Spring is here, the willow trees are sprouting, and the young willow branches are gradually turning green. Walking on the wide asphalt road in the country, what comes into view is the lovely tender green willows on both sides of the road. Enjoy admiring the glowing green willows. The vibrant young willow branches can't help but make me emotional. It reminded me of the wonderful time when I was a child blowing the willow whistle.
I think everyone who is older will remember that interesting time of whistling. To understand the experience of blowing a willow whistle, you must first understand how to make a willow whistle. In fact, it is very simple to say. In the countryside, it can be made from local materials and is a cheap toy. It is made by cutting thin branches from the willow trees that can be seen everywhere. However, there are seasonal restrictions for making willow whistles. It doesn't matter if it's too early or too late. The willow branches will not "separate from the bones" (actually "separate from the bones" means that the outer skin of the willow branches will separate from the "bone" - the woody part in the middle). Take it off like pants) I don’t know if it was called “trousers” or “kuku” at that time. At this time of year, the willow trees have just sprouted and the willow branches have begun to "separate from the bones". This is the easiest and most suitable time to make a willow whistle.
Before making a willow whistle, first cut a section of willow branches as a "sample", usually branches that are not too old, not too thick, not too thin, and not too rough. Because willow branches that are too old are not easy to "separate from the bone", they are difficult to make; willow whistles made from willow branches that are too thick will have a rough, rich sound, which does not sound very pleasant; willow whistles made from willow branches that are too thin , the sound is sharp, but because the willow whistle is too thin, the air volume cannot be fully emitted and the sound is small; willow branches with rough surfaces, especially scars, are troublesome to make, and are easy to be broken, causing air leakage when blown. Therefore, the selection of willow branches is very important. However, sometimes in order to create different atmospheres, some people deliberately make thick, thin, long, and short willow whistles.
Just choose old and tender willow branches with suitable thickness, smooth surface and no scars. The length does not matter, it depends on your needs. At this time, use both hands to twist the outer skin of the willow branch back and forth to separate the outer skin of the willow branch from the wood. According to the feel, it is almost "separated from the bone", so use force to evenly pull off the wood. Because the force is strong, It is easy to damage the outer bark of the branches, and it cannot be peeled off if the force is too small. The force must be just right to peel off a tube-shaped "wither". Then, use a knife to cut off a section of about 3-6 cm, and then use a knife to peel off about 3-5 mm of the outermost green skin on one end, so that it vibrates and sounds when the willow whistle is blown, and then use the hand to cut off this end. Pinch it slightly to suit the "mouth shape" when blowing, just like the shape of the suona's head. This will produce a better sound. After making it for the first time, most people try it by blowing it, and then use a knife to repair the port until they are satisfied. In this way, the willow whistle is ready.
When I was a child, I remember that my friends and I made a lot of willow whistles, some thick, some thin, some long, some short, all kinds of different. In this way, sounds of different sizes and thicknesses can be made. Some friends are even more creative. They use small nails to poke a few small round holes in the middle of the thick and long willow whistle, just like a piccolo, blowing out different tunes. It's really like It's the sound of nature. Using different willow whistles to have fun like this is a unique fun and triggers bursts of laughter. Many friends did the same thing, and even though they made different sounds, they still caused laughter.
Blowing the willow whistle has enriched the life of childhood and adolescence for a period of time. It has made my friends and I have a lot of fun and relax. We often have unfinished thoughts and are not thinking about Shu. We are deeply intoxicated by the flute played by the willow whistle. In the music, the beautiful melody washes away the carefree and endless innocence and fun. Ever since, I often go to school accompanied by beautiful music; on the way home from school, I often accompany beautiful music. Even during recess, some friends will suddenly blow the willow whistle. Once the whistle blows, all the whistles "follow", different melodies are played in the campus, and the notes of the willow whistle float over the campus.
I have a special liking for blowing the willow whistle. The sound of the willow whistle I blew once echoed in the streets and alleys of the village, and I was also immersed in the wonderful sound of the willow whistle. I blew towards the more than 500-year-old locust tree in the village. The old locust tree was like an old man who had gone through many vicissitudes of life, understanding it from the heart, and the branches and leaves were swaying and nodding to me; I blew towards the "Zhuangyuan Stone" on the mountain to the east of the village. The "number one scholar" looking towards the village seemed to hear the beautiful sound of the willow whistle and smiled at me like a wise man. The willow whistle I blew blew away the monotonous, boring and boring life in the countryside at that time. The willow whistle lingering in the village was the pursuit and yearning for a better life in the future, as well as the colorful dreams.
The sound of the willow whistle I blew once resounded in the vast fields and high hills. It was transmitted in the fields and echoed in the mountain streams. I once blew towards the wild geese flying high in the sky. The wild geese seemed to vaguely hear the willow whistle and responded with laughter of "ga, ga, ga". The "one" shaped square instantly turned into a "human" shape. Phalanx, this is a reward for the willow whistle, and I envy the beauty of the world; I also blew it towards the birds flying low in the woods. When the birds heard the willow whistle, they perched on the branches and chirped. The laughter echoes with the willow whistle, and the sound echoes in the high mountain wilderness.
"Willow Whistle" once accompanied me through my happy childhood and youth, and left an unforgettable impression on me. Now, decades have passed, and the long-lost willow whistle has never been blown or heard again. Occasionally, when I recall it, it feels kind of familiar.
Blowing the Willow Whistle has left endless joy in my past time and a wonderful aftertaste in my current time. "Willow Whistle" has been deeply treasured in the depths of my mind.
The arrival of spring evokes my beautiful reverie, and I think of the willow whistle that I was obsessed with. The wonderful willow whistle has opened my heart and played the spring song. My heart is whirling and rippling...