How to Wolf Whistle

Wolf whistling is the Holy Grail for many whistlers. It is the sharp, piercing, surprisingly loud explosion of sound that can successfully hail a cab from blocks away. Unlike standard whistling, however, it requires a good deal more practice (and frustration) to perfect.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Tuck your lips into your mouth. They should completely cover your teeth.

2. Place one finger, up to the first knuckles, roughly halfway between the corners and center of your lips. Any two fingers (or thumbs) are acceptable - thumb and index, for example - and you should experiment on which combination is the most effective and comfortable for you.

3. Angle your fingernails inwards, towards the center of the tongue: they should not point towards the back of your mouth. Try to keep your lips firm, but relaxed.

4. Draw back your tongue, so that its front tip almost touches the bottom of the mouth, about a centimeter behind the lower gums. You're trying to funnel air directly onto the lower lip and teeth, using your upper teeth and tongue as a bevel.

5. Inhale deeply and exhale over the top side of the tongue and lower lip and out of your mouth. Draw your fingers downward and outward, onto the lips and teeth.

6. Find your sweet spot. Experiment with the position of your fingers, tongue and jaw. Adjust by tiny increments, because one slight change can make all the difference.

Tips & Warnings

• Over time, you may be able to wolf whistle without your fingers. Instead, you'll have learned to wolf whistle purely through muscle coordination. This will take plenty of practice.
• You may also try placing two of your fingers underneath the tongue itself.