Call too loudly pt 2

[jims]

I thought I would start a new post to compliment the first "call too loudly" post.  Taking this one step further....it's fairly simple to call softly on pot and box calls but how exactly do you call softly on diaphragm calls?  I have no problem with fairly loud clucks, purrs, and other calls but am having difficulty calling softly.  It seems like it takes quite a bit of air/wind to get the calls going.  What's the secret behind calling softly with diaphragms and are there particular diaphragm calls that work better than others for calling softly?

[guesswho]

Best I can tell, the fewer reeds a call has the less air required.  Also thinner reeds are easier to control. 

But you can call softly on about any diaphragm by manipulating tongue pressure, lip position and air flow.  That might not be the best way but that's how I have to do it.  Maybe some of the better diaphragm users can explain it or a better technique.

[GobbleNut]

Best I can tell, the fewer reeds a call has the less air required.  Also thinner reeds are easier to control. 

But you can call softly on about any diaphragm by manipulating tongue pressure, lip position and air flow.  That might not be the best way but that's how I have to do it.  Maybe some of the better diaphragm users can explain it or a better technique.

I will not claim to be a "better diaphragm user", but I have spent about forty years trying to figure out all of the variables that affect mouth call use.  Ronnie's (Guesswho) comments are right on.  For the average mouth call user, if they want to call softly, they should use calls made with thinner latex, especially on the primary "sound" reed, which is (generally) the upper, and longest, reed of a call.  Fewer reeds can be beneficial, as well, but only to a point.  Single-reed calls are mostly a thing of the past because they do not produce the same quality of sound as the multiple-reed calls, so stick with the two and three-reed calls. 

At the risk of getting too technical here, latex for reeds comes in a variety of thicknesses (and also colors).  "Prophylactic" latex (.0025) is generally considered to be the thinnest.  Typically, the thicknesses increase from there, with .003, .004. and .006 being the standards.  Using calls made from proph latex and .003 will, for most average callers, give them the best opportunity to be able to call softly while still producing realistic sounds.

I could get into a long, drawn-out discussion of the various factors that affect sound outside of the calling ability of the user, but I suspect I might end up losing most of you, so I won't at this point.  I will say that if any of you want to try some specific calls that would probably solve your soft calling problems, I can make them for you at $2.50-$3.00 a call  (I'm really not trying to sell anything here,...just trying to be helpful,...without losing money)    

[stinkpickle]

...It seems like it takes quite a bit of air/wind to get the calls going...

Definitely try a different call.  What are you using now?

[trkehunr93]

Agree with above comments!  Some call makers use heavier latex to get the rasp but it makes it difficult, for me at least, to call softly.  I prefer a call that uses plain latex, single or double reed for me.  More than that and the air pressure required makes it difficult to call softly IMO. 

[El Pavo Grande]

Learning to call softly on a mouth call is such a valuable tool in my opinion.  It is the difference maker in a hunt a lot of times.  I agree with the others, it is easiest on a call with thin reeds, which I think is key.  Not as important as how many reeds, but the thickness makes a major difference.  Then, it just boils down to lots of practice time learning to control the call and as Ronnie said, what amount of tongue pressure and air flow to apply while calling.