Whistle

music · sound · air-powered · instruments

Sound from air. Whistles work by blowing air through a tiny opening called a fipple, which makes the air vibrate and create a high-pitched, piercing sound. It's one of the simplest ways to make music.

Many different sizes. Whistles come in all sizes, from tiny slide whistles you can hold in your hand to enormous multi-piped organ whistles in big churches. Some whistles are even powered by steam instead of your breath.

Not just for music. Whistles aren't just for making melodies, police officers use them to get attention, referees blow them in sports, and ships use steam whistles to signal other boats at sea.

Even nose whistles. Some whistles are so small they fit in your nose, and people can actually make music by blowing air out their nose instead of their mouth, though that takes practice.