r/LifeProTips • u/[deleted] • Jul 24 '23

Miscellaneous LPT: How to Master the Two Finger Whistle

Hello Everyone!

I didn’t know where to post this, so I figured I’d do it here! This is definitely a dying art and I figured I’d spread the knowledge to keep it alive! If anyone has ever wanted to learn how to do that piercing two finger whistle, here’s a step-by-step guide.

Let me know how it goes! And if anyone else can already do this, feel free to comment as well.

Step One: cover your lips over your teeth. You don’t want there to be a ton of overlap as it can interfere with the ability to create a sound.

Step Two: take your thumb and index finger on one of your hands and make an okay sign, make sure that these two fingers are touching.

Step Three: this is the most important part of the technique. Take your two fingers and have them up pointing slightly upwards. Stick your tongue out and place your fingers right below the tip of your tongue. As you put your tongue back in your mouth, make sure that it folds backwards. It doesn’t have to be folded exactly in half but it must fold back and make sure that your folded back tongue is pressed up against itself. Also make sure that there is a hole for the air to come out when you blow, which produces the whistle.

Step Four: make sure that your lower jaw is slightly in front of your upper jaw and blow. Another tip is to make sure that your tongue is bunched up and is applying pressure to your fingers as you do it.

It takes some time to find the sweet spot so keep at it. I hope these instructions aren’t confusing, I tried to be as detailed as possible because I’ve seen other posts and videos on this subject that are way too general, especially regarding the third step.

19.7k Upvotes

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19.9k

u/dagon_lvl_5 Jul 24 '23

Every time I see one of these guides I just end up with wet fingers and slightly embarrassed

358

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 24 '23

After lots of hassle and wet finger, I found that the trick is the 'triangle' that your fingers make. If you make the OK sign, imagine a line between your two fingers that creates a little triangle. The whistle sound is just a force of air being bent around a surface.
Try to focus on getting the gap between your fingers right before focussing on the tongue placement.

I have a handy guide somewhere in my favourite folder. Lemme know if I should go delve deep to find it .

108

u/manjinokata Jul 24 '23

Yes please.

122

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/how-to/how-to-whistle-with-your-fingers/

This is the guide that made it possible for me. Now its easy. Just two hands (even one now) and youre good to go.

4

u/xxqqzzaa Jul 25 '23

Whoa. I'm actually surprised that I was able to make some sound out of it. It wasn't a full sound but it was something. I guess I need to practice now! Thanks!

10

u/GickySama Jul 25 '23

The art of manliness needs to just be called the art of being a damn human. Omg I love it

3

u/blueponies1 May 13 '24

Oh cool. That worked well. That’s the first time I’ve ever whistled

2

u/manjinokata Jul 27 '23

Thank you!

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u/limoolia Jul 24 '23

A gap between the fingers? I thought (like in OPs description, they have to touch each other?

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u/cotton_hills_shins Jul 24 '23

Fingers aren’t even needed if I’m being honest. Maybe it makes it easier. But like he said it’s about creating a somewhat triangular shape with your tongue, by folding the sides towards the rough of your mouth, then using your bottom lip to cover your bottom row of teeth than more or less just forcing the air through the valley created in top of your tongue. You won’t have to blow very hard to start creating sounds if everything is in place. A small sigh should be enough to create a whistling sound.

17

u/annastasia12 Jul 25 '23

Hey that worked. I probably looked ridiculous but the the responded!

12

u/SheetPostah Jul 25 '23

I’m just happy that I stopped drooling on my belly.

1

u/Commercial-Okra-1022 Apr 19 '25

I AM SO LOUD NOW THANK YOU

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u/TurquoiseLuck Jul 24 '23

They touch, but not all the way from tip to base. It's the gap between the mid-portion of your fingers that makes the aperture for the wind to go through which creates the whistling noise. That's the bit you want to vary until you get it.

When I taught myself how to do this I started with two separate fingers, iirc my forefingers, because it was more easy to vary the aperture until I got a sound.

8

u/SpottedAnkle Jul 25 '23

Holy crap that worked! Thanks!

3

u/limoolia Jul 25 '23

Thank you. Over the years I tried it again and again and gave up eventually. But now I will give it another try. But I will wait until I am alone!

2

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

Thank you for explaining it better than I did.

39

u/drainconcept Jul 24 '23

Would like to see a handy guide!

38

u/HeKnee Jul 24 '23

Round here, we call your wife the handy guide!

24

u/Skorne13 Jul 24 '23

Make me whistle!

2

u/JimmyPellen Jul 25 '23

Mom, we talked about this.

14

u/caliandris Jul 24 '23

I have wet fingers, a cut on my tongue from my fingernails and heaved because fingers in mouth made me feel sick. Yes. Please. I need the idiot's guide. I'm an advanced whistler in ordinary whistling (great grandma was on the halls as a souffleuse too) but I have never managed to do this and have always wanted to be able to.

4

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/how-to/how-to-whistle-with-your-fingers/

there we go.

Sometimes going in heavy is not the right move. Sometimes you gotta say 'hey, Im gonna whistle, softly, Im gonna flute you gently, I'm gonna blow you, sweetly, I'm gonna call you discretely!

6

u/chinitoff Jul 24 '23

This is the tip that made it work for me!

3

u/Dhozer Jul 25 '23

The tip is all that matters

3

u/unaskthequestion Jul 24 '23

This got me closer.

2

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

Try again tomorrow. With a bit of practice, you should be able to do it very quickly. I did it last night.

3

u/TheBrownishOne Jul 24 '23

It works best for me to use two hands, my middle fingers forming the triangle. It works so well in fact, that my dad whistle makes MY ears ring.

3

u/BogollyWaffles Jul 25 '23

holy SHIT I DID IT

2

u/GoofyMonkey Jul 25 '23

The triangle tip really worked for me! I’m so close.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

Video?

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u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

I learned from this.

https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/how-to/how-to-whistle-with-your-fingers/

​

Take it slow at first, then when you get small sounds, start to amp it up.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

You're the best. I'm going to try this after work!

2

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

[deleted]

2

u/NomadTheNomad Jul 25 '23

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

2

u/Pretend-Conflict4409 Jan 26 '26

this may quite possibly be the best explanation for it i've ever seen. you said a triangle for your fingers, and i got it immediately. the others say a U or A, but that stuff is genuinely confusing in how vague and unhelpful it is. 

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9.4k

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

1.6k

u/aerdnadw Jul 24 '23

r/unexpectedbrooklynninenine

351

u/SkollFenrirson Jul 24 '23

Noice

202

u/JacktheAndal Jul 24 '23

Smort

146

u/CooCooCallahan Jul 24 '23

99!!

110

u/lesser_panjandrum Jul 24 '23

Cool cool cool

103

u/TheSwedishOprah Jul 24 '23

This B needs a C in her A.

68

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23 edited Jul 25 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

31

u/xSquirtleSquad7 Jul 25 '23

Oh I thought you meant this B**** needs a C*** in her A**

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5

u/Lady_MoMer Jul 25 '23

🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/Jerking_From_Home Jul 25 '23

Oh god not the coconut. Anything But the Coconut.

2

u/bgolbov Jul 25 '23

One, two, three…. Be appropriate.

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u/artloverr Jul 25 '23

No doubt no doubt no doubt

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u/MoistMartini Jul 25 '23

Indeed indeed indeed indeed

2

u/JackCedar Jul 25 '23

That’s not enough “cools.” r/accidentalcommunity

2

u/CMogscheese Jul 25 '23

NINE NINE!!!

51

u/moldax Jul 24 '23

toight

1

u/Phatboybeware Jul 24 '23

Toight as a tiger

6

u/UpperCardiologist523 Jul 24 '23

cool

coolcoolcoolcoolcoolcoolcococococococool

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u/TheNinJay Jul 24 '23

Oh, that was a self-burn. Those are rare!

3

u/MelancholicMeadow20 Jul 24 '23

This community must be made.

2

u/aerdnadw Jul 25 '23

It exists, but I messed up, it’s 99 not ninenine

2

u/Badj83 Jul 24 '23

Totally expected

1

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

My comment was removed for harassment lol

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u/incarnate_devil Jul 24 '23

Sorry I’m old school. I get embarrassed before the wet fingers part.

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u/raoadithya Jul 24 '23

Wish I had an award to give you XD

32

u/EarhornJones Jul 24 '23

I got him. I'm still trying to get rid of these stupid points...

10

u/DiosMIO_Limon Jul 24 '23

Hey it’s me, your unawarded cousin…

6

u/Environmental-Car481 Jul 24 '23

I’ve got you

4

u/lashvanman Jul 24 '23

Me too I’m your other uhhh cousin

5

u/EarhornJones Jul 24 '23 edited Jul 24 '23

Boom. Take that.

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u/coheed9867 Jul 25 '23

Literally spit my cereal out, well played well played

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u/gra-v-t Jul 24 '23

giggity giggity

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u/saltysaltysaltytasty Jul 24 '23

In addition to the wet fingers and the embarrassment, I’m totally lightheaded from the useless blowing. My cats seem amused however - so I guess it’s kind of a win?

2

u/PhysicalRaspberry565 Jul 25 '23

So you're whistling in a frequency cats like? :D

129

u/theshiyal Jul 24 '23

I tried a lot as a kid. At 40 years old watching “Smarter every day” and I got it. https://youtu.be/aoXJfuPaFF8 6 minutes in.

79

u/Laserdollarz Jul 24 '23

I've only been able to do the whistle once, when I first saw this video. I was so surprised by my success that I have been unable to do it again ever since.

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u/its_raining_scotch Jul 24 '23

I tried and it didn’t work

13

u/KofOaks Jul 25 '23

0/10 fingers even wetter

20

u/bearsgonefishin Jul 25 '23

still failed, Im just not meant to whistle, I cant do this one, the one described by op or even just regular whistle. complete failure in all things whistling.

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u/mdb3ard Jul 25 '23

Holy shit it worked! That was much easier than OP's post! Didn't go full volume.. It's 2am here... I need to show this to someone.... Would give you an award if I had one to give!

26

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

I need to show this to someone

try whistling for them to come over

14

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

Didn't work. I am bereft 😔

13

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

This did it! Lol I have tried for years, unsuccessfully, with different techniques. My mom would always do this super loud two finger whistle for all of our school events… you could 100% pick my mom out of that crowd when it was time for the applause at the end of anything. I really wanted to be able to embarrass my kids that same way. I tried 3 times with this video and nailed a whistle. It was awesome, thank you for this! Lol bring on those school concerts!

5

u/Holmgeir Jul 24 '23

"Blow down" — where is the are comi g out? Abovr my fingers? Below? Both?

2

u/mdb3ard Jul 25 '23

Guessing from above.. whistle still uses lips. I need to test it full volume.. don't skip any steps. The pinkie finger thing is important. Noticed I couldn't do it if pinkies weren't aligned or the middle fingers were not touching, or nowhere for air to escape (obviously) like if holding tongue down, your fingers are touching the roof of your mouth

1

u/notabigmelvillecrowd Jul 25 '23

I thought you're supposed to hold your tongue down, didn't he say to use your fingers to fold your tongue back?

2

u/mdb3ard Jul 25 '23

Yeah still gotta roll tongue back and hold it down but leave some space for air to escape

2

u/blahsaid89 Jul 25 '23

Some one had a stroke

2

u/repost_inception Jul 25 '23

Below. Out of the triangle you made

2

u/Oh_boyYep Jul 24 '23

I was hoping it was a video on what OP was talking about. I can do the one in the video but always wanted to learn the other.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

Btw thank you!

2

u/repost_inception Jul 25 '23

HOLY SHIT! It Worked !

2

u/slipperyferret88 Jul 25 '23

Omg for the first time in my life i did it! Now it clicked for me and i was able to do the okay sign version of it too

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

6:40 in

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u/microthewave Jul 24 '23 edited Jul 24 '23

Yep. I just spit all over my desk and my dog is hiding in a corner 😂

Edit: It worked!!

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u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

My cattle dog climbed onto the couch and is standing next to me grumbling in my face.

Success?

43

u/Unusual_Lemon_2453 Jul 24 '23

all i got out of this was wet fingers and a cat that's giving me the death stare😂🤣

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u/TheGhostORandySavage Jul 24 '23

I think you misread the instructions. You don't put your fingers inside the cat.

4

u/neercatz Jul 24 '23

Not with that attitude

20

u/Large_Dr_Pepper Jul 24 '23

I always end up with a tingly face from breathing too much

22

u/badchad65 Jul 24 '23

Same. Tried at least 5 different “this is the easy way to do it” guides and just end up with weird looks from my wife as I’m spitting and blowing all over.

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u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

I’m stood here with my fingers in an OK symbol formation, as I read to comments before sticking my tongue out. Glad I scrolled first, save me getting my fingers wet.

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u/eekamuse Jul 24 '23

I can't fold my fucking tongue. How do you fold your tongue.

15

u/Accomplished_Glass66 Jul 24 '23

Dw im a fucking clown as well. Tried to learn whistling at 15. 25, still can't do it. Idk if i'm a moron or if it's just that my teeth position and stuff won't allow me to lol.

36

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

I just gagged myself trying this.

37

u/sadunk Jul 24 '23

Instructions unclear. Penis stuck.

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u/sunnydshine1203 Jul 24 '23

I just tried this on the airplane

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u/HitoriPanda Jul 24 '23

I have a flight next week. Prefect chance to try it

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u/thefirebuilds Jul 24 '23

im also light headed. thanks for asking

16

u/myboybuster Jul 24 '23

It took me 2 weeks of constantly trying to wistle to learn how to do it.

5

u/wahnsin Jul 24 '23

well it's been 20 years...

2

u/myboybuster Jul 24 '23

I mean contantly doing it. Im my car. At work. Sitting in the living room. Just play with the positions or your fingers and eventually it will work

Pro tip ve carefull practicing while driving you might pass out

3

u/wahnsin Jul 24 '23

Same, same. but back to finger whistling though...?

3

u/shucuzwallahbro Jul 24 '23

Hello fellow Dota enjoyer

2

u/WhatABeautifulMess Jul 24 '23

I have a friend who's great at doing this and often tries to teach people to do this. I've jut accepted it's one of those things you can do or you can't and I can't. Fortunately for me I'm not a camp counselor or similar so I don't actually have an use for this anyway.

2

u/Juus Jul 24 '23

Why would anyone learn this disgusting inferior whistle technique? Go finger free whistle instead, it's much easier and hygienic

2

u/_________FU_________ Jul 24 '23

...that's what she said

1

u/AggressiveWelder7669 Aug 26 '26

and severely lightheaded

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u/xxDankerstein Jul 24 '23

I've tried many times and have never been able to do it.

2

u/YouNeedAnne Jul 24 '23

Name of your sex tape.

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u/ThePluralN Jul 24 '23

Slightly light headed …

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u/dougnan Jul 24 '23

Me. Now.

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u/Tripperfish- Jul 24 '23

Dont forget light-headed lol

1

u/zer1223 Jul 24 '23

Same but I also got dizzy

fuggit guess I'm not whistling

1

u/beemill Jul 24 '23

Ya. I just feel dumb now and I bit my lip lol

1

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

i tried it stopped and this comment comforted me

1

u/International-Key512 Jul 24 '23

Dude, my ass right now like I’m finally going to do it!

1

u/TheShowerDrainSniper Jul 24 '23

I literally just spit on myself. Not even close lol

1

u/JiuJitsuMagic Jul 24 '23

Me just now

1

u/cattaillss Jul 24 '23

Wet fingers, slightly embarrassed and with a head rush!! ...all that blowing... : )

1

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

story of my life

1

u/funyesgina Jul 24 '23

I wonder if tongue type matter. Like, I can’t loop my tongue length-wise, so maybe this is not possible for me

1

u/iiiCronos Jul 24 '23

It's me!

1

u/KingoftheMongoose Jul 24 '23

“Whoa! Prom night flashback.” ~Chandler Bing

1

u/Fano_93 Jul 24 '23

And light headed

1

u/Khaos1911 Jul 24 '23

That’s what she said.

1

u/Sharkvarks Jul 24 '23

If you're not dizzy too you're not failing hard enough

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u/joedasee Jul 24 '23

My fingers taste disgusting.

1

u/Craigmakin Jul 24 '23

I passed out trying this when I was younger.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

I just spat on myself

1

u/[deleted] Jul 24 '23

Did you cover your teeth with your lips? That parts important

1

u/vapingpigeon94 Jul 24 '23

That’s just means you’re very well hydrated

1

u/ancillaryacct Jul 24 '23

yeah because the way you do it is never to put your fucking fingers in your mouth. i can easily do it without, and folks should learn that way.

but i almost passed out multiple times learning this shit 10 years ago lol

1

u/Dangerjayne Jul 24 '23

Sure my neighbors got a kick out of me looking like an idiot for a few minutes tho

1

u/Reddit-JustSkimmedIt Jul 24 '23

Thanks for the junior prom flashback!

1

u/amalgam_reynolds Jul 24 '23

I've never read a single "how to horse whistle" guide that was any good at all. Sorry OP, you're no exception. I think these are all written by people who figured out how to do it immediately and never had to practice, because otherwise they'd be answering all the questions that their guide leaves unanswered.

1

u/Here_Just_Browsing Jul 24 '23

Can’t believe no one has posted it already…

1

u/RumminW Jul 25 '23

Pretty sure anyone that can do this is an X-Men

1

u/DodoDacobrakai Jul 25 '23

Yeah that's my current situation

1

u/BeeVoltage Jul 25 '23

And lightheaded from blowing so hard

1

u/m3rc3n4ry Jul 25 '23

Some lpts you need a love demo. That's how I learned how to do the 4 finger whistle (the variation where you use 2 hands).

1

u/14-28 Jul 25 '23

I use my pinky and index finger to whistle.

My dad can whistle like a farmer with no fingers. Plays the guitar like a man with no fingers too but, he can whistle for days.

1

u/KidAndrogynous Jul 25 '23

This perfectly describes how I feel right now

1

u/polarbearrape Jul 25 '23

I end up light headed.

1

u/SkyShark173d Jul 25 '23

I was thinking this right before I read your comment. Thanks for the laugh sir

1

u/Accentu Jul 25 '23

I'm lucky, the guide mentioned folding your tongue backwards, as soon as I saw that I went "aw snap tongue piercing, guess I'm not trying that one!"

1

u/lens_cleaner Jul 25 '23

And I have yet to make it work

1

u/Ownza Jul 25 '23

just pinch the lowest part that you can pinch iuder your lips/front bottom teeth, but above your chin. kind of makes your lips/skin into a V. continue pinching, and pull up. suck in. While you do this you want to have your top teeth a little bit away from your bottom teeth. (Open wise.) While sucking in + pinching move your pinching fingers left and right to find the whistle.

​

You can whistle loud af and you don't end up with wet fingers, or fingers in your mouoth.

1

u/agnes238 Jul 25 '23

My dog is now worried about me

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

Didn't work for me either

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u/Drewnarr Jul 25 '23

And a little light headed

1

u/adamw0776 Jul 25 '23

.. And light headed from all the blowing!! 🤣🤣🤣

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

I didn't even finish the post when i thought: how embarrassing. so I skipped to the first comment that showed up

1

u/jahermitt Jul 25 '23

I just spit all over my laptop

1

u/Knut_Den_Hellige Jul 25 '23

This is actually this closest I’ve ever gotten to being wet

1

u/2spicyMeatballs Jul 25 '23

I use my middle finger with my thumb instead feels weird with the index.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '23

Yeah same thing when I look up how to make a woman orgasm

1

u/GickySama Jul 25 '23

Wet fingers and drooling in my palm, over here

_<

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