As an old low-brass player (trombone, tuba), I can completely agree. I've even given feedback on that very point to an occassional new official. Its such a simple thing to change and get increased credibility and believability.

If I were try to put it into a "word"....

Don't: ....hhhaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh....

But do: TaaaaaaaaaahhhT

I use a "staccato" whistle mainly on violations or when a call is made away from the ball or isn't obvious.

As for a whistle tip, a good friend of mine worked a game w/ Jim Burr last year...Burr said the shorter your whistle, the more confident you sound in your call. Not sure that I agree 100% on that, but since Burr has worked 14 of the last 16 Final Fours (or something like that), I'll defer to his advice...:)

I believe Burr has earned the right to end each of his informational sentences with the word "Grasshopper".

http://fusionanomaly.net/kungfudoyouhear.jpg