I told my kids that my grandfather used to carve whistles out of hollow sticks of cane. They asked me to make them one. I tried three times, but I just don't know how. Is there anyone who has made these that can explain it to me? I know the kids would love them.

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002

Answers

with a knife

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 13, 2002.

Gayle: Try www.chiffandfipple.com, I believe Dale has a page dedicated to making your own whistle. Also, by surfing the links there (or posting question on the message board) you ought to find some relevant information. Another possible resource is brother steve's tin whistle pages, I believe the URL is rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/toc.html. These are Irish whistle links, but probably your grandfather was working a similar 6 hole model. They can be hand-carved (a la Stan), or made with standard plumbing supplies, to good effect. I've heard some great homemade whistles. Good luck!

-- Sean (rougan@rcn.com), April 13, 2002.

, http://mitglied.lycos.de/jkoeller/flute.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

Try this again, Willow Flute, http://mitglied.lycos.de/jkoeller/flute.htm

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

we used to make recorders out of hollow tubes of brittle grass a hole in the top to blow into three more to place your fingers over and one on the bottom to place your finger over. Ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), April 13, 2002.

Maybe www.makestuff.com have plans.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

Jay,

I haven't found what I wanted on MakeStuff.com yet, but what a GREAT SITE!! Thanks a million!

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

My father used to make them for us out of cane poles. They resembled flutes like the high school band uses. You hold it sideways. Don't use elderberry, though, because some of them are poisonous. Robin

-- Robin Downing (Southpawrobin1@aol.com), April 14, 2002.