Suction Call Basics

[GunRunner]

I have been ignoring trumpet calls for all 24 years of my turkey hunting experience to date. Mainly because I have never been around a trumpet call hunters plus I have been fairly successful in developing effective friction and diaphragm call skills. I have been content refining and focusing on these calls ....until now.

I was surfing the net on turkey videos and ran across some instructional videos for trumpets which have suddenly sparked my interest. But I am totally clueless and need some assistance with the very very basics.

Like ...is the term "yelper" and "trumpet" interchangeable? Are all yelpers also trumpets?  What  is the difference in a Jordan Yelper and a Cane Yelper?  What are the components of these calls?  Are they glued together are can they be disassembled to clean them or is this even necessary?

So by now you can see I am in dire need of a "Suction Calls 101 Course" !!  Maybe there is an article you can refer me to. Then after getting straight on the basics maybe I can then look into acquiring a call.

Thanking you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

GunRunner

[EZ]

Glad to see you have an interest in these type of calls. I'm guessing you are going to soon find out that a good yelper is a great addition to your vest.

In my mind, you can use the term "yelper" for Trumpets, Jordans and Wingbones, but each of these types of calls have features that make them what they are.


Wingbones are pretty easy to define. Two or three bones from the wing of a turkey (or other)


Jordan or Cane yelper. To me, these terms are interchangable and are the same thing. Two different diameters of river cane, glued together, and a bone (usually hen turkey or goose) mouthpiece. Sometimes you'll see a callmaker turn two diameters of wood in place of the cane. I would call them Jordan "style" calls.


Trumpets are a totally man made two piece call. The mouthpiece is turned from delrin, horn, bone, ivory etc., and the "barrel" is generally wood. The styles and designs of these type of calls is nearly endless and only limited to the imagination of the makers.


Most of all these type calls are glued together, but some trumet makers have made interchangable, pressed fit, mouthpieces, and some have even made screw in mouthpieces.


They key to ALL of these types of yelpers is how the internals of the call all marry together to make an easy to run, great sounding call. They are not all created equal.


As far as learning to run these types of calls, check out YouTube videos of Marlin Watkins instructionals 1, 2,& 3 and Del Crow instructional. These guys explain the whole process very well.


I just wanted to add that this is only my best opinion. There's probably something I forgot but I can guarantee you that there are a ton of folks on here that will help you out.
Have fun.

[Sir-diealot]

I have been using these to try to get better, there are mostly suction type calls here but there is at least one on long boxes, Grizz Friction call and Jolley Scratch Tube Turkey Call and also some stuff from Primos on running pot calls. These were mostly recommended to me by members here. I hope they help.

[davisd9]

A cane yelper is totally made from cane while a Jordan matches the materials used by Charles Jordan, Wingbone and river cane.


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[EZ]

A cane yelper is totally made from cane while a Jordan matches the materials used by Charles Jordan, Wingbone and river cane.


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Yes, that is correct.

There are also variations of yelpers that I'm not sure which category they would fall in (like a Davis style), but they all are run the same way.

[Chris O]

Gun Runner that is exactly how I got started. I wanted different calls than my competitors and absolutely love suction calls. I wish I would have gave them a chance 30 years ago. I am still learning but really enjoy playing them. Now If I could only pick 1 type of call to hunt it would be these just because I like playing them that much. I play them every day because I want to and look forward to it

[Sir-diealot]

I have been using these to try to get better, there are mostly suction type calls here but there is at least one on long boxes, Grizz Friction call and Jolley Scratch Tube Turkey Call and also some stuff from Primos on running pot calls. These were mostly recommended to me by members here. I hope they help.

Leave it to me to say all that and then forget to leave the link. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbF6qMoJbTLzkdmzIrqSSxeTkJKKmXVg8

[GunRunner]

Thanks Guys

This info is very helpful and I appreciate all of your efforts to assist me. Also thanks for the video link.
I saw the video interview of Ralph Perma made at an NTWF Convention. He makes it look easy...but so did the first videos I watched years ago on diaphragm calling. I sense from the dialogue here that it takes a lot of practice as did the mouth calls.

Do any of you know of a book on trumpet calls and calling?

Thanks again

GunRunner

[Gobbler428]

I do not know of a book on trumpet calls and calling but I was in the exact same position you are last year this time.  I spent a great deal of time on YouTube and OG.  I would suggest that you visit Ralph Permar's web page  He has a lot of interesting information on it concerning the history of various types of trumpets.
You are exactly right when you said that you sensed that it takes a lot of practice to learn how to run a trumpet/yelper/wingbone. I purchased my first trumpet last year and I'm still learning and trying to get better.  My best advice to you is to read OG and watch everything you can find on YouTube including Zach Farmer and LF Cox.  I would also purchase a trumpet from one of the many fine members here on OG. There is a thread here on OG entitled "Advice On Purchasing My First Trumpet" which might be worth you while reading as well.  Good Luck!

[EZ]

Here ya go:

Marlin Watkins #1, #2 & #3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=momZ825uunU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpuvghH3c8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uLUqmrbt0

Del Crow #1 & #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xqrwAGYmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAMClA7jB8

Curtis Terrell (Wingbone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y33y7aKU9Zs

[davisd9]

Do not kiss the call. Draw air like using a straw using your throat. Less air is more.


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[gergg]

Don't be afraid to find your own path/style, I seem to use a little different technique than most and it works okay for me. The lip stop positioning was critical for me at first, although now I can play dang near as well without one.....just experiment, practice like crazy, and it will all come together.

[Sir-diealot]

Here ya go:

Marlin Watkins #1, #2 & #3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=momZ825uunU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpuvghH3c8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uLUqmrbt0

Del Crow #1 & #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xqrwAGYmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAMClA7jB8

Curtis Terrell (Wingbone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y33y7aKU9Zs

Had all but the last one in my list, it is in my list now, thanks.