How to Make a Native American Flute from Sumac

How to make a native american flute from staghorn sumac

[@CanvasFalcon]

This video is by far the best tutorial for Native American Flute making, I am also Cherokee and it's good to see another share our heritage of real and authentic craftsmanship using only bare essentials as you have. This is the Cherokee way. Nvwadohiyadv

[@amywilliams1753]

After my Grandfather passed away back in July of this year I had a dream of making a flute, With the guidance of your video I have completed my dream shown to me by my grandfather. The flute I made was a drone, I'm starting work on another traditional flute for my mother as a surprise Christmas gift. I just wanted to say thank you for this video. Like you I too like the "ugly" flutes. Again Thank you so much for this video, you helped me bring life to my Grandfathers flute.

[@AwareLife]

"...emphasizes the beauty of the sound, coming out of an ugly old stick" Says it all. Enjoyed watching you make this from scratch. Genuine article. Thanks.

[@CinnastixChick]

Dude you are flippin legit! You really actually sat there and made yourself a flute in an afternoon. Thats awsome

[@mistdlegendre]

i do live in Oklahoma and did find some sumac as well as some willow that was perfect for the job, my daughter has played flute for 7 yrs and has been begging for one, thank you so much now i can give her something her mother made with some bead work it will be perfect present, really enjoyed your video thank u so much for sharing it, the flute by the way is almost done, have a great day

[@larrybahler6828]

Hi, like you I have a low tolerance for living in a town. The natural world renews my mind and body! Yours is the first demonstration on how to make a Native American flute that I have seen. THANK YOU! I will look for some died sumac and see if I can make a stress reliever!

[@kaoss2315]

I thank you for taking the time to show us how to make a simple native american flute. I can't wait to try this for myself. your video was excellent even with the modern everyday distractions. Great job!

[@slowerpicker]

"It emphasizes the beauty of the sound when you're playing an ugly old stick." Great line! The natural look is wonderful and very appropriate. Great video.

[@ajtaranto1989]

11 Years Later and thanks to this tutorial not any of the many others I managed to nail it on my first try and I used Ash wood for my Flute I didnt take the paved road.

[@JohnMarraynthm]

Just finished watching a second time. Thanks for inspiring me to make one out of wood. I've made various PVC flutes but none have the warmth of your REAL Native American Flute.

[@juglansnigra7948]

to save knife edge, use broken glass to scrape for very smooth results. Tape fingers or wear glove. Like this video and your frugality. Having family , a dog , and a passion is a great thing too see. Thank you, even if I don't get a tone out of my flute.

[@nativeamericanwander]

I just finished making my first Native American flute . I turned out really well. I will be making many more.Thank you for your excellent video .

[@JamesEGreen]

Couldn't have done with out your instruction. YOU are awesome!

[@ro8v28]

I love your spirit. you are a natural teacher!

[@jpomalay3367]

I want to thank you sir ,with what you share I'm able to have a time in nature playing a hand made instrument ,I'm really grateful fotr what yous share ,god bless you

[@nightmagick68]

Thank you!!!! Seriously, thank you for sharing. Enjoyed every bit of humor to go along with your craftsmanship.

[@RickyD1968]

I think all your videos are really inspirational and making things from nature are really cool !

[@javawriter]

Very generous of you to make this video and explain in detail everything you did! Thanks much. I found driftwood on the beach last month; it is a hollow tube; I wanted to understand principles before trying to make a flute out of it, and you've helped me.

[@grif5332]

honestly....I think this is the best video on youtube! thank you for sharing it with us!

[@robb5706]

Good stuff! I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one who plays the bottom 3 holes with my left hand. Thank you.

[@LornaC474]

Thank you for showing me how to make a flute with tools I can find...great!

[@hoppytom]

Hey just saw this how to video for the first time and its great. I've been wanting to make flute with my grandsons and now I can do it. This will be great fun. Thanks for sharing this skill.

[@WaterGirl49]

I rename you "He who cries with the wind" Amazing, thank you for the video

[@WAGONJON]

Dude, your video absolutely rocks! Even with all the adverse noises and the dog barking, I was amazed to see how easy, or should I say how easy you make it seem, to make a Native American flute! Thanks for sharing this!! :)

[@mahkahredgrass8590]

Thank you for taking the time to share with us your knowledge.

[@DiscipleThomasOM]

Art and Music are the way to finding yourself...through yourself...within yourself...and bringing life to nature within nature....making a dead piece of wood sing again?...thats amazing...Thanks for the video...thanks for passing on the Ancient ways...Keep it Tight ..lol

[@amberxoxo4303]

This looks so much more cooler! I like the more nature appearance of it! You are very much talented!

[@Dagrond]

I came for a five minute video and stayed the whole hour. Thanks for the education.

[@msmaggie57]

I'll give it a go and then post a link for the photo of the finished effort. Thanks for the video I intend to watch it many times as I work.

[@AChypnotist]

That was awesome work man! Cool work on the walking sticks in the background. Keep it up man, bringing life back to the old ways.

[@ohgaryo]

no one has ever made a better video that you do..you are the first to explain everything in detail...i made my first flute from one inch bore bamboo...it sounds more like a high pitch horn..could you please make a video to show a more close up of how you make the square sound holes and bird area..the low tone of your flute is my goal..thanks so much for all you do to help us...

[@malimayaluna4362]

Thank you! I really enjoy your videos, you are a good teacher! And I love that doggy you have, always around there with you : ) nice life teachings! Gracias!

[@etzshalom]

Thanks for sharing, your knowledge is now part of my life.

[@DMillsRN]

That is most awesome my friend. Thank you for sharing your talents and skills.

[@MysteryMan159]

wow i have been totally looking for a video like this, simple, don't need any of that fancy crap like a lathe. good job!

[@doodlbug223]

I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't make a sound, so I took a piece of paper cut it to set snug in the groove and it worked good, I had the groove too deep! So now it makes good sound. I taped the bird in place and I am doing the other holes now. I thought I had ruined it! whew! I just have to get the tone right. I will listen to your video as I do each one to get it right.thanks for answering my questions so quickly!

[@Poetstream]

Great job, great attitude. Made me smile with pleasure and admiration. Your flute looks as good and real as it sounds. The scale reminds me of Charlie Mingus' tune "Good-bye Pork pie Hat"...

[@The1georgiegirl]

brilliant, informative video thankyou for sharing your skills

[@gmaent1]

I am extremely impressed with your talent. Thank you for sharing.

[@lstvphoto]

Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge. .

[@georgefrerichs3188]

loved your process. I just started looking at making flutes and your video was great and simple. thanks George

[@jodysueplant2690]

Wanting to give a flute as a gift, and fretting just a bit at how expensive they can be, it was then I really believe God told me to just make one...So, I did a search here and there you were~ Today, I've gathered some sumac, cherry and birch~ and I hope to make one tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to make and share your gifts. I'll probably watch your vid 10 more times, easy! I'm thinking I may use some other essential oils with the olive oil...

[@MrAfroSheen]

Great work, thanks for teaching your skills.

[@mryellow123]

AHHH hole size as well as position for tuning!!! As an ex-sax player, having played recorder at school, knowing some sound science and music theory, you'd think I'd have got that before now. Always thought it was experience and measurement.

[@UnkleSteve100]

Excellent. I watched the whole thing. I wouldnt have handled the kids, the cars, the dog, the train and the wind as good as you did. I bet you were glad to get the hell back home. I could never live in a city with all the noise chaos drowning out the natural sounds.

[@beepot2764]

Had to subscribe! You were cracking me up and I really learned something from this video. So thank you, great tutorial!

[@buskinginstratford]

I learned how to become a Flute maker from this very video, THANK YOU

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

You are very welcome

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

@TheTribeOfBenjamin traditionally these flutes are tuned to a penatonic minor...they are five or six hole flutes so the five holes are always penatonic minors...the six hole u can switch between a pnatonic minor and a penatonic major by switching which hole you keep covered...either the third hole (for the minor) or the 4th hole (for the major). I hope i explained that accurately

[@2293254za]

Thanks man for being so patient

[@mikehubbard5493]

Man, I love it. I gotta make me one. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. God Bless Ya.

[@tehpiratezorz]

Woops, nevermind I just looked through the comments and saw my own question asked and answered several times. Thanks for the awesome guide!

[@pryzmcat]

I just wanna tell ya..I love the info man...it's great that you are putting up this knowledge for folks to learn. Nice job on the flute and all the other lil projects and woodcraft techniques...right on cat:)!

[@jayfah1]

Great video, makes me want to run out and cut some sumac. I'll have to try this flute. Thank you for the in depth explanations and demonstrations. Linda

[@turtletracks7657]

Thanks for sharing your skill!

[@KKncva]

I have woods all around my place.. all hard wood: oak, elm, ash..maple.. Have always loved the Sumac..none near me.. Using one of these woods now.. Have a flute started...very hard wood...I see my Dremel in my future..sandpaper is helping..and my old wood-block printmaking tools...but they are not strong enough to get thru this wood I have split... still working..

[@greenjay8096]

I have this growing in my garden, have used it to make a pipe and smoked the leaves of the tree. Will attempt to make a flute next thanks.

[@ruby1018771]

The first bark startled me xD

[@jesusismysource1]

Thank you so much, I just love your videos. I have been making NAF from bamboo and pvc. I recently embarked on making a drone. There is not a whole of info out there so I just figure it out through trial and error (more error LOL) I too find my escape in playing and making them as well. Music is the very core of who I am, specifically NAF's. Funny while watching your video my head said "hmmmm I wonder if he is single?" so I go to leave this comment and the first comment I saw said the same LOL

[@ispixxxxx]

very nice working without eny machines. I like that. Happy tunes for you.

[@ronniecranfield1919]

Hey Joshua I watched your video it is very good.and I learned a lot that well help me thanks keep up the good work

[@kendorhys8916]

You got mad skills brother, thank you. Please, have peace.

[@missmarymiss]

Loved your video! Have now subcribed to your channel and I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the vids. Thanks!

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

yes sunflower stalks are pretty fragile...they crack easily...it takes a little work to get the disk sitting just right but its not too difficult...just dont apply much pressure or it will crack....and when your done cover the whole thing in varnish to give it strength

[@jeffreyteagle7016]

Great video, brother. I hope you do another one about the flute :)

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

completely solid....air doesnt go throught it it goes under the bird and over the sound hole

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

rivercane works great for flutes.....the nodes are pretty soft....you can just punch through them with a sharp stick but of course dont punch through the soundhole node...u need that wall there for the soundhole

[@Nikita4ever7000]

Also thank you for showing how to do this.

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

i have made many with the bark on...it works well as long as you sand it down near the holes

[@robmdq]

So many years has passed since this video went up, but i'm glad i've found it. I've always loved the sound of native american flutes, but I live in Argentina, so no way to get one here unless I import it (which is out of question right now) so I will try and follow what's shown here and make my own, see if am I able to make it so

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

the longer the flute the deeper the base...i love long flutes

[@XoshBitt]

Great video man.. love your patience. :) I'm going to have to attempt to make one. I love the sound. Keep at it!!!

[@MrPJ1320]

this was an awesome video!! I'm gonna try one of my own. thank you!

[@MrSupersexalicious69]

Your video reconfirmed that the way I discovered was the one that has worked the best so far....

[@Tenning]

Excellent video. Going into the woods to find some wood. The procedures in the first 17 minutes or so can be used to make a fine smoking pibe. Think the wood only needs to be a little thicker than the slim flute :)

[@machodeth4822]

amazing work, I like the primitive look of the flute and the sound is amazing. again you are a true artist of your craft. they must be expensive for so much work but I would like to know if you sell them? great vid, keep up the great work and much respect.

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

that depends on what wood your using and on how dry it is....if you try to split sumac for instance when its wet it will split out the side like that....however you can still use it....just go to the other end and split it again then carve it out like you would if there were only 2...only difference is now your gluing 3 pieces instead of 2

[@charlindabob]

Hello, an old dead stick to a beautiful sounding flute....great job! Wish you'd make me one, lol.

[@perlazam23]

take my hat off to you. wish to own one. From PHILIPPINES here

[@patrickrheaume9260]

Nice Video, minus the distractions, which I know did not make you happy. I'm a traditional wood worker meaning I use only hand tools, no power. I'm also a Musician/Singer/Songwriter. I've always loved the Native Flute, and watching your video has now inspired me to make one. The one thing I could see personally that would save you from buying a lot of sand paper as well as time is a spoke shave, nice little hand tool to shape wood. I'd like to make an offer to you. I'd gladly send you a spoke shave and a tuner for one of your flutes. I tune my instruments to the 435 semitones tuning being in perfect tuning as well as the Octaves. ~Peace

[@MrSupersexalicious69]

No problem, I verry much enjoyed learning more about making flutes, I am using a variety of Elderberry instead of Sumac & I am going for hallowed out/burned out versus splitting & glueing...I was having trouble getting the sound I wanted with other woods... Apparently I am carving the flue 2 deep & trying 2 use a flat fetish block is 2 difficult 2 get the flute & block cohesively flat with the little tools that I have...

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

ppl will always try to put someone down who is achieving their dreams when they cannot achieve their own dreams

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

im very impresses...your a natural

[@MiWilderness]

The last thing I want is someone destroying my peace. :) That flute is really cool, thanks for sharing.

[@flamefinger1989]

Man i want to thank you so so so much for this video

[@kdiopgh]

I'm on attempt 3 now at making my own flute. I can't get the gluing back together part right! Such a gear grinder but it's going to be a sweet victory when I get this. Cool video aqq welain

[@greeny3397]

Thank you so much for this - appreciated nice sound.

[@RoliDad]

Thanks for the video.I initially was going to buy one but have been trying to make one. Not sure how they play or anything so has been a pretty good project...I could go on and on but just want to say thanks for your vid.

[@jakescorpion1]

great man. Make it happen. I'm gonna make one this week. Thank you.

[@bearorder3173]

Thx for sharing the knowledge brother. I promise to try n make one soon

[@billyjoedenny]

excellent job joshua , great video brother... i think i have watched at least three times. ....bill

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

i would not be suprised at all if GOD led u to this video....HE is always leading me to brothers and sisters who choose to follow HIM...it is the ultimate purpose of my videos and this channel...connection to nature and to cycles ultimately leads to a connection with YHWH..feel free to ask ant questions along the way...either here or on facebook (i sent u a friends request)

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

wow...thats the best comment ive ever gotten...thank u so much

[@runningmoon2]

I am planning on making one of these this Summer. I love your videos (: You seem like an awesome person.

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

@MysteryMan159 that is the note you are trying to emphasize....thats the key to a good NA flute...you breath into it slowly....dont blow.....to increase the volume is kind of tricky....one thing you can do is slowly increase the size of the sound hole with sandpaper...very slowly....also you want everything to be extremely smooth in the sound hole area....so very fine sand paper helps alot.....let me know if this helps

[@fishindude72]

love the video thank you for sharing

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

i love the sound of cedar

[@WildPrimitiveSkills]

Awesome!!!...I think Hide glue was used more often than pine pitch but it does have a serious drawback. when hide glue gets wet is unglues. And we have water in our breath.i think there was a combination of tying and hide glue to keep it secure. This is just what i have heard so i am not positive but ill do a little more research and find out

[@antoniosneed50]

Great native america souls prayers beautiful !

[@wispaflutes]

Excellent hand crafting, resourceful and funny parts. btw, I make flutes for the same reason you said in this vid. ;)

[@Nancytoday]

I'll have to try this next!