How To Make a Low Bass Native American Flute from wood

[@paulsolovyov2403]

Perfect. For the first time I find answers to things that i precisely look for. I've never enjoyed KZbin videos on such scale before, can't wait to watch them all over five times at least

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks! (M😉😏)

[@idontlikeit.7822]

Over the years of my flute making you have been my benefactor. I work with bamboo because I only need my kitchen for a workshop. Through your tutelage I now have a very sweet playing quiver of flutes. Salud sense’

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you for your kind words my friend! It sounds like a whole lot of work on your part! Great job, keep it up and I am glad to hear of your work!

[@harleyv1969]

Beautiful Low tone flute, Charlie. I'm glad I watched how you opened up the channels with staggering the bit width and depth, I did the same thing on my latest birch flute with a undersized bit but worked great. I bought more birch and also some walnut strips. I'm not going into business but my grandson is coming from Washington state after graduating high school and he's already a subscriber to your channel we are going to make a flute or two together while he's here, hopefully. By the way I enjoy your flute playing as well as watching you work and listen to your knowledge, wisdom and humor. Always good stuff here.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you my friend!

[@larryshortridge5094]

That was really good. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you so much for watching! Be sure to check out my other videos!

[@bennyhill3642]

Very Nice flute.. Ge8 vid and Thank You for all that info and hard work😇🙏👍

[@BlueBearFlutes]

More on the way! Watch out for a great video on tomorrow!

[@jonasbogaerts3742]

Thanks man, sharing such things, in the close world of craftmanship is a pretty rare thing.. I know little about this particular world of flute making, but i guess few of them are likely to share like you do... I love that, really a lot, not only because it alows me to learn about making flutes, but more because i think its a real shame that chraftmen in general keep secret what they do, and then sell a million dollars their beautiful pieces of work, so that only rich folks can aford.. It's not how it should be, and if we want all the knowledge of our forefather to survive, it must be shared, and sold a decent price, so that middle class have also access to it and can enjoy beautiful things as well. So once again, thank you for what you do, it's a real revolution in my opinion, so let's do it, all of us

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you kindly my friend! Please be certain to share my videos as this helps my family immensely!

[@davidrabensburg4954]

Hey....Trucker from florida here ...still alive and kicking. ..still enjoying your videos... Keep teaching us..

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks so much my friend! Good to hear from you!

[@marciacunningham5877]

Your flutes are not expensive at all considering the experience and craftsmanship involved. I've noticed that a flute tuned warm will go flat when it is cool. I suppose it's best to tune at room temperature. Michael

[@MYSTERECORDS]

SALUTTI CHARLIE .. TRES BONNE EXPLICATION ET COURS SUR CETTE FLUTE LOW BASS A.. ET LE BONUS OF COURSE CA ME FAIS DES COURS D ANGLAIS EN MEME TEMPS BONNE JOURNEE...JACK..

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Merci Mon Ami!

[@RustyGunn7]

Cool critter.

[@wade4452]

Really did enjoy watching this build. Not much on these large, low flutes. Very cool! Thanks

[@dougkomoroski6803]

Beautiful! Thank you for doing this!

[@nvdawahyaify]

I really enjoyed your videos. you have taught me so much about flute making. in fact I have used a lot of the information you give, to make transverse flutes and native american flutes out of bamboo. I was making a transverse flute once with my pocket knife and I remembered something you had said in an older video about straight blades making triangular holes. so I thought to myself what do I have that is closer to being round? I decided to try to use a series of gradually enlarging allen wrenches to drill the holes larger. surprisingly it worked out great. I don't think it would work so great for wood, but it works great for bamboo and other grasses.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Cool! Keep up the good work my friend!

[@Corey-gb1rx]

wow dude so glad I found your channel everything I need to know. Much appreciate

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You bet! There were times when people used to ask me how do you do this or how do you do that so we would simply make a video about it. These days when someone asks me how do you do this or do that I say "we have a video about that" and so many more on the way!

[@henrycems]

Wow great sounding flute. Enjoyed the video so much. Thanks and take care.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for watching!

[@AlvinHanson1708]

Cool, really fun to learn and see. Thank you. Sincerly yours, Alvin.

[@AdventuresInWetShaving]

Wow, Charlie that's a large flute!👍Beautiful work and I very nice sound, well done sir!👍🙂👍

[@BlueBearFlutes]

It is too big!

[@shellmaker10]

What's the old saying....can't be to rich or to big. Or is that to skinny. Anyway nice flute.

[@AdventuresInWetShaving]

I know I tried to make a Bass B from the pattern in your book and my arms were to short to reach the lower fingerings... and this Bass A is even bigger.👍But you nailed it and could still finger the lower holes, again I say WOW!👍🙂👍

[@dennismatovich8411]

Great stuff, love "top a hole"

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😀

[@BrianTownsendFundy]

Wow! Beautiful. Another very informative video.

[@carlosarmandoruiz9176]

excelente Charlie

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Gracias Carlos!

[@userfixit]

Hey. This is A Note from Athens GA checking in -couldn’t resist. Really nice Video. Pleasure to watch you work with that Red Cedar. Enjoy your Video 100% Work Safely and See you on your next Video. I consider this as Flute College. Definitely! -Bob. Athens. GA

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks Bob!

[@AlvinHanson1708]

Way nice.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks my friend!

[@winstonbrooks6254]

You know, you learn something new all the time. I didn't know the American Indian used the metic system that many years ago! That's cool! Is your shop in Europe?

[@1jeepjunke]

Good morning. Loving the videos, knowledge, and humor. What size mortise bit are you using? Thanks, Tom

[@BlueBearFlutes]

In those days, quarter inch. I rarely use it these days.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Also, thanks for watching!

[@dickdock4783]

Really enjoyed this video...I see now how my recent purchase was made. Thanks again Charlie... "I'm going to jump to this A hole first"....That had me laughing....:-)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

dick dock 😂

[@wildernesboy]

Where does he say that 😂

[@yanncourtel8538]

What a beautiful flute! Thanks a lot for all the information you are sharing. I was able to make one bamboo flute playable (in E#) and two others whistle style that needs more tuning but so far thanks to you, I've been making tremendous progress in just a week!! Many blessings. I'm thinking of trying the low tone flute from a bamboo torche I got. It's about 32 inches long but I think I can use only about 30 inches to make a NAF (The diameter of the inside is about 1 inch). I'm thinking to explore different techniques like transverse flute to gain a bamboo node but also the slow air chamber technique to hook another piece of bamboo to blow into it (probably way to advanced to do but one can only dream!). Do you have any experience playing / making these type of flutes? Have a wonderful day!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey my friend, thanks so much for your kind words! I'm glad to hear of your progress and it sounds incredible for only one week! I do have experience making transverse flutes and in the future I may offer videos on that but I haven't decided yet. The more I have people ask about it, the more I feel like I probably should! Keep up the good work! I would love to hear more of your progress.

[@VOKTAA]

Lovely

[@timothydube9528]

Beautiful flute! Excuse this question for being perhaps ignorant of flute making technicalities, but could I add more holes to this in order to make a 6, 7 , or 8 hole low bass flute? I just love this low sound and would love a larger ranger of notes in this low register.

[@timothydube9528]

I think I just realized the answer that at this longer scale for a low flute, the 6 or 7 or 8 finger holes would be too far apart to be playable?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@timothydube9528 also you can play the same amount of notes on a flute with less fingerings.

[@timothydube9528]

Also, is it possible to make a double or triple drone this size? Like one chamber could be this awesome low Bass A, with a higher middle octave drone with the thumb note, and a high octave drone for the third chamber? Thanks for all your work!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You've got to think about how much are it takes to play such a thing too! Even though it may be possible, it may not produce a beautiful sound like you would hope. Many of these I have tried already and decided that it is just not the best direction to go. Thanks again for watching!😁

[@bradmcclure4945]

this would be very cool using aromatic red cedar

[@BlueBearFlutes]

This is where i sell them made from aromaticcedar: www.bluebearflutes.com/product-page/handmade-eastern-red-cedar-native-american-flutes They are pretty cool!

[@markparmenter8331]

Love all your videos!! I have a question, I understand you making many passes using the 3/4 round nose bit, but couldn't you use a larger bit? Also, when tuning, how do you repair if you made the hole too large?

[@larrywiseman]

What are your thoughts about tuning apps?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

As long as it's only a digital tuner, it will work. If it is designed to tell you where to put the fingerings, it won't.

[@tomcartmill401]

G'day Charlie. OK, now will the addition of a sixth fingering above the fifth fingering be stable or will it want to chop between notes. I know I have to ask questions all the time. Thanks for the video and your time Charlie. Tom

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Tom Cartmill hey Tom, thanks for watching and it's a great question! I won't answer your question with a question: do you really want to have an extra fingering on a flute with an already large stretch, keeping in mind you can play all of the notes on this five hole flute that you could play with any 6-hole flute? The only thing that would make it wobble, if we did put a sixth fingering would be the lack of ability to cover it up! Thanks my friend.

[@jeffreyteagle7302]

THAT is a huge flute....LOL :) Sounds great, though :)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Takes a lot of air to play too! 😁

[@bluetongueliz8734]

Hey Charlie, I had a question about the hole placement of this flute. If I were to make this flute into a low bass D instead of A will the hole placement be different? Thanks!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Absolutely! I do have a video on making a low D flute as well.

[@jamieslocks1822]

Dont worry, theres no way you can talk about flute finger holes without your mind suddenly being dragged into the gutter. Great video and thank you for sharing.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Jamie's Locks 😂

[@Markuz1775]

What are the types of wood that you can use to create flutes now a days (2020). I seen bamboo, Cedar and you just made one with Red Cedar but what other types of wood that you could use ? What is the price range of each type of wood also ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I certainly could use any type of wood to make flutes today however we tend to stick with a select few so that the prices don't have to be too expensive, they're marketable and still create an excellent quality product. Having said this, on my website bluebearflutes.com you will find flutes made from thermally treated poplar, eastern red cedar, western cedar, pine and some types of cane. Depending on the type of wood and key which the flute is made in, the price will vary. Please see my website for more information.

[@Markuz1775]

And does the age of the wood make a big difference also (Like a violin)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@Markuz1775 the age of the wood only depends on the type of the wood. It's actually less like the difference between an aged beer versus an aged wine and more like the difference between one brand of aged scotch and another brand of aged scotch. 🙂 I hope that helps!

[@jacobshocklie2928]

I want to make a clay version of this

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Wow! That's commitment! The other video demonstrates me making one out of PCV.

[@TheWingnut58]

Hey!....I'm the top A hole around here! (just couldn't resist...lol) Thanks for another great vid Charlie....you're an amazingly talented and generous guy. Thanks to your willingness to share your knowledge and methods, I've been able to make several flutes for myself as well as a couple of small friends. I'm planning to try and make it to Moundville this year, (I live about an hour away) hope to see you guys there.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hi Rick! I knew eventually that A hole would catch up to me :) I will be at Moundville this year. Hope to see you there!

[@k4trasta]

Hi Blue Bear! thanks for the information you share, its always apreciated. I have a question about making the Flutes: when checking the first tone, with all the holes closed, if we get the octave too easily (meaning with little air flow) rather than the low, first note of the scale, where is the "problem"? Thanks in advance!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for your kind words and for watching our videos! That is actually quite an easy fix. We have several videos on perfecting the track area as well as the secret to flute making which will help. The one thing that will help the most will be gently filing the edge of the track as it goes into the sound hole. If you would, email me through my website so that we can start a dialogue and you can send me a picture of the flute as there is one other possibility that it may be too long. 🙂👍

[@k4trasta]

@@BlueBearFlutes Thanks for the fast reply!! I've seen the other videos, all of that which talk about the track area. But for sure i will send you a picture !

[@waaseanangl5293]

I was always taught that the flute was created to the dimensions of the maker, and being from a tribe with a lot of large men, low bass flutes are pretty common.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I guess a good metaphor would be the idea of a sailor creating a boat simply to keep the water off of his feet. On a side note however, historically, no large low tone North American Indian flutes have ever been discovered. The ideas and concepts of finger sizes and hand lengths are a little over emphasized in the history of flute making today than they actually were used.

[@waaseanangl5293]

@@BlueBearFlutes Most flutes aren't kept for long after their sacred purpose, at least in the local Mide tradition.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@waaseanangl5293 there must be a lot of flute makers there! That's very interesting.

[@jcastanza]

I don’t get why the burning around the track? It would look so nice if it wasn’t charred?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

It's not about looks, it's about the sound and technique of making it. Good observation however, no one has ever said that before!

[@jcastanza]

BlueBearFlutes hey thanks for responding! You know my biggest question is making two holes vs one rectangular track (like you do). I see some people (using PVC) make two holes and I don’t get how that works bc it seems like the air stream would float above the edge that splits the air. And my 2nd biggest question is if you made a 6th hole it would/should be an F right? c-d-e-(f)-g-a ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@jcastanza check this video out with regards to making the sound holes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4qvgoyefZKrers also, the amount of holes that it has does not determine the tone. You can make a six-hole flute in just about any key.

[@POVMTB1]

It amazes me how Americans uses inches and mm at the same time :D not judging but is just interesting observation

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Same here, not judging however the fact that you didn't mention anyone else and you said "uses" which is a verb used for a singular noun, it's suggestive that your comment was directed specifically at one person, not many. Just odd how you can spot those kind of things.

[@POVMTB1]

@@BlueBearFlutes sorry, English isn't my first language

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@POVMTB1 do you know, I'm multilingual myself and there are times and I'll say things in one language or the other because I can't in my main language. Just like measurements. The more you know.