Mike, here are the instructions I have for the call.
*Run the call with the reed facing up (it can be run facing the bottom but let's not make things harder than they need to be)
*Wrap your upper lip around around you top teeth.
*place your lips about halfway up the radius of the tone board.
*for starters, apply a lot of pressure with your lip and cut off the air.
*slowly start to lower or drop your bottom jaw away from the call slowly. This won't sound like an elk yet but it will take you through the range of tone in the call.
*now you can start dropping the bottom jaw away from the call faster to achieve the two tones normally found in a cow call.
*you can add pressure or take it away to change the volume of the call (depending on situation and need)
*You can press on the green band (effectively shortening the reed length). This will give a whinier estrus sound.
As you practice you will get a good feel for where you like to put your lips on the board to get the sound you want.
A note about my calls: one complaint about external reeds is that they seem to lock up due to spit and moisture. I prepare every tone board by hand and sand them with steel wool to prevent the mylar reed from sticking to the plastic tone board. I still like to occasionally dry the board off throughout the day to ensure the call is going to work in the heat of the moment (sugary drinks and food are majority of the problem).
Feel free to ask any more questions you guys/gals may have.
