OK Buck,I'll try to help ya out here.First thing ya need to do is rough up the call surface.A sandin stone works real well for this.Remember the rougher the better.Now for callin.There are other ways do do this but I'm gonna tell ya the way that works best for me and the way i've taught a few people.Hold the striker like a pencil.withthe tip of the striker on the call surface tilt the big end of the striker slightly away from you.I think it's easier to drag the striker towards me. To make yelps just make small circles with the striker tip,never liftin the striker from the call.(it won't make sound on the back stroke)I make these circles in a counterclockwise motionso it makes the yelp sound as i drag it towards me.To cluck,hold the striker the same way and flick your wrist(just like strikin a match)again keep the striker tip on the surface.To purr,add a little more downward pressure and drag the striker(lettin it skip)in a straigt line again keep the striker in contact with the surface.Hope this helps some.Good luck