Willow Whistle Tutorial

Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 15:45 Written by TheMightyMitch Tuesday, 12 July 2011 15:38

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You will need a piece of willow about the size of your thumb, and a sharp knife.

Cut the mouthpiece and a notch in the top, like so. Also cut the bark around the stick a few centimeters back

Then tap the bark all over, until you see it start to 'bruise'. this loosens the bark from the wood.

You should be able to twist the bark off, be careful it doesn't split though! Rolleyes

Carve the notch out about as deep as it can go, and take a little off the top at the mouthpiece for the air to go through.

Slide the bark back on and try it out! A good one will be almost as loud as a store bought whistle Smile

Comments

+1 #14 Janet 2013-06-06 03:39

My neighbour used poplar or willow and it had to be freshly cut. I've tried to remember how to make these whistles for many years, but I just couldn't. Thank you so much for bringing a very happy childhood memory back to life.

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0 #13 Hazily 2013-05-29 20:23

Omg does not work :-*

Oops

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0 #12 jack 2013-04-24 15:20

My Grandfather used to make these for me. I passed it on to my children. They are still being made every time we get a new toddler in the family. Great fun for little people. Thanks for the post though as you are passing on an old tradition

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0 #11 Wickedywitch 2013-04-23 16:52

thankyou for showing how to make these, I have a camp and the kids will have great fun making these

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0 #10 Scott 2013-04-09 05:08

An old man family friend showed me how to make these out of both willow and hickory have been amazing kids and baby boom ers alike for nearly 50 years now. Kids think you are sooooooo cool. Lots of toy and tools can be made from natural stuff with a little old time savvy

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+1 #9 les 2013-03-20 02:13

Thanks for this,my Grandfather made 1 for me over 50 years ago.I never was able to show my grand kids,so now I'll be able to show it to my great grand kids ,some day.

Les..