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Flutes,(TLoZ | TAoL | ALBW | TWoG | ZA)[1][name reference needed] also known as Whistles,(TAoL | ST)[1][2][3] Recorders,(TLoZ | HW)[1][4] and Magic Whistles,(TLoZ (Valiant Comics))[5] are recurring items and objects in The Legend of Zelda series. It goes unnamed in Link's Awakening and The Legend of Zelda TV series.

Location and uses[]

The Legend of Zelda[]

The Recorder is a magical item that is hidden in the depths of Level 5 in the First Quest,[6] and earlier in Level 2 in the Second Quest.[7] As with most items in the game, it is hidden in a basement room.

The music of this item causes various effects. First, it allows Link to Warp to any Underworld dungeon he has cleared;[8] if he is facing north or west, he warps to the next dungeon; if he is facing south or east, he warps to the dungeon before the one he is at.[citation needed] The Recorder must also be used to dry up a body of water revealing the entrance to Level 7;[9] in the Second Quest, it can unveil hidden caves, as well as the entrance to Level 6. Lastly, Digdogger is split into three smaller versions at the sound of the Recorder.[10]

The Adventure of Link[]

The Whistle is obtained in the Palace on the Sea in The Adventure of Link. It allows Link to pass by what the villagers in Nabooru Town call the River Devil. Once the Flute is played, the River Devil disappears. Later, the Whistle is used to make the Three-Eye Rock Palace appear when played in the middle of Three-Eye Rock.[11]

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, Whistles are one of the many Instruments played by Hyruleans.[2] Link can dig up the Flute Boy's Flute by using the Shovel on a flower patch in the Haunted Grove. After releasing the Flute Boy's pet bird, Link can play the Flute in the Light World's overworld and summon the bird, who can fly Link to any one of eight locations.

Link's Awakening[]

The mini-boss of the Eagle's Tower, the Grim Creeper, uses a Whistle to call six Big Keese to aid him.

Spirit Tracks[]

Alfonzo's Train and the Spirit Train are equipped with a Whistle in Spirit Tracks, in the form of a swaying rope on the touchscreen that can be pulled downward with the stylus. The sound produced by the Whistle differs depending on the type of Engine equipped to the Spirit Train.

The Whistle can be used to scare animals such as Moinks and monsters such as Snurgles and Skulltulas off of and away from the Spirit Tracks.[12] Signs indicating that Royal Engineers must sound their Whistles are occasionally dotted alongside the Spirit Tracks. If Link is transporting a passenger and does not heed these Signs, they will criticize Link for not performing his job properly. Pulling and holding the Spirit Train's Whistle is the only means of traveling through Spacetime Gates.

In the Dark Realm, Link can collect Tears of Light to imbue the Spirit Train with a glowing light. While these Tears of Light are active, Link can pull the Whistle to increase the Spirit Train's speed.

A Link Between Worlds[]

The Flute Boy carries and plays a Flute inside the Milk Bar in A Link Between Worlds.

In other media[]

The Legend of Zelda TV Series[]

Recorder (Sing for the Unicorn)

The Whistle in the animated series

The Whistle makes an appearance in the "Sing for the Unicorn" episode of The Legend of Zelda TV series. It serves the same purpose as the Recorder in The Legend of Zelda and even makes the same tune when played. Link finds it after he defeats a pair of Lynels.[13] Once Princess Zelda zaps Ganon back into the Evil Jar, Link blows into the Whistle to make a tornado appear that will take Zelda, Sing, her Unicorn, King Harkinian and him Warp out of the Underworld.[14]

The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)[]

The Magic Whistle appears in The Legend of Zelda comics by Valiant Comics. As Zelda is getting ready to go inside Level 1 to practice fighting in Ganon's Underworld,[15] Link reminds her that if she needs help at one point, she can just blow the Magic Whistle and he will be there to assist her.[5] However, just as Zelda is telling herself that she will not call for Link's help at the first sign of danger, a Gohma appears behind her.[16] a Gohma and Patra appear to attack her, and the princess, surprised that such enemies have appeared in an early level, admits to herself that the current situation is too tough for her. She decides to call Link by blowing the Magic Whistle,[17] but when Link does not appear, Zelda realizes that something must have happened and sets out to save the young hero.

Spinoff appearances[]

The Wand of Gamelon[]

Flute Icon CD-i

The Flute is an item that can be played to stop flying enemies for about eight seconds in The Wand of Gamelon. It costs 5 Rubies per use. It is received from the Hungry Girl in Kobitan after Zelda gives her an Arpagos Egg.

Zelda's Adventure[]

The Flute is given to Zelda by Yvonne in Great Wimbich in Zelda's Adventure. The only purpose of the Flute is to play it to a Snake outside of town, which will cause it to combust in flames and leave behind the Pyros Spell.

Hyrule Warriors[]



In Hyrule Warriors, the Recorder appears as an Item Card in the Adventure Map and Master Quest Map of Adventure Mode. When used on the correct square, the Recorder will reveal a hidden staircase, revealing hidden enemies on the Map square, allowing Warriors to start the Battle on that Map square. The 8-Bit Recorder, Zelda's Lv.★ Baton, is also modeled after the Recorder.

Crossover appearances[]

Super Mario Bros. 3[]

In Super Mario Bros. 3, the Recorder is an item. When it is used, the same melody is played, and a whirlwind takes Mario to another location.[citation needed]

Trivia[]

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapanese笛 (Fue) (TLoZ | TAoL)[18][19]
フエ (Fue) (TLoZ)[20]
Recorder/Flute
Recorder/Flute
NetherlandsDutchFluitje (TLoZ)[21]Flute
FranceFrenchEUSifflet (TLoZ)[22]Whistle
GermanyGermande-niwa:FlöteFlöte (HWDE)[23]Flute
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See also[]

External links[]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 123 (Series | TLoZ | TAoL), 300 (ALBW)
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 79
  3. "This is the whistle. Touch it and give it a good pull to blow the train's whistle! Oh, and you can look around by touching in the direction you want to look. Good engineers are always aware of their surroundings, you know! So, you catch all that?" — Alfonzo (Spirit Tracks)
  4. "Recorder: Use this on a lake or an empty space to reveal enemies." — Tutorial (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Okay, Zelda! If you get into trouble, blow the Magic Whistle and I'll be there!" (The Legend of Zelda comic, Valiant Comics, pg. 1)
  6. Tips & Tactics, Nintendo of America, pg. 80
  7. NES Game Atlas Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 59
  8. Tips & Tactics, Nintendo of America, pg. 14
  9. Tips & Tactics, Nintendo of America, pg. 52
  10. NES Game Atlas Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 55
  11. "CALL FOR HELP AT THE THREE EYE ROCKS." — Hylian (The Adventure of Link)
  12. "Animal on the tracks! Sound the whistle to scare it off!" — Alfonzo (Spirit Tracks)
  13. "Ah, a magic whistle! This could be useful." — Link (The Legend of Zelda TV Series, Episode 5)
  14. "Looks like a happy ending. Now we just have to get out of here. Time to whistle up a wind." — Link (The Legend of Zelda TV Series, Episode 5)
  15. "Stop worrying, Link. If I'm going to learn to fight in Ganon's Underworld, I've got to practice on my own." (The Legend of Zelda comic, Valiant Comics, pg. 1)
  16. "If Link thinks I'm going to give up and call him to rescue me at the first sign of danger, he's in for a surprise! [...] A Gohma!" (The Legend of Zelda comic, Valiant Comics, pg. 3)
  17. "All right, I admit it! This IS too tough for me! I'm blowing the whistle, Link--come bail me out!" (The Legend of Zelda comic, Valiant Comics, pg. 4)
  18. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 24
  19. The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 49
  20. Encyclopedia, TOKYOPOP, pg. 132 (TLoZ)
  21. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 25
  22. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 25
  23. "Flöte: Verwende sie auf Seen oder leeren Flächen, um Gegner erscheinen zu lassen." — Tutorial (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
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