Blue Bear Flutes Explains Traditional Tuning - What is it?

A lot of people don't understand the concept of traditional tuning. In this video I will explain the difference between a traditionally tuned and tuned flute as well as show how it's accomplished. Please subscribe for more great upcoming videos! Visit us at www.bluebearflutes.com

[@scottyj9420]

i ordered a naf from another company , before ever seeing your videos . rest assured when I order another one it will be from you . All the work you put in to it and all the info you actually share is amazing thank you and I will send people to you as well thank you for all the time and effort you put into making these vids it shows your true character next flute I get is a bluebear flute . :)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

scotty j Thank you!

[@banjo1957]

You know your stuff Charlie , beautiful flutes .😊

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😊

[@charliehos3936]

Thanks Charlie. I’m a retired man just learning how to make NAS Flutes and i have to say that you are a great teacher. Each time I see one of your videos, I learn something new. It seems that you go out of your way in order to explain each and every detail of Flute making and that helps tremendously. Thanks again and I’ll be watching for more videos hopefully in the near future.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Glenn G Thanks for watching!

[@youbethejudge5135]

This video convinced me to purchase one.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

👍 Thank you!

[@charliechrist7537]

Thank you so much for making these videos I really had a lot of fun making flutes and celebrating my Cherokee heritage

[@rickgibson72]

Great video. I received your book recently and finally made a couple of really good flutes after a few years of struggling. So I will be continuing the craft for as long as I'm able, over here robin hood country (Nottinghamshire)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

rickter scale gibson Awesome!

[@carlosarmandoruiz9176]

Gracias Charlie, eres el mejor. Un abrazo para vos y tu linda familia.

[@amandadrinsinger6121]

Thank you for providing non-European/traditional native teachings and a nice historical perspective.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hopefully I didn't talk too much. 🙂

[@vallikencorvuskane4556]

Thank you Charlie. The kit came with 2, so I tuned one traditionally and 1 chromatic... I actually like the sound of the traditionally tuned one better. Thank you for the kit and all your help.

[@barbll000]

I'm really enjoying your videos. It's really interesting to watch how the sound can change with your adjustments,

[@BlueBearFlutes]

We've also got lots of videos on how to play the flute as well as some music videos! Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@PreachTheGospel07]

11:30 Sounds great to me, I wish I could get mine to sound like yours. Mr. Charlie you make it look so easy.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Just a tiny bit of practice and I'm sure you will!

[@scottyj9420]

hey Charlie I just could not help myself as I said yesterday I ordered from a different co. but as I watch your vids I know how much time and effort goes into what you do so I ordered one of your flute making kits I have been going to a drum circle . and as everyone was leaving a guy stepped out and played a naf I asked where he got it because I fell in love with that sound. he told me where to go and the next day I ordered it from them . he said to be weary of where you get it like you mentioned in a vid so many from china and labeled go I went to where he got his. then watching your vids I had to in my heart help you a little as well . I figured I could make some of them Cherokee whistle's for the little ones that show up at the circle and give em out to them . I always find little stuff that's cheap at thrift stores . I believe in music and the healing powers it has anything that has todo with music I love . and figured what an awesome way to let the children get into music then those simple whistles . I have never played a flute of anykind in my life . I said I would order something from you and being I never played a naf before instead of ordering another flute ill order your kit :) I just had to show you some love and support for all you do . sorry for the rant now if I can find some cane or sawgrass to make some whistles I live in sw florida . cant wait to get my kit :) thank you thank you again for all you do awesome work and easy to understand

[@c.e.f4916]

scotty j I’m in SE Florida, so a pretty different environment but still. If you go down to the swamps you shouldn’t have to look far for some cane. You honestly don’t even have to go too far into the swamps. The cane normally isn’t too wide (maybe 1”, 1.5 if your lucky) but it does work. Some types you have to let dry out because they have fibers inside (you’ll see them when you cut the cane). But one the cane has been dried for a couple days or so, you can pull the fibers out. But be careful, I’ve seen quite a few moccasins around the cane patches.

[@russcowles3799]

Thank you!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You bet my friend! More to come soon!

[@yandeni]

Very convincing video. No more need to look elsewhere!

[@VOKTAA]

Thank you for the video, i had no idea what goes into making a traditionally tuned flute. Im even more excited to get mine ^_^

[@trmwyldshade1482]

I wanted to thank you for this video. I've been experimenting with traditional tuning and I have found that sometimes although "technically correctly tuned", it doesn't always feel right, correct or proper. I think the words harmonious... Thank you.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I know what you mean. Especially when making drone flutes, there is a fine line between sounding great and perfectly in tune. 🙂 You are definitely welcome my friend!

[@tomcartmill401]

Hey, G'day Charlie Being that people are people, you have answered that persons need to the best of your ability at the time and now you have made it so we all are reminded of the differences. You can only do what you can do. Thank You. Tom PS, you didn't waffle that much today. lol

[@wildernesboy]

Charlie can you make a video that talks about sanding the inside of a River cane flute with those dowel rod Sanders you have. Tips and tricks sort of stuff.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Marlon J Bernaldez sure! I'll get that done this week.

[@wildernesboy]

BlueBearFlutes thank you Charlie your very kind

[@christopherschissler1675]

Ordered your book today and have been enjoying your videos.Going to start with bamboo because I have some already dried about the right diam for an F# NAF. Was somewhat successful at making a High 'D' transverse flute previously, but had to add a piece to the foot end because it was too (short) sharp to tune. One of the tone holes gave me trouble because the bore was eliptical in this area and I elongated the hole to compensate. Was just a fun, unstructured project but a good learning experience. Approaching NAF making a little more seriously and armed with some practical knowledge (thanks to you) am curious as to your tuning technique 'burning' in the holes. Would like to know if you may intentionally angle the burning tool a few degrees toward the sound hole to sharpen it if you are close to in-tune and don't want to enlarge the hole any more. Does this work and are there any adverse affects? Thanks for sharing your craft!

[@ThePragmaticTraveler]

Thank you!!!

[@ravifamilyaccount472]

Hi Charlie How can I but the blow touch you are using to put holes on flutes please guide me

[@BlueBearFlutes]

The "torch head" is available at hardware stores and online. The propane tank I am using is specific to "camping" and is sold for heaters and Cook stoves. I hope this helps. 🙂

[@cherylwiglover8400]

Hi Charlie, now I'm trying to decide if I want a traditionally tuned A Blue Bear flute. It does sound mellower than the 440Hz one. My small, numb, tapered fingertips don't cover the holes very easily. I've been playing in front of a mirror as you suggest every day for 3 months but still have to twist my fingers and wrists in different directions to reach and cover the holes completely. I know to use the flat of my fingertips but I'm still struggling. Do you think making the area around the holes slightly dished or the top of the flute around the hole pattern flattened would help seat my numb fingertips better? Or what about wrapping some thick cord with edges around the flute between the holes would give my fingertips some feedback? I'm willing to practice a lot and am watching all your videos, too. Disabilities make us adapt. Thanks!

[@brentknudson3397]

I'm New at flute making I've made 30 is there a way of making a 6 hole over tone flute that sounds like the same but different?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

The best overtone flutes have fewer holes so that may be something to consider. Also, have you seen any of my 6 hole flute videos?

[@wadepatton2433]

Great. Mine matched yours after you were satisfied.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

WTF? (What the flute?)

[@wadepatton2433]

@@BlueBearFlutes the tuning of this flute in hand. I was just trying to sort out a new to me flute and get started on a proper path. Thank you.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@wadepatton2433 Excellent! Good luck! 🙂

[@raybesst4648]

Charlie I have a five finger flute I made and I can't get the fourth hole to play an A the base note is a B what am I doing wrong

[@POVMTB1]

and still where to drill initial holes remains the mystery

[@BlueBearFlutes]

The mystery is, you have 10 comments on my channel suggesting you've watched other videos and why you would ask this question at this point? You do know the difference between an explanation videos and how to make videos, right?

[@adamofathens]

I thought they both sounded great. I wonder though if I tuned my guitar to the traditionally tuned flute and then played along with it would they be out of tune with each other past the first note?

[@jannepotter509]

Do you sell the tuning rod or only the block track bar?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

We actually use the other end of the track tool to enlarge the holes.

[@RustyGunn7]

Thank you, Charlie. Good info.