How to Make a Native American Flute: Key of D

[@soidog659]

Thanks Charlie. Very informative. I learned a lot about N A flutes and other flutes by understanding how they are made. All beginners should watch this video.

[@patricksavard1751]

There are no words to express my gratitude for the absolute generosity you show here as you share so much of the experience you took years (and hundreds of flutes) to acquire. In such times of social distancing, I have been looking for projects to keep busy, and the sound of this flute is mesmerizing, hence I decided to try to make one just for "fun." I have no intention of hitting the production mode, as I fully appreciate the skill one needs to produce consistent instruments When I get to buy a professional grade one, rest assured that it will be one of yours! I am also interested in getting your book! Thank you so, so much for sharing! Patrick from Quebec

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks so much Patrick! You can find my book (and lots of flutes) on bluebearflutes.com and be sure to check out our many other videos!

[@brianlstephens6271]

Really enjoyed this video. I found it fascinating to see how my low D flute was made. I appreciate my flute even more now. Thank you, Charlie.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you my friend!

[@carloscordal6831]

Charlie, every video you post has a lot of useful information. Thanks a lot for sharing!!

[@agoogleuser3787]

After hours makes this an extra appreciated video.

[@daltonvickers7977]

Love the videos. Enjoy watching your work. Love the sound. All together enjoyable. Thank you very much

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+dalton vickers Thanks!

[@johnmcmurran]

A fantastic video Charlie, great to watch how you make them, thank you.

[@woshafer]

Another great video Charlie! I learn something new every time I watch your videos, and usually something new each time I re-watch them. 😀 I know you warn against using your techniques, but they have saved me so much time and frustration.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+woshafer Thanks. I warn against some things because they are dangerous. Burns and cuts are regular occurrences here.

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

you are such a great teacher your like a freind i never met i seen alot video on other flute maker and there i some thing about personal touch that you put in to your flutes that just make them better

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+ClydeMelissa Darrow Thank you for seeing that in me.

[@bariawan1]

How much diameter does the hole make for a "d" tone?🙏🙏🙏

[@BlueBearFlutes]

It's about 1 inch in inside diameter.

[@bariawan1]

Thank you very much 🙏🙏🙏

[@kellyklaask7su990]

Another excellent video. I know these take a lot of time to do so thank you for doing these!

[@TheRoyalBavarian]

Thank you Charlie for your kind of therapy.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey, no worries! Thank you and all my other Bavarian cousins for such great pastries and beer!

[@keithchapman902]

Wiley Coyote Thank u hope to start Making flutes In your same Style

[@mikehampersr9560]

This was great Charlie,, I also really enjoy. Your total presentation . I feel we are in the room together with your generous sharing of your experience and all the antidotes -- prattle you call it -- your the real deal Charlie --stay the straight arrow ! -- 😊

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Mike Hamper Sr Thanks Mike.

[@davidblack4379]

Another well covered video, and I do appreciate you burning the insides.

[@f1948s]

I see your book is showing how to make a 5 hole flute. Why not a 6 hole? With a 6 hole does that make the flute playable in a chromatic scale like a lot of flutes I see made today? Thanks Charlie for you videos. I like them very much.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Franko, that is an excellent question! Please watch this video to help answer it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nquTf318pcR9gZY Additionally, I do have videos on playing the chromatic scale with ease on the five hole flute!

[@randallcorbello2857]

Thanks Charlie for the video is really help you understand your book better

[@pedramsafaeifar8268]

It was awesome! Thank you for sharing us your precious knowledge. Live long my friend

[@EnergiaEquilibrio2-dg4ym]

Gracias por compartir. me encantan las flautas nativo americano. quisiera comprar tu libro. me gustaría saber si está en formato digital. saludos desde Chile.

[@wildernesboy]

At 39:43 when you turned on your fan. Theirs a white and black small box hanging above your fan is that some sort of arm wrap for carpal tunnel or is that box a sort of ointment?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Marlon, that's a great question! If it's the small black Square package to the right of center above the box fan, that is actually a pack of pantyhose that my son and I were using to build a Van de Graaff generator! Ah, the things that you find in a woodshop!

[@AlvinHanson1708]

Spending my time here today, thanks for your professional help. Alvin.

[@marc-antoineboutin5710]

Hi I am curious what is the book did you use ? Thank you. You do a very good job

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I wrote it. www.bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making

[@paultaylor9970]

Hi love your video tutorials can I ask do you have the measurements for the markers for the back board for the router so I know we’re to start and finish my router if that makes sense thanks

[@BlueBearFlutes]

This will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnagGydgb2alaM

[@olgwoodart4996]

Thank you for the knowledge and the inspiration

[@JoeLittlehorn]

I didn’t catch anything about 6 hole flutes with regard to hole dimensions; If I wanted to make a 6 hole version, would I just evenly space it between the second and third hole?

[@JoeLittlehorn]

Awesome video by the way! I especially like that you employ “shou sugi ban” on the inside.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for your kind words. With regards to placing a sixth hole, that's quite another rabbit hole for you to go down. Historical 6 hole flutes did not play the same way that modern 6 hole flutes do. I have several videos about that. Let me know if you can't find them.

[@oOReboOo]

Great start to the series and love the video length. I always enjoy the how to along with the rambling, many thanks.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+oOReboOo Thanks, I know some folks complain about all that prattle!

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

great video

[@mrgrnjns1111]

Another great video Charlie..

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Jimmy Mead Thank you :)

[@jol241]

Thanks for making these great videos I Build Guitars want to try My Hand at flutes Learning a lot from your videos appreciate your sharing of your years of experience Thanks Man

[@AdventuresInWetShaving]

Charie I have bought your book and I have made a couple of A4 flutes and a G flute out of Bamboo. I do have some Bamboo that I cut that has an 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" ID and I'm wondering how I could adjust the fingering hole to make your low tone B, C and D flutes that should have a 1" ID. Any help or ideas would be very greatly appreciated, thanks for all you do I really enjoy all your videos! 👍🙂👍

[@joelb2297]

Another excellent video!

[@BrianTownsendFundy]

Excellent as usual. Very informative. There is a certain point in the video where you mention burning the holes at an angle to make the notes sharper, but even before that when burning all the holes the burning tool appears to be at an angle as well, the same angle as sharpening. I can’t tell is that is just an optical illusion because of the camera angle & perspective or if it really is at an angle.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Probably an optical illusion however when burning holes at an angle, I may have been talkin about the sound hole. With regards to the fingerings, I can burn underneath of them and that will make them sharper while appearing to be nearly the same size on the outside. I hope this helps.

[@avagage1]

great job and very reasonable prices

[@MrMods-SlipStreamGT]

That is one beautiful flute!! I made a few flutes in G, but I actually need some solid advice from you! I made a 32 inch long bass flute in G, 1 1/8" bore hole through, only did the flute mouth key that is .5" wide X .3" long air split key starts at 31" so where do I start, measure 1st finger hole and what sizes/spacing to drill and where so I could dirll A, B, C, D, E, F, G holed 7 holes exactly. Help be much appreciated!

[@funkyblue3166]

Is it possible to make these lower toned flutes with smaller finger holes? Is it more about the distance from the sound hole to the leading edge of the hole, or the diameter of the holes?

[@funkyblue3166]

LMAO, never mind you answer the question at 1:07:18

[@timliggett5088]

i would love one of your flute making books

[@BlueBearFlutes]

www.bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making 🙂

[@agoogleuser3787]

How far from the top edge do we put the rectangular hole thingy?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

As far as you want. There is no set rule. Also, we just finished a video on that and we'll have it uploaded shortly!

[@agoogleuser3787]

@@BlueBearFlutes oh awesome! A) thank you for the quick response. B) I have found another source , and the dimensions are the same for a G, but it is in 3/4" pvc. So I will make the D with 1". Should work. This my first go. So those dimensions are pretty close to what you say, and everything else fits according to your diagram there. I am on a serious budget, so will have to buy all your books later, and I will. Just trying to handle adversity positively.

[@root123]

Thanks for your videos. I want to ask you how can I make a 2 octave flute? I have tried many times and no success. Any recommendations. Thanks and keep making amazing flutes.

[@jannepotter509]

Could you list the sizes of burning rods one should have and where to purchase..thank you

[@jannepotter509]

Are plans and mark placings for your router guide in your book

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Plans for most of the flutes we make are listed in our book however with regards to those lines on my router backguard, they're not remotely necessary to have for someone making five, ten or even twenty flutes. As a matter of fact, I didn't start doing that until I hit somewhere around 900,000! 🙂

[@twofeathers6540]

thank you that was grate thanks

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you my friend!

[@revuaf]

Thanks Charlie... as also the flutes turned out nice... I would also suggest that your producer needs a raise... hehehehe... Looking forward to the next videos.

[@MessiahHasReturned]

I use pine and spruce oil and leather wax for horse saddles with wool wax and bees wax.

[@jannepotter509]

What diam drill do you use for initial holes?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

It's personal preference, and I like a 3/16th.

[@jonstarbird8484]

How long is the slow chamber?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I actually made a video about that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqSTZ4B7f8ycgK8si=FQpSOqAHCXY1DepX

[@jannepotter509]

Could you use a hand held planer to round it off?

[@itachi58kun]

Omg thank you very much for this nice video !

[@jannepotter509]

What size grit paper do you sand the inside with?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I like 60

[@jannepotter509]

What is the diam of the forstner bit

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Because its purpose is to Simply flatten that area, you can use just about any forstner bit size within reason. You will find out down the road that the size of your forstner bit helps to determine the size of the flute block. Mine are 1 1/2 inch diameter.

[@abadodo8468]

Is sanding the bore necessary on something you wouldn't split? For example, a small elderberry branch. If so, how do you accomplish this? Thank you.

[@NigelRamses]

Bravo

[@tomcartmill3456]

Fine job Charlie. What can I say, just show me more please. Thank you Charlie. Tom

[@ivanrowe2880]

Wounded bird that’s funny, thankfully it wasn’t the nose picking finger or was it 🤪 You are raising the bar and sharing crafting musical knowledge, priceless. It takes a special person to share and it’s APPRECIATED.

[@3rdEyeEvolutionaries]

The flutes I make come out "airy". Is my track not slanted enough?

[@jannepotter509]

Is the track slightly deeper on the air in end

[@tomvanthienen3716]

I made that flute.. Now have to sand the edges, and stuff. Flute is now still a good 5mm to long and I come out with Eb or D#. I made it in mm. So to reach D its now to short or a bit to long?

[@svipull5816]

Im really interested in getting one, but I have absolutely no idea how to play the flute or anything about music. What does it mean when the flute is in D or in F# , does it just change the hight of the notes, sorry for the stupid question x)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Sanel R. Its not a stupid question at all! Each flute begins and ends on the same note. Which note that is determines the key. An 'A' flute is of a moderate/high range, G is lower, F# lower, E, D, and so on. A good low tone flute to begin with would be an E. Check out this video on the secret to flute playing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gojbmJd9jJJ6qKs

[@stephenmosack4496]

after making my two flutes, I've noticed a very pronounced hiss in the sound. Would the track be responsible for that hiss? My track is very shallow (and I made it with a dremel so it's not as smooth as it probably should be).

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Stephen Mosack Usually a hissing sound indicates an air leak, possibly under the block area where it may be uneven allowing air to escape, or it could be the angle/depth of the track area. make sure the sound hole and air supply hole are square and not rectangular.

[@harleyv1969]

👍 Awesome!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you my friend!

[@harleyv1969]

@@BlueBearFlutes, last week I ordered a flute, high D, my 2nd flute and I really wish I had found you prior. I want one of the low key flutes and when my wife isn't looking I'm going to get one like this one in the video from you, thank you for sharing your talents and master skills. Truly enjoyed the vids I've been watching from you. 👍🙏

[@agoogleuser3787]

4:38 yes. I have had people make fun of me over safety gear. Some of them are now missing body parts, some of them are dead, due to work related respiratory illnesses. Don't screw around.

[@amyjones7962]

For some reason I had the feeling y’all were from Oklahoma! 😊😂 Eastern Oklahoma here!!!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@amyjones7962 Have lived there, taught flute making at the library downtown, sold flutes to the Heritage Center/CNO Giftshops and worked for Greenleaf on Lake Tenkiller, but thankfully no longer! Is Perry's giftshop still across from the council building? I haven't heard from him in forever! Think I've talked to his brother in NC since I've seen him... Likewise, if you are CNO and a "Jones", there's a chance we're related. One of my gggf (Jones) was one of the 1917 treaty's "reservation recipients in Alabama". Of course there were other gggf and gggm's who received 1817 reservations in my family as well. Cheek's, Stephen's, Merrill's and others as well were great-greats... just in case you're doing research 😉 - 😅

[@rubenwood6730]

Grazie Charlie

[@ROY-COLLEY]

That was so really interesting. Can I ask why it was after you burnt the inside of the flute. Then you sanded it. Why you didn't sand the air chamber too ? Was there a reason you didn't sand it ? That's so much for these vids . Much more entertaining than watching TV. Take care and May your God go with you .

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you my friend for your kind words! There was a time in the past when I sanded the inside of the air chamber as well but it's not as totally necessary. The smoothness of its chamber does not affect the sound quality.

[@NolaGB]

I'm very drawn to the lower note flutes.. I find them claiming.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Many people are. Similar to the delta waves, low tones tend to make one sleepy or relaxed.

[@hipdogdsv]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Your shop works for you, Nuff said.

[@bradmcclure4945]

book link please

[@BlueBearFlutes]

If you visit my website bluebearflutes.com, you may see more than just a book! 😀 If you don't have time here's how to get to just the book: www.bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making

[@thomaspope797]

What if you wanted to add a 6th hole?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

From a traditional flute the sixth hole would have been above the top fingering (with a modern six hole flute you could put it anywhere because it doesn't matter since you have to keep it covered all the time) but my question is why would you want to add that when you can play all of the notes from any six hole flute on this five hole flute? If you haven't seen them yet, you might want to check out my videos on the subject.

[@AlvinHanson1708]

I noticed your table saw push stick , I have been resarching those and none of them on the market have a finger gaurd, like some kind of shear gaurd that covers the finger area. I know it would be easy to make some that look like a lever action 30/30 with a angle on it. It seems to me a person using a table saw will not check hight of blade when changing out depth sizes. The hand runs over the blade area! So I do not use my table saw unless Im very alert, Just saying. That thought always is important. Living next to a saw mill I have seen some bosses yelling hurry, hurry! No thanks I thought.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I definitely understand what you mean! I've had some troubles in the past with my table saw, one of which sent me to the hospital! Always be careful!

[@jannepotter509]

What if you dont have a planer

[@tomvanthienen3716]

The measurement of the compleet flute seems so different then to one's on paper.. My holes are close to each other than what I can see on this video.. Center center the last 3 is about 32 mm.. Like in your book..

[@wolflahti412]

Taking *way* too much wood at a single time uisng the router. That much wood should be taken using multiple passes - 1/4 inch is probably too much (though you can probably get away with that much in a wood as soft as western red cedar). Taking light cuts will prevent wear on the router motor, prevent wear on the bit, prevent chip out and other surface problems with the cut, and prevent the bit from grabbing the wood and throwing it or [!] pulling your hand into the cutter.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

At 100,000 flutes this year, I really need to do it in one pass.

[@anthonymohler2434]

That is legendary. Your videos are awesome! Thank you!

[@dockvada]

Just a smidgen

[@geryalan]

You’re like the Bob Ross of flute making!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I will do my best to live up to those standards! Thank you so very much!

[@stephenmosack4496]

@44:55 gesunheit. :)

[@mrsensable]

OK everyone. Lets make some donations to get Charlie a 1" bit.

[@hobie1dog]

Great except for the GD political ads

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Unfortunately I don't select which GD ads run.