Practicing Calling

[Slayer]

Hey guys I have another question. How do you typically practice your routines. How do you know what you are doing is right and how do you fine tune out the stuff that is not right?

[migrator00]

Well...Every routine is built from the same basic principles. The difference is how you modify those routines to your sound but yet follow the routine guidelines. I suggest getting the callin sounds CD and GO TO CONTESTS!! Listen and learn. Also go on dedduck.com and listen to some of their sound files. It takes lots of practice. Be sure to learn the routine...in steps if needed. When you have it down..blow at least 2 routines a day and tape yourself. Get critiquing from guys who know their duck callin' and have experience. Good luck to ya!

[Nick McArthur]

Slayer,

As far as knowing what you are doing right, thats a tough one, a way to get that down is to go to contests or buy the World Duck Calling DVD and listen to those who are consistently in the Top 10. Listen to their transistions, their different ducks in the greeters, and just how they have their routine structured, its kind of a lot to absorb, but it will payoff. Begin to blow in contests and get feedback from peers and the judges usually help....but you can't take too much stock in what judges say, because they all have different opinions and like different things.

Also, tape yourself as Jason said, blow a routines on a consistent basis, build your air capacity. And once you have a routine, practice certain sections of it. For example, on my drive to work, I have blown nothing but my 3 hen greeters for 15-20 minutes straight. And then I will practice something else for a while. That has really helped me to my routine to come together. Hope this helps....

[GearDownGang]

You have gotten some great advice. Here are a few comp routines from the 04 Calling for a Cure contest. It's old but it will still give you a good idea of what you are doing that is right. :)

Round One (http://www.gundogsonline.com/Video/CFOpenRoundOne.wmv)

Round Two (http://www.gundogsonline.com/Video/CFOpenRoundTwo.wmv)

Round Three (http://www.gundogsonline.com/Video/CFOpenRoundThree.wmv)

[Slayer]

The practice info is great. I am blowing a buck gardner call and am definatly looking upgrade to a foils or rnt call. I am debating on a SMM, Strait Street, or Timber Rattler call from foils and was wondering which do you recomend, I want to be able to use this call in contests and in many situationsin the field. I was leaning toward the SMM or TR are these good calls or does the Strait Street blow away the others? Also single or double reed? I was thinking and have been told single reed, whats your thoughts?

[mndiverwacker]

if you want to use it in the field and in the compititions id go for the smm single reed.

away i like to practice is to record it on my computer so i can listen to it over and over and if you really need help you can share it with some one via e-mail and the only way you can really fix some ones problem is if you can hear it.

[Johnny McDonnell]

Listen to Nick, he blows 127 routines, goes through 17 reeds and 12 pieces of cork in one sitting. After that his "GEED" is swollen to the point he has trouble breathing but who cares he a great caller.
Johnny McDonnell

[Nick McArthur]

Slayer,

If you are looking to get into comp calling(Stuttgart Style), the Strait Street is the only way to go. The Timber Rattler is a great call and should be used in meat style contests. And the SMM can ring, but it does not have the as big, full sound and ring a Strait Street does. Also, as far as hunting goes, if you want to hunt with the Strait Street, it can be done, just don't go banannas on that deal....they work just fine.

[migrator00]

read my mind brother!!