mouth calls

[Jourdan_D]

I think I'm mouth call challenged. I've tried for three years to try and learn how to use one.  I can make a little bit of noise but that's about it. I've bought 3 video's watch almost everyvideo on youtube, but i still can't do it. Are there certain ones that are better for beginners and I'm just using the wrong type?  Or does anybody have any tips for a beginner? Thanks

[sugarray]

Try as many as you can, including youth frame calls.  Get a no cut, double reed.  Learn how to get noise, then the 2 note:

Keee  yawk, then speed it up to the yelp.  I just got it figured out about 2-3 weeks ago.  Joe, TRKYHTR, is the master teacher.  Using tokbox, he is able to hear you call, tell you what you are doing wrong, let you hear the difference between what you are doing and what it should sound like, then you practice.  One day it will just click.  The real difference for me was just practicing on the 2 reed to get the right roll over for the 2 note yelp.  Once you have that down, going to the cuts and more reeds was easier and you were able to get the right sound out of those.

We can do a session tonight if you want.  Let me know.  Now I am in no way shape or form anywhere near to being appropriate to teach someone, but I can tell and show you what Joe taught me.  I was always taught in medical school, see one, do one, teach one.  Well I have seen one, and now I do one, I guess I should teach one.   

[Crutch]

Jordon, I tried for a long time to make anything come out that sounded like a turkey. I have a terrible gag reflex and got past that by putting a call in and working around the house. I put it off to the side and later remembered, so I got used to it. Then it was a matter of making the right movement. without the gag, i could put it back futher. the common words people tell you to make didn't work for me. I shortened it to ACK and started making sounds, then altered it from there. Still learning and improving. 

[Jourdan_D]

Sugarray,  thanks for the offer and advice.  will have to take you up on it once i get over this nasty headcold i have right now.

Crutch,  I have a bad gag reflex too i'll have the try what you suggested and see if it works

Thanks for the advice guys!!!

[gophert]

the secret...practice..practice..practice.  Like crutch said, carry it in your mouth everywhere.  About this time of year I keep one in my truck and everytime I get in, the call goes in the mouth.  You will eventually get the hang of it. 

Primos does make some beginner mouth calls that help put it in the correct location in your mouth.  You can usually find them at wal-mart.  Good Luck!

[Survival.Leroy1989]

 
I also find and buy yourself a diaphragm turkey call
However, I also take a lot of time to learn how to practice it. Because today there is so much information on the internet that you really do not know where to start

[Bowguy]

I started out w just mouth calls. This was in the 80s so I prob don't remember all the difficulties. I will tell you this I practiced almost every day, even off season.
Back than in NJ you might get a turkey permit every 3-4 years so the best way to hunt was telling a friend you'd call for him.
Things seem relatively easy now but that being said some calls are tougher to call on than others. Hooks are a pleasure to blow n seem one of the easier ones.
I've never used 2 reeds though even early on. To me they're too flutey. Not discounting advice given just my opinion on it.

Another bit of advice is honestly practicing, committing to learn it. Carrying it everywhere w you, as has been stated, practicing on the way to/from work, etc, etc
Id say I'd not practice for hours just here n there constantly if that makes sense