Ceramics Today - How to Make a Clay Whistle

Below you will find a sequence of photographs with accompanying text that describes the fundamentals of a clay whistle making technique. I discovered quite by accident sometime around 1970. It is simple and works every time, if you follow the sequence. However, there are a few variables that come into play. Generally, the more plastic the clay, and the smaller the inclusions (grog/sand) the easier it is to form the more delicate parts. I have never tried this technique with polymer "clay". However, I have had reports from others who say they have had some success.

I have tried to point out the other variables as they pertain to the process in the accompanying text. You will probably have to fiddle around some to get yours to sound, but don't be discouraged! I have tried to distill the technique to the essential elements. It lends itself to considerable variation. So, experiment, push the limits, keep trying! Remember, it's just clay.

	1. Form a pinch pot. Most any size will do. Just keep in mind that the chamber size will be one of the factors that impacts tone. Try to keep the wall thickness as uniform as possible; it will serve you well at a later stage.
	2. Pinch the edges of the pot together. Just the edges. The purpose here is to form the basic chamber.
	3. You are making a hollow form with as much interior volume as you can.
	4. "Sew" the edges together by scoring.
	5. Smooth the scored edges. You can use any kind of tool that will accomplish the task. Just your fingers will do. The goal is to get an air tight, sealed, hollow form.
	6. Once you have the form sealed you can begin to form and shape it. As will become apparent, the Fat Taco or Empanada shape you end up with at this stage lends itself well to a variety of designs. Mine tend toward the organic, or critter forms. You don't need to do any forming at all if you just want something that will make a tone (s). However, if you do plan to form or attach anything, this is the time to do it. My suggestion is to just learn to make the whistle and then, when you have mastered that, Let the Rumpus Begin! Here I'm paddling the shape. You can be very aggressive or, as a friend of mine says, "Spank It !"
	7. When you get the shape and form you want.....after all the attachments have been made, then, and only then can you safely pierce the form. What you see at the left illustrates the tool and the method I use to form the wedge to split the air. The real whistle makers have a term for this part of the whistle, but I don't know what it is. Anyway, take the blunt end of a dowel or needle tool and, holding it at about a 45 degree angle to the surface of the form, push it into the interior (between 20 and 60 degrees will work, too). Don't push it all the way through both sides. It is important that you pull the tool out at the same angle that you pushed it in. You just want to put a hole in one wall. A clean, sharp (squared) edge on the dowel, will produce a clean hole and a sharp wedge. Be sure you check to see if the little "pill" of clay that is formed on the end of the tool doesn't re-plug the hole when you extract the dowel. I like to push the "pill" into the hollow form and have it as a rattle.