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In Memoriam

Willow Whistle

How to make a willow whistle from a piece of weeping willow. This is how my great uncle showed me when I was 8~10.

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:47

Cut a chunk from new willow trimmings. The appropriate length is dependent upon the width/dia ...and... skill. Cut a big chunk right off the bat .. makes that first "do over" look.almost.natural.

The left end is beginning to take shape. Note the curved cut for the mouthpiece.

The blade on the whistle to be shows where the bark is "ringed". Cut through just the bark.

Tapping (close the knife blade & use the butt end of the knife) on the portion of the bark you wish to remove loosens it. Hammering on it breaks it .. the bark.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:49

Begin with a branch/cutting of willow .. weeping willow cut in the spring shortly after the sap begins to flow .. preferred.

This pic shows the bark just beginning to slide off & be removed .. note the gap to the left of the blade.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:49

The bark is almost fully removed. Slide it off carefully.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:51

The bark has been successfully removed.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:53

First thing to do once the bark has been successfully removed, re-installed, 'n aligned .. is to cut the notch.

Pic is with the notch just cut .. top view.

H2O helps .. keep everything moist !!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:55

Notch just cut .. side view.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 1, 2011 at 23:56

Shows beginning of resonant cavity. This step where you’re forming the resonant cavity .. take it easy .. it is real easy to cut right through to the under-cut for the lower lip. Real easy !!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 2, 2011 at 0:02

Excercise caution when forming the resonant cavity !!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 2, 2011 at 0:05

Be careful .. a series of smaller cuts .. be careful not to cut all the way through !!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 2, 2011 at 0:10

The resonant cavity is finished ..now.. the addition of the flat cut for the airway .. 'n take that one easy too .. things are just getting fragile by this point .. not a lot of meat/wood left in some areas.