Mouth Calling

[walleyeslammer]

I know I will get a lot of differing opinions here, but what words do you use to make the different calls on a mouth call. I have tried a bunch, but haven't quite gotten the sounds I want yet.

[DonBo]

KEE YOW is what you want to say for a yelp. When you can do the "National Anthem" you'll have it down pretty good. Seriously, use it in the car (as not to drive anyone crazy) and sing along to the tunes. Nothing beats practice.

Good luck, and don't forget to carry the box call...

[Hotspotter]

Chuck.

Cheeeeeeee-uck.

Basically, you're going for the hi/low "break" in the yelp. Cluck is just "chuck."

I can't overemphasize the pressure you need in your chest/gut, as well as the firmness in your jaw/mouth muscles.

Take a deep breath, and hold it, flexing your abdominal musles and creating pressure against your diaphragm. This will keep your air flow controlled and steady.

If you've ever played a musical instrument, you'll know what I mean when I say embouchure (pronounced omi-sher). It involves pursing your lips, and holding your facial muscles in a tight manner to again, promote consistency and control.

You need to be relaxed while doing both, and your mouth should get a bit sore at first if you practice enough, but that learned-position will help you call better with a diaphragm.

Joel

[Scott M]

Joel, did you play brass or woodwinds?

That's a pretty good description of what it takes. I usually end up with a tongue that's a little numb, in a funky back-from-the-dentist way. Once you find that sweet spot you are good to go.

With any call you need to find the sweet spot, whether its drawing circles on a slate, finding the best sound on the lip of your box call, or finding the sweet spot on the diaphragm.

[Cooter]

A bit off subject but in addition to the words you use a couple other related factors. For me it can be the brand of call but more likely the number of reeds and the cut - I can take two calls from the same company and be happy with the sound I get out of one and the other sounds like junk....reeds and cut on top.

Also, I cannot purr on a mouth call - I can't roll my tongue and produce that sweet barred owl sound at the end of a series...we're all built a little different. Nonetheless you'll find out with time, practice, and experimenting that you can call more than good enough with a diaphragm to kill turkeys....much more important variables than contest quality calling skills to kill turkeys. Let us know how things progress.

[Borch]

There are a couple of ways to do the purr on a mouth call. I do the lip buzz technique like you're giving someone the raspberry. The tongue flutter technique is too inconsistent for me.

[Cooter]

Drop it Borch - I've given up on it forever

[Hotspotter]

No way! Purring on a mouth call is the most realistic of any if done right!

1. Try buzzing the lips

2. Try fluttering the tongue

3. Try making the vibrato come from the back of your throat (i.e. gargling)

I personally use #3 as I think it's the more easily reproducible and consistent with for myself. If you can gargle saltwater or mouthwash, you can do the same thing with a diaphragm in your mouth.

Or make the race car sound going through the gears. Same thing.

Joel

[Cooter]

You dirty corklickers - it was in the past and I was well into the healing stage until now, thanks a lot Guess I'll have to giver a try again - if it doesn't work out you're in big trouble!!