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Flute making is something that I have wanted to try for some time now. I am not a flute player, but I thought that it would be fun to learn to play, so why not make my first flute.
At some point I would like to make one out of wood or bamboo, but thought that a simple and cheap way to make a prototype would be to use some non metallic PVC that I had lying around the shop.
I used a 16.75″ piece of 1/2″ PVC and used the online flute calculator, Flutomat, to determine hole size and spacing. As you can see there are two holes that are offset. The purpose behind this arrangement is to allow a more natural placement of your fingers based on the differences in finger length.
The end plug was made out of a cork used for winemaking. These corks are the same diameter of the outside of the PVC pipe, so I turned it down on the lathe to 1/2″ at the right length and seated it into the pipe with a mallet. I was going to cut off the excess cork, but decided that leaving it as is gave it some character that would be lost had I had cut it off flush.
It turned out pretty well for my first flute. Each note is in tune with each other and overall the flute is only slightly flat when tested on my electronic tuner. I have enjoyed learning to play this little flute. Overall I am quite happy with it and think that it will be nice for camping and hiking as it is light and very durable.
Dave, get some “River Cane” for your next Fife… Here is a you-tube of Ohta Turner collecting river cane a making a ‘Fife’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91_oMlVqKcQ Otha plays the fife in the Martin Scorsese film “Gang’s of New York” …
Joe
Thanks Joe for the advice. I was hoping to find some bamboo but it does not grow around here. I will have to look for the river cane. I assume it is just a smaller bamboo?
Thanks,
Dave
Home Depot, Lowe’s Garden section or your local Farm Feed store will have bamboo or river cane plant stakes if you don’t have easy access to them in the natural…
Joe
And here is a link with dimensions for making a simple plastic flute
http://www.markshep.com/flute/Pipe.html
Interesting article. I notice they used an end cap instead of a cork like I did. Thanks for the link.
This is really a great concept! I’ve got to make one for my grandson – he’s a natural musician. He’ll love it. Don’t be surprised if he e-mails a Thank You to you!
Hey Doug. Sounds good. You will have to post a blog about it so I can see how it turns out.
Dave
I’ll do that, Dave. My grandson is very good at musical instruments. Seems to be able to lay about anything, just wish he’d get some instruction on the piano instead of trying to learn it by himself. Just be able to learn good habits.