For years I've tried using mouth calls. But I'm a gagger, and quite frankly, could never get one to make a sound longer than a second or two. I've tried various brands over the years and have tried trimming them but stiill no good at it!
I am determined to master these things!! . . . So is there a particular brand of diaphram that does not gag and works particularly well? I'm familiar with the different 1, 2, and 3 reed variety. Not the issue. It's the whole
Any comments on proper usage and technique?

I too have a hard time with mouth diaphrams. I haven't tried one for elk but always have a couple when I turkey hunt. When the bird is close I use one so I am not moving my hands. That said I have to say I have had great luck with the hoochie mama cow elk call. It is a squeeze bulb call with a couple of different settings. 2 years ago I got busted by a cow and calf and knew the main herd was just over the ridge. I figured what the heck and let out a couple of cow calls and to my amasement the cow that had me spotted just started to feed her way down the canyon followed by all the rest and the bull. I put him on the ground and the same thing happened again this year. I had a bunch of cows charge down the ridge and either spotted or scented me. They took off and I started to wail on the hoochie and all of a sudden a couple of cows came running right back down the ridge followed by their bull. He too is in my freezer. I keep it in the left pocket of my vest and can operate it one handed right in the pocket. I was with a buddy this year after I got my elk and we jumped a bull and a few cows out of beds. They took off running and I made a couple of quick calls and the bull and cows stopped and looked back. My buddy quickly filled his cow tag. Try it I think it will work for you too.

Thanks . . . buut I have and use other calls. My favooriite is the E.L.K., Inc Power Bugle. Very goood. And several coow calls including Hoochie Mama.
But as I stated, I am determined to master the mouth call(s). That's where I need help.
My suspicion is that they aRE ALL ABOUT THE SAME, AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF MIND OVER MATTER.
You know, if I don't mind, iit doesn't matter.

I know what you mean. I usually buy a few mouth calls every turkey season. Some do work better than others. I usually find that if I trim them they are ruined so I just buy a couple and use the one that works the best.