Information AboutWhistling |
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Human whistling is the production of Sound by means of a constant stream of air from the mouth. The air is moderated by the Tongue , Lips , Teeth , or Finger s to create Turbulence , and the mouth acts as a Resonant chamber to enhance the resulting sound, thus acting as a type of Helmholtz Resonator . Whistling can also be produced by Hands , or using an instrument (see Whistle ), some as simple as a blade of Grass . Non-instrumental whistling from the mouth can be accomplished in several ways:
A whistled tone is primarily a simple Oscillation (or Sine Wave ) produced in the resonant chamber, and thus Timbral variations are slight. The Pitch of a whistle can be altered by changing the volume and shape of the resonant chamber (most typically by using the tongue). It is also possible to whistle and Hum at the same time. An easy way of doing this is to shape the throat and lips as if one was going to whistle and softly sing "oooowwww". As you are doing this, slowly start to focus the air towards the front of your mouth and tighten your lips so that you are whistling. With enough practice, it is possible for one to hum and whistle two separate melodies at the same time. One of the most prolific "hum-whistlers" is A.J. Johnson, of Leeds, who, in recent years, has appeared in a number of West End and Yorkshire-based plays demonstrating his craft with a live orchestral backdrop. Some languages and code languages use whistles as a part of their communication; this is referred to as Whistled Speech . Hand whistling is used to indicate both satisfaction and displeasure, usually at, but not limited to, sporting events, political rallies, social gatherings, and movies. One specific type of whistling (a pitch-bend up, a brief stop, and then a quick pitch-bend up and back down in a continuous manner) can also be used to denote physical attractiveness in the one being whistled at. This is considered very poor manners in the Western world, and can even be considered a form of harassment in a professional setting. The usual setting is a man whistling at an attractive woman, but it can happen between virtually anyone. It may also be used jokingly as a compliment between closer individuals, in a romantic relationship, for example. MUSICAL/MELODIC WHISTLING Whistling can be musical: many performers on the Music Hall and Vaudeville circuits were professional whistlers, the most famous of which were Ronnie Ronalde and Fred Lowery and several notable songs feature whistling in some capacity. The term '' Puccalo '' refers to Jazz whistling. Pucker whistling is the most common form of whistling used in most Western music. Typically, the tongue tip is lowered, often placed behind the lower teeth, and pitch altered by varying the position of the Tongue body. In particular, the point at which the Dorsum of the tongue approximates the palate varies from near the uvula (for low notes) to near the alveolar ridges (for high notes). Although varying the degree of pucker will change the pitch of a pucker whistle, expert pucker whistlers will generally only make small variations to the degree of pucker, due to its tendency to affect purity of tone. By contrast, many expert musical palatal whistlers will substantially alter the position of the lips to ensure a good quality tone. Venetian gondoliers are famous for moving the lips in a way that can look like singing, whilst they whistle. For a list of songs that feature whistling, see List Of Songs Featuring Whistling . Other examples of whistling include:
WHISTLING AND SUPERSTITION Whistling in theatre, particularly on-stage, is considered extremely unlucky. Before the invention of electronic means of communication, often sailors were used as Stage Technicians , working with the Complicated Rope Systems associated with Flying . Coded whistles would be used to call Cues , so it is thought that whistling on-stage may cause, for example, a cue to come early, a "sailor's Ghost " to drop a Batten or Flat on top of you, or general bad luck in the performance. In Russia n and other Slavic cultures, whistling indoors is superstitiously believed to bring poverty ("whistling money away"), whereas whistling outdoors is considered normal. Passport Magazine article In Serbia , it is said that when you whistle indoors Mice will come. Whistling on board a sailing ship is thought to encourage the wind strength to increase (although this can be good, up to a point, for wind-driven ships, it can naturally become dangerous if the wind becomes too strong). This is regularly alluded to the Aubrey-Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian. SEE ALSO
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