Calling Techniques

[SoILKiller]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this awesome site and had a question that maybe some of you could give me feedback on. Is there such a thing as having too much grunt or growl in your duck calling? Because when I listen to audio files on this site and other sites, and compare it to the audio files of my own, I don't have as high a pitch or the 'whine' that others have. I have a TR double and just can't seem to sound like any other duck callers. Maybe its all in my head? Also does anyone have any suggestions on which instrucutional CDs are very helpful.

[Richie]

I use a TR but its wood/acrylic single reed. That higher pitch for you might not be able to get since you use a double reed call. Single reeds are abviously louder. I'm not quite sure about a "grunt or growl", you should be clean and crisp with all calling. I like to have a good flow to mine. For intructional cd's i listened to the Foiles how to strait meat sounds cd. I think it gave me the jist of what to do. I would reccommend also to listen to someone who is a good caller and not so much mimmic them since everyone has their own style and little tricks but what i did was listen to my buddy and incorporate what i learned from the cd and from him and made my own style that works for me. Its' all in how much you practice your call and getting the call tuned to your liking. Also don't get confused with a contest routine with field work. Very different. I'm practiceing everyday. To and from work. best time to do it in my opinion. (answers to question are my opinion only)

[ia_young_gun]

Yes you can have too much growl in your calling. You definitely do not want to actually be growling into the call. The air should come from your diaphragm. There are times, like in the low-end work, when you want a little growl, but like I said, not all the time.

That said, a regular greeting call shouldnt sound really high-pitched and whiney either. You might be thinking of a highball or a comeback call, or even a high greeting when you say you hear other guys blowing high-pitched sounds. This just comes from clear air and a lot of it. It takes a lot of practice. Hope this helps.