Diaphram calling help

[hogslayer]

I got myself some calls and a grunt tube and I am trying to get good at calling with a mouth reed.  I have watched a bunch of videos and can make sounds put just need some help putting them all together.  Seeing if anyone has had the same experience and found some solutions.  Or if anyone would be willing to show me a thing or two about calling with diaphrams?

[PlateauNDN]

Its all trial and error. At least for me it was. I just watched a lot of videos and listened amd kept at it until it soumds good enoufh amd then put it to the test in the field. Keep pracring checkout youtube and othet sponsors on hete amd you'll get it.

[4fletch]

I ve been calling going on 40 yrs now and few yrs ago I was turned on to Glen Berry s diaphrams calls , if you can t master the one you have try his X series heard bull reed for cow calling , I know it sounds weird but man does this call work wonders , I ve used many others and this one really gets er done and really easy to use , after you think you are calling pretty good go out in the field where you know elk are present or could be and do some calling see if they call back or come in , when they call back imitate their calls , if they come in try not to let them know that you are not one of them . If you are close to Snoqualime Wa there is usually a heard of elk early AM or PM out behind Meadow Brook (viewing station ) and have at it . Like Plateau says practice pratice pratice , just as much as you shoot

[hogslayer]

I am giving it my best shot.  I will keep doing some more practice and video watching.   Took about 2 try's and my wife said.... Ok! That's enough!   So now I just practice when I am in the car. 

[xXLojackXx]

I am giving it my best shot.  I will keep doing some more practice and video watching.   Took about 2 try's and my wife said.... Ok! That's enough!   So now I just practice when I am in the car.

Keep at it man. Nobody was born a great caller, it just takes 1000's of attempted calls to learn it really well. It helps to get in on elk before the season and AFTER the season to listen to how they sound. There are subtle differences in calling that make all the difference. Nobody said it'd be easy, they just said it'd be worth it.

[Elkfever]

Im in the same boat with learning to use mouth reeds and a grunt tube.  I am using Bugling Bulls grunt tube and Yellow Mellow and Raging Bull mouth reeds.  From what Ive read, using the single layer latex reeds are easier to achieve sound and perfect.  So perhaps, start with a single layer reed.  Ive been watching Steve Chappelle's youtube videos and they are pretty helpful.  Sounds weird, but the trick that instantly got me results in making the appropriate noises was to place the reed in the mouth (latex facing out), keep it right behind front teeth, hold the reed in place with each edge or side of my tongue and then using the tip or middle of my tongue to press against the latex.  At that point, it becomes learning to control different pressures to achieve bugles, etc.  The Rocky Jacobsen youtube videos were helpful in practicing tone control.  Good luck, don't get too frustrated and keep at it. 

[Fullabull]

One thing you may need to think about is different reads come in different sizes for fitting your mouth. I do best with the medium sizes. Others are doable but are harder because of the fit, you may have to use more pressure etc.etc. making it more difficult to make the sounds you are looking. When you have a good fit, you will be able to make multiple sounds with the same read. Also, you can adjust (tune) some of them. The best thing to do is master one sound at a time, don't try and do it all at once or it will get frustrating.

I practice while driving when I can....by myself of course or my wife would throw me out of the car

[hogslayer]

Ya I am right there with ya.  My wife hates the sound of elk calls.  I will try and get the cow sounds down first before I try to master it all.  I have been putting in like an hour a day trying to get this to all come together.  Anyone willing to give me some constructive feed back if I emailed you some recordings?   I don't have anyone around that can "coach" me on what to change and how I can get the differences that I am wanting....

[buglebuster]

I could always use a turkey diaphram real well but never elk. Then one day last summer it just clicked and boy does it work buddy drew a archery bull tag last season and I called in multiple bulls each day. Youll get it just keep practicing.

[gonehuntin68]

Yep, keep at it. Its just practice, I learn something new every year.

[brichards44]

It took me years to get it down. So many attempts that sounded like a kitty cat at my back door. At times I gave up and thought the hoochie mama was the answer. And then one day I did it!

I like this CD for my practice in my truck.

http://stores.elknut.com/dvd-4-bugling-bulls-and-beyond-worse-than-wolves/

[steelnducks]

Practice practice practice. Then audio record yourself to find out the sounds you are making don't sound like elk then practice some more.

[Duffer]

and now for some non-constructive advice 

I practiced for years and spent hundreds and hunrdeds of dollars on every different reed I thought would help me figure it out. I have a sack-full of them hanging in my garage. and ultimately.... I gave up.

I just can't do it.

Ya gotta try tho!

[KimWar1911]

Check the web for Joel Turner videos. 2 time RMEF elk calling champ and he's a Washington guy. He has some great videos and has had a ton of success

[dscubame]

That link brichards44 is great.

QUESTION:  When you guys first started out was it normal for your tongue an mouth to get worn out and sore after just short spurts of practice?

Also only like a third of the time sounds like elk and rest is a hot mess.  Is there something specific I need to practice or just keep at it and it evolves by just that?