Couchois' Whistle: Drawing a template
Oct. 21, 1899, Garrett John Couchois filed a Design patent for a "Whistle". The very elegant shape is registered one monyh later, on 21st of November. Indeed, it is a nose flute, based on the same principle that the Nasalette, but with some improvements: the mouth tube has become circular, which is more ergonomic than a rectangular section, and the nose hood has been replaced by a simple nose shield.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2nESxFvgbHsDMUxO9z8r8QFeOc1f7s4ZIy0LZB153BgpCwLPK_ffTrYs2s9cNth5PYRXy5bUo9tlggtiIWjdWfG8ThhtCrVeMr4-NOs6zSt5Xr-p93aPdRZht9_JCpIjaaDUT-SkK6C/s800/couchois-.jpg)
Before building a template for the replica, I analysed the drawings and, as with the Nasalette patent, found some inconsistencies in the design:
- A. The base of the airway does not correspond on side and front views. Indeed, the mouth hole looks very high on the front view.
- B. The largest part of the nose shield is not as the same height on both views.
- C. The nose shield width does not match on front and top views.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK8IrCsuWh4xtwa8NajkxyIphqNteq3Bd__y6NwQJXun7CZ0LXv__XRAdwDvy_6dsE-5bo36lKB3x4jwO2f0AeSUd8cjLNay-6g9DsAiL1wjlC3sMYxmIYtNL1huJ9AFKmTCv8hIoWdM4/s800/erreurs-.jpg)
However, these are not "fatal errors" and it is easy to correct them to reach a certain consistency.
Next step was to define the dimensions. I measured the distance between the middle of my open mouth and my nostrils, and was able to evaluate the total height of the Couchois' whistle to 7 cm. Then, it was easy to deduce the other dimensions.
On the original front view, the mouth hole was really too tall, so I chose to used its dimensions on the side view, and I corrected the other mistakes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeogFMXWn734C_dW2HVs2ir1ahcGp1RXNFQyhbnDtsmnnJFuMcVk9-VSrx6Rjl0Qx4g7fLZvsMUC1gAFTFzfPBEN2OBB0dcXvL609cJ37-t7xNBIv5OjJcbr_INnqt7IHMm6Wa5m7BeWxE/s800/construc.jpg)
Then, as I did for the Nasalette, I designed many templates on cardboard until I reached the perfect one (the nose shield looks different on the first picture, but it is just a matter of folding and view angle). And the cardboard model worked as an instrument!
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And I was then able to draw the template:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG39FxS9LLpXp7Xcq4USxMSMJR0s8rBEHggxC5aTDov6W1JyVgHQwWpHUGGwD02QmqjaQCs-WMXJLJ__u4PC9PHUtMugmRQkPZz-bvQbwKvosJNgkMzWiaOFdTAKvive4VeFpogeH9rbXY/s800/couchois1.jpg)
You can download the PDF full size template here.
To be continued!
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On the same topic :
- Historic Nose Flutes - The Nasalette: Template
- Historic Nose Flutes - The Nasalette: Building
- Historic Nose Flutes - The Nasalette: Review
- Historic Nose Flutes - Couchois' Whistle: Template
- Historic Nose Flutes - Couchois' Whistle: Building
- Historic Nose Flutes - Couchois' Whistle: Review
- Historic Nose Flutes - Grierson's Whistle: Template
- Historic Nose Flutes - Grierson's Whistle: Building
- Historic Nose Flutes - Grierson's Whistle: Review
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Another breakthrough in bringing the nose flute back to life!
ReplyDeleteGreat work! I am impressed by the beauty and accuracy of this instrument. I might not be as enthusiastic about its musical abilities, but, man, this is history!!!
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