Whimpering: What Does It Mean and How Do You Do It?

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All about whimpering in singing, flirting, and on TikTok
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Whimpering. You’ve probably heard the term before, but have you ever thought about what it really means or how to do it? Well, if so, you’ve come to the right place! Whimpering is a common vocalization among dogs and people, and depending on the context, it can have multiple meanings. In this article, we’ll run through the most common interpretations of a whimper and teach you how to do it.

How do you whimper?

Take a deep breath and close your mouth. Then, make a high-pitched hum in the back of your throat, replicating the sound a puppy makes while begging. Lower the pitch as you lose air.

Section 1 of 4:

What does whimper mean?

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  1. The most common use of whimpering is a dog or puppy. Whimpering is similar to a cry but shortened to tiny bursts. Animals typically make this high-pitched whining sound when they’re unhappy or in pain. [1]
    • For example, a puppy may whimper at you while you’re eating when they want some of your food.
    • Similarly, a dog might whimper if they’ve hurt their paw and you try to touch it.
    • “Whimper” can also be a synonym for “whine.” If someone “whimpers” something, they’re talking in a high-pitched, whiny tone. For instance: He rolled his eyes and whimpered through tears, “I don’t care.” [2]
  2. Many musicians or singers will “whimper” to warm up their voice before they sing. Vocal coaches recommend whimpering or crying like a dog to engage the vocal muscles and find tone.
    • Specifically, whimpering allows a singer to work through the passaggio, or the transition space between vocal ranges, helping them use their chest, mixed, and head voices. [3]
    • For instance, a singer may start whimpering in their comfort range (say around B flat). Then, they can take the pitch of the whimper up or down a higher or lower scale
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Whimper

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  1. Take a deep breath through your mouth, then close your lips to prepare yourself to whimper. Relax the muscles around your lips and jaw, focusing on your throat muscles.
  2. With your mouth closed, hum in a slightly higher voice than your normal speaking voice. If you feel strained while doing this, you’re going too high. [4]
    • You’ll likely feel a vibration toward the back of your throat—this means you’re doing it right!
    • If you’re not sure if you’re making the right sound, look up a video of a puppy whimpering online. This can give you an idea of how high or low the hum should be. [5]
  3. After you make a high-pitched noise, bring the hum down to a lower octave. Think of it this way: the less air in your chest, the lower the sound. [6]
  4. Tamper off the whimpering sound when you need to catch your breath. Then, take a deep breath, close your mouth, and start again.
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Section 3 of 4:

Why is whimpering a big deal on TikTok?

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  1. The trend of whimpering became popular amongst the anime community and has since become a guilty pleasure for many TikTokers. The whining, moaning sound is meant to seduce or arouse audience members and is often used in cosplaying videos. [7]
    • This trend is often tagged with #malewhimpering, #whimperaudio, and/or #whimperinggirl.
Section 4 of 4:

Why do people whimper?

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  1. Believe it or not, whimpering is commonly used in music. Musicians and singers whimper or hum to warm up their voices or add artistic flare to their songs. The act of whimpering can help a singer find their voice’s natural vibration while learning volume and pitch control. [8]
  2. Partners or lovers may whimper to one another to capture each other’s attention. Maybe they’re feeling frisky or simply want to cuddle. Either way, a whimper from a significant other could be a sign that they want some extra special love and are feeling playful.
    • For instance, a girlfriend may whimper at her boyfriend when he says he’s going out with the guys. This indicates that the girlfriend wants her boyfriend to stay and hang out with her.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/whimper
      2. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/whimper
      3. ↑ https://completesingers.com/technique/the-dreaded-passagio/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/qdBzrMqfKUI?t=18
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/qdBzrMqfKUI?t=15
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/qdBzrMqfKUI?t=27
      7. ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@kage_vt/video/7239085072329035050?lang=en
      8. ↑ https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/our-services/community-services/adult-speech-and-language-therapy/voice/section-4-exercises-to-reduce-anterior-posterior-constriction.aspx

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