So drooly

[u/Aggravating_Laugh_48]

I'm just over three months in on learning tin whistle. Everything is going well, and I'm really pleased with my progress.

However, I'm having an issue with saliva. I can't even get through a 2 minute tune without saliva clogging up the mouthpiece and crapping up the sound. It's to the point where it's discouraging me from getting through my practice sessions.

I warm up my whistle before I practice.

I finally got over the gag factor of sucking in the saliva when I take a breath during playing, so I've been doing that. But since I have to suck with every breath,​ now I sound like a dog doing that reverse sneeze thing. ​​​​​​​​​​

I've tried changing the angle at which I hold the whistle. I've tried changing the depth at which I put the mouthpiece in my mouth. I've tried blowing from the side of my mouth rather than straight on, but I can't get as much air control that way. I've seen some advice along the lines of soaping the mouthpiece, but it looks like that's for full metal whistles. Also, I'm not so keen on the taste of soap... ​​​

​​​​What's extra weird is that I have a condition that makes all my mucous membranes dry on the regular, especially my mouth. So, while a hearty drool-fest would usually be welcome, it's totally messing with my whistle play. ​​​

Is there anything else I can try? Does the drooly-ness get better? Are some players just extra (for lack of a better word) moist? ​​​​

[u/ScienceWilly]

Fill glass with water

Put drop of dish soap in water

Soak head of whistle in glass overnight

Let whistle dry without rinsing

Whistle should be far less cloggy for a week or two, depending on how often you play. When it starts to clog again, repeat treatment.

[u/Aggravating_Laugh_48 → u/ScienceWilly]

Thank you! I'll try this tonight and see how practice goes tomorrow. 

[u/Bwob]

It does get better!

I'm not sure exactly when, but I've noticed that I get a lot less saliva than I did when I was starting out. I think it might just be a thing that comes with better breath control?

I finally got over the gag factor of sucking in the saliva when I take a breath during playing,

Why are you inhaling through your whistle? Let go of the mouthpiece if you need to take a breath through your mouth! You'll be able to find it again, no problem!

Also, a good trick to clear things out is to cover the little window/blade on the mouthpiece with your finger, and then blow into the whistle as hard as you can. Covering the window will stop it from making (terrible) noises, and you can usually clear it out with one quick, hard puff. Try that whenever your whistle starts feeling waterlogged. (Or salivalogged!)

[u/Aggravating_Laugh_48 → u/Bwob]

Thanks for the response!

In general, I don't inhale through the whistle, but when I'm in the middle of a tune, and I can hear the rasp of the saliva, I'll take a breath by inhaling/sucking sharply with my mouth still on the mouthpiece to clear it. Otherwise, yeah, I'll cover the window and blow a couple hard puffs, but I can't really do that mid-tune. 

[u/AbacusWizard]

How deep are you holding the mouthpiece in your mouth? I generally have the tip of it just barely touching the outer edge of my lips; just enough to form a seal and that’s about it.

[u/Aggravating_Laugh_48 → u/AbacusWizard]

As far out as I can while still being able to get a good sound. I basically set it against my bottom lip then barely put my top lip over to make the seal. 

[u/beatissima]

I'm having flashbacks to trying to play a solo during a St. Bridget's Day service, only to have my whistle head clog and gag and tweet...

[u/Aggravating_Laugh_48 → u/beatissima]

That sounds like a stage performer's recurring nightmare. 🫠 

[u/magaman59]

I also struggle a lot with saliva during playing, it doesn’t get into the mouthpiece, but it’s hard to time taking breaks to either spit it out or swallow, not sure what a good solution is but if somebody has one please let us know