Oh, but I don't! I mastered all those other important things that you have to learn early on in life, like how to ride a bike, swim, play the recorder and pat my head at the same time as rub my stomach and I must say, none of them have come in very useful since. So maybe whistling wouldn't either but, still, I just wish I could, in case one day I have the urge to join in with Otis, Bobby McFerrin, that B&Q advert with the Peter, Bjorn and John song, or serenade the local robin. I can do the oral gymnastics required to make a bottle-neck sing and get a thick blade of grass to shriek like a banshee between my thumbs, but I couldn't do a Roger Whittaker impression to save my life, even if I did grow a beard (which is probably more likely, given my age).
How do you do it? “You just put your lips together and blow” says Lauren Bacall in 'To Have and Have Not', making it sound simple, but I pout and puff and all that happens is... well, something like this...
One day I will whistle, I will.
I bet you can!
I most certainly can...and do....constantly! At some point over the last 15 years I went from being a relentless tapper (fingers on tables, boxes, knees...anything that would make a noise) to being an annoying whistler! I'm not sure which is more irritating, though Mrs S would probably rate them about even!
ReplyDeleteI suppose it depends what tune you're whistling! Also I think it's a dying trend, so maybe you have a duty to mankind to keep it going a little longer. And of course you could always tap and whistle at the same time and audition for Britain's Got Talent ;-)
Delete(Any tips? I keep trying!)
Lauran Bacall is lying.
ReplyDeleteI mean I can make a whistle-ish sound but to really whistle...no.
I'm relieved to hear it's not just me although it does sound like you are way ahead just with a whistle-ish sound! I've concluded I simply have the wrong anatomy: my lips are too round and my teeth are too big. Humphrey Bogart presumably had no such problem.
DeleteI love that film!
ReplyDeleteYes, I can whistle by putting my lips together and blowing, and I can make an ear-splitting whistle with my fingers in my mouth (the trick is to fold your tongue back). We used to practice at break time in school.
Hi mondoagogo - thanks for dropping in :-)
DeleteOh I envy and admire you - a *proper* whistler with the fingers too! I must teach myself to do this if it's the last thing I do - but maybe I left it too late...
Ah, another one! I feel better already - although I am woefully inadequate when it comes to bending thumbs back (yeughh!) I can make my eyelid squeak but, like your thumb-bending, it's not very useful (it only plays one note).
ReplyDeleteI tend to whistle a fair bit - perhaps it's a bloke thing? I must confess I don't know any whistling women. I get lots practise walking The Hound and I'll confess that after reading this top post this morning, I tried the old fingers in the mouth whistle when we'd hit the mountains. Alas, I still can't crack that one. I'd love to - it seems so cool.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do crack that one - just imagine it echoing around the mountains, brilliant! Yes, perhaps it is generally a more blokey thing for some reason?? - I'll have to survey my female friends.
DeleteWhistling? As you folks over there say, easy peasy.
ReplyDeleteEasy peasy for you to say, Dr MVM :-)
DeleteI have this habbit of whistling part of a song over and over when I am in, I would not say uncomfortable situations, yes maybe a little uncomfortable. Shellhunter pointed it out to me. I did not know I was doing it. Apparently, it is some sort of comfort thing. Maybe I should have a favourite dummy hung around my neck for these situations.
ReplyDeleteInteresting psychology there... and I bet most of us have odd little habits that intensify without us realising when we're in certain situations. But I think the dummy might look a bit obvious! ;-)
DeleteCan and often do when I'm in the DIY clothes with a pencil behind my ear - seems to be required somehow. I remember my Dad always doing it... oh God I have become my father!
ReplyDeleteI could never get that two fingers in your mouth really piercing one though that some can do that's beyond me - I'm a devout tuneless whistler of indeterminate songs from popular culture
Yes funny how whistling and DIY seem to go together - personally I'd far prefer the DIYer in question to be whistling rather than moaning, shouting, swearing incessantly or going "grrrrr" every five minutes; it would be quite comforting and suggests that all is in hand and going to plan. If only!
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