Making a Native American Flute - Finding the Fundamental Note

[@lazytomcatranch]

Beautiful gray tiger tabby You have there. Very affectionate. As You might guess from My account name, or from the intro of the last video I uploaded a year ago, I also love cats. Anyhow as someone who is interested in making flutes sometime soon this video raises interesting questions about the volume of space a given flute has as it relates to the distance from the sound hole to the end of the flute, and the interior diameter of the flute. The two major questions being how to determine the flute's fundamental note (lowest frequency sound), AND the location to put the hole for the second lowest note (the finger hole furthest from the sound hole). Beyond that, using a small drill bit to start each hole, test it with a tuner, and decide which direction to expand the hole in (if needed) etc. I get now what You mean by using the specifications of an already existing flute as a guide. So I guess the easiest way to make flutes would be to buy a flute to use as a guide for each type of flute You want to make. For instance if You want to make low C bass flutes You would need to buy a low C bass flute to use as a guide in making them. You could then copy the length and interior diameter of the flute You bought. Followed by using a tape measure to copy the location of each finger hole from the purchased flute to the flute You are making. This would be the easiest in terms of effort and experimentation, but costly in terms of money. A less costly in terms of money way would be to make Your first flute of each type a sacrifice in making the ones that follow. By simple trial and error. If You have a set interior diameter You are going to use for that kind of flute, make the flute longer than what You think it will need to be, and before making any holes, test the fundamental note with a tuner. Then simply shorten the length a tiny bit each time, testing it each time until You have a fundamental note that is the minor of the note You are trying to make. After that, sand the end, until You have the exact fundamental note You want for this type of flute. For the finger holes You will have to guess, putting a tiny starting hole to see if it is close enough to correct by expanding the hole closer or further from the sound hole, or if You need to write down what it turned out to be on a sticker and cover that hole. If so, guess again, now with the knowledge of what note Your first attempt turned out to be using a different side of the flute if Your next guess spot is close to the first (remember, since this guide/sacrificial flute will never be played it does not matter which side the holes are on). Once You have a note that is really close to the note You want You can expand the hole closer or further from the sound hole depending on if the current note is a sharp or a flat of the desired note. Now please note that I have never made a flute before, and I am just thinking that this method should work. If Charlie ever reads this comment, maybe He can reply as to if He thinks this method would work or not. l)J

[@OkieOrganix]

I agree the hardest part is the air track below the block. After making 30 something flutes now I’m finally getting better at specifically that part. If you fail and it’s so bad it’s unusable just start over and try again. You’ll get the knack of it with practice. Blue bear rocks 🎸 ❤️

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Definitely! I do have a video on fixing the track that might give you some options for the other 30, but great to hear you got it now! Keep up the good work!

[@roosterkliewer18]

I love your passion...i can feel it from here! Flutes are made by people...with their hands! Yes

[@johnlantz7278]

Always a good day when I great the sun playing my flute ,sets the mood for me,after a lifetime of music learning to enjoy life with a passion for music and appreciation for a great sound blue bear is a blessing for me ,thank you an your family my brother.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you for your wonderful words and outlook my friend!

[@tomtomlin3408]

Always love your videos. Always informative and entertaining. What a loving cat, it's cool how the tail stops when you play.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

And as I mentioned, she's really very deaf! She can only hear some sounds a little.

[@beatonpathcreationsbeaton9225]

I've been watching your videos for just over a year now and they've been a great guide! Nothing beats trial and error ! What an adventure it's been. Thank you !

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😄

[@AbonneAbscent]

hello Charlie, this cat loves you and enjoys you playing, amazing little fella. Instructive vid as usual. Greetings from Belgium

[@BlueBearFlutes]

🙏🙂🙏 Thank you!

[@sherrillmcgill]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Love your kitty

[@davidglynnguitars8119]

Another good video. I learn something from every video. Thank you for sharing your craft with all of us.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😄 Thank you for watching my friend!

[@ArminHirmer]

where do I get this neck warmer? :D :D great video

[@amyjones7962]

Your cat is just plumb amazing. Side note: I’m going to go check your website to see if you guys offer classes in person. Like a flute retreat or class. In which we could learn the history and watch a flute being made in person so we could ask our silly questions. 😊

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@amyjones7962 I currently don't offer flute classes or retreats in person however there are a few events that I am attending this year where I will be showing flute making and playing if you'd like to stop by. Contact me through my website for more info.

[@Julian-bq9qv]

Good to see you as always but had to comment how much I LOVE that beautiful kitty!!! The semi-outro tune was beautiful too. BTW- am I the only one who sometimes just grows tired of playing my flutes? I am OLD, and it may be that, but I seem to go through cycles when I want to play every night- and then after a few months i just seem to get weary and lose interest- then it returns again. I do not understand but still, I love having my flutes ( you made several of them) just to look at and handle them even when not wanting to play.

[@jasonwalton1985]

I have found that they go very sharp in the cold weather, especially near freezing. Lol

[@makomike1234]

Love the kitty....and the flutes.

[@Taphani]

Thanks for sharing this valuable information 🙏🏽 I totally get it but what if you are working with bamboo flutes? There always have differences in diameter and shape… I find it hard to get my first fingerholes started, and I‘m always scared to damage this already established fundamental sound… Is there a way to calculate the finger holes, if you manage to set the first one in the right position ? Thanks again❤

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey, great question! I could probably make an entire video on that particular question. There are online calculators but they are not going to do the human thing that you need to have done. As a matter of fact, I have a new video coming out about a flute that someone used a online calculator to create. To help solve your difficulty however the best thing to do is to find a pattern which is relative to the size diameter of the bamboo you have and then bass your flute fingerings and the length of the flute on that pattern. You may have to cut the flute a little shorter or have it a little longer than the pattern and the fingerings may be slightly smaller or larger in diameter. I have a video that might help you out and understanding this a little further called how to adapt a pattern to fit your material. Check it out and let me know what you think.

[@RickWaller-zu7bt]

The gold figures can actually fly,a remote controlled version was made based on the dimensions of one of the figures and not only did it fly but it was very arrow dynamic .

[@BlueBearFlutes]

So glad to hear you say that my friend! I had seen that program too!

[@whisperingwings852]

Kitten hugs

[@ruckusfpv327]

With so many variables to screw up during the making process, i.e. TSH size, inner diameter, overall length, etc. even attempting to follow a pattern can prove a futile endeavor. I would imagine that ancient flute makers would have just used the size of their own hands and experience to determine hole placement. In my case, I am early in my flute making journey so each one still comes out a bit different. I have found that I just need to pick a spot to start and go for it, if finger holes start to get wildly oversized then I make plugs and try again or bite the bullet and just start over. I have a pile of what I refer to as "Lesson Sticks".

[@Adventureoutdoors.]

Hello I have a flute that doesn’t have a block how can I find one. Have no Idea what I’m looking for

[@BlueBearFlutes]

If you could send me a picture of it through the contact form on my website, I should be able to help you.

[@RockyCestroni]

Do you have any patterns available?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

In my book and throughout hundreds of youtube videos. 🙂

[@tomcartmill401]

😊😊

[@BdotRASS]

Problem is, you can't unput a hole in the flute. Would be nice to have a rough formula just as a starting point for hole spacings. Also cool flute, do you sell them?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for your comment! You must have missed the video. 😄

[@BdotRASS]

@@BlueBearFlutes I remember watching something, must've gotten distracted by the egyptian helicopters. :D