/13 "2001-10-02T12:53:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by chique \* > **My GAWD have I tried. And I’ve gotten a bit better; most days I can hit 50% of the notes I’m aiming for. But I have no freakin’ clue how my brother-in-law can stop cars (with radio blaring, AC on, and windows rolled up) with two fingers and a breath, and I’ll never understand how my father can whistle the Star Spangled Banner without anything resmbling problems.** See, I can whistle any tune you want. I whistle beautifully. But that two-fingers-shriek whistle is just beyond me; I have no idea how to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/14 "2001-10-02T13:31:54Z")
Well, the thing that they never explain, about “whistling” whistling (not “taxi!” whistling) is that you have to use your tongue behind your teeth to shape the air. It’s not enough to just “pucker up and blow”. You’re absolutely right, no sound ever comes out if that’s all you do. The other thing is, it takes practice. Lots and lots of practice, just sitting there and fooling around with different tongue shapes and movements. Definitely try this at home, not out in public. 😃 I originally learned to produce the basic whistle tone when my grandmother encouraged me to imitate a cardinal. That’s the “red bird”, for those of you who are non-birdwatchers. It’s just a very clear, slurred whistle, and it’s very easy to imitate. “WHIT-ooo, WHIT-ooo, WHIT…” Somehow focusing on producing that specific sound, with its combination of vowels and consonants, made it easier. Pucker up, keep your mouth puckered up, and say “WHIT”. That’s a good beginning. Grandma also showed me how to learn to snap your fingers–lick the side of your thumb a little, where the middle finger is supposed to slide down. It helps a lot when you’re just getting started. And _that_ takes lots of practice, too. ---
**Author:** ![bafaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@bafaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bafaa)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/15 "2001-10-02T17:06:47Z")
That was easy! I’ve always been able to whistle a tune but could never do the fingerless taxi whistle. A few minutes at the first link and I think I have the hang of it already. I’m at work so I’ll have to try it at full volume later. 🙂 Incidentally the instructions for the fingered whistle are different from how I do it, which I guess is why I always had trouble with the fingerless version. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/16 "2001-10-02T20:27:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Atreyu \* > \*\*I’m in the same boat as you are, **Qwertyasdfg**. I’m 27 years old, and not only can I not whistle, but I can’t snap my fingers either. > > Pitiful, ain’t it? > \*\* I can only snap my left hand for some reason, and only if I use my pinky. Even then, the snap isn’t that satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![sorrel554](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@sorrel554](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sorrel554)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/17 "2001-10-02T20:49:51Z")
Thanks for that link, DDG! I have always wanted to do the TAXI whistle and I am now about 90% there! ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/18 "2001-10-02T21:13:19Z")
At first by the “Taxi Whistle” I thought you were refering to the show which started Danny DeVito’s and (unfortunatly) Tony Danza’s careers. I have very little experience with Taxis… Anyway, I’m looking more for how to whistle tunes. That website wasn’t very helpful as it just told me what I’ve been hearing for the last 16 years. ---
**Author:** ![skinitalls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@skinitalls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skinitalls)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/19 "2001-10-02T22:56:05Z")
Not only can I not whistle or snap my fingers, but both of my pinkies are crooked, I was born like that, pity me, Dom ---
**Author:** ![deepbluesea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba9def/32.png) [@deepbluesea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deepbluesea)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887/20 "2001-10-03T00:37:16Z")
Speaking here as a Former Non-Whistler, you can learn. I learned. Just try. It helps to watch someone do it so you know how to put your mouth. Then experiment with different tongue positions. Eventually, after LOTS of tries, you’ll make a noise. Not too long afterwards, you’ll make another noise. You’ll progress from there to “can do it but not reliably” and finally to “whistling on command.” I’m 27 years old and I got serious about learning to whistle a little over 2 years ago. So expect to put some time in on this. Is it worth it? Don’t know. The LO doesn’t laugh at me any more, though - well, not about that, anyway. And trying to whistle helps kill the time on lengthy car drives. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-hell-do-you-whistle/84887.md?page=2)