There are many people out there who can whistle very loudly without resorting to sticking their fingers in their mouth. For others the noise isn’t quite up to where they want it to be. The finger-whistle is an effective way to give a loud whistle, gaining attention for yourself (which presumably is why you were attempting it in the first place). Experts say that it comes naturally to some but for others it takes a lot of practice. Here are the tips on how to give an expert finger-whistle.

• The first thing you have to do is draw back your top and bottom lips so that they cover your teeth. Don’t worry about looking silly at this point, the end result are worth it.
• You have two options to consider at this point. Whether you want it to be a one-handed or two-handed whistle. If you chose the one-handed option it is best to use the thumb and and any one of your other fingers (practise with different ones until you find the most comfortable). For the two handed approach, use either the right and left index fingers, right and left little fingers or right and left middle fingers.
• The purpose of the fingers in the mouth is that they will hold the lips back over the teeth and will keep the bottom lip as taut as possible.
• Place each finger halfway between the corner of your mouth and the centre of your lips. Insert them up to the first knuckle. If you start to choke at this point, you have inserted them too much.
• Angle your fingernails in towards the centre of your tongue and bring them together. This is the point where most people go wrong at, if you find yourself pointing them to the back of your throat you are doing it wrong!
• Getting tricky now. Draw back your tongue so that the tip is almost touching the bottom of your mouth (a little way behind the lower teeth).
• Take a deep breath and blow (this forces the air over you fingers and lower lip.

If all of this has worked for you, you should be finger-whistling like a pro. If you have found it hasn’t worked, then back to the drawing-board. You know what they say – practice makes perfect.