How to make a Native American Flute in F#

In this second video in the series, Making Native American Flutes in Keys, we show you how to make a Native American flute from western cedar and tune it to F#. You can purchase our book "The Art of Native American Flute Making" by visiting us at www.bluebearflutes.com Thanks for watching and remember to subscribe for updates on the latest videos on Making and Playing Native American Flutes!

[@tomboese367]

Yes, you are an excellent craftsman, but you are a great teacher as well. I really appreciate that your instructions!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

🙏🙂🙏 Thank you for your kind words!

[@RedfishCarolina]

Fellow Southeastern region woodworker here. I love how efficient you are here. I've neither made, nor played, a musical instrument in my life (well, I've turned drumsticks on the lathe). But I think I'm going to give this a shot!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Excellent!

[@harabanar7827]

Dear Charlie I love your videos, after watching I feel inspired to try and make a flute myself!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You can do it but be careful if you use any power tools!

[@harabanar7827]

@@BlueBearFlutes Thanks Charlie! That is sound advice. To be honest I have very little experience with d.i.y. projects, and I'm also not very musically versed. But I did order some bits and pieces, and I will give it a go. I decided to start with a bamboo flute, as that seems a bit easier easier than proper woodworking. Though the bamboo I got delivered has an inside diameter of slightly over one inch, so I don't know if that will work out, as it might be a bit too big. At least it will be a nice opportunity to start practicing the basics.

[@harabanar7827]

@@BlueBearFlutes Thank you once again Charlie. I've "successfully" made my first flute from bamboo now, and while it certainly has some errors, it still plays pretty decently. I'm working on a second flute now keeping in mind the lessons learned. The aim for the future is to eventually make a flute made of wood.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@harabanar7827 Great! Keep it up!

[@wade4452]

This has been so very helpful. I've made 2 flutes and one in process of paduk wood now. The first was a river cane Japanese side play and it came out perfect. The next a f# and also beautiful and perfect. Beginner's luck I guess. But thank you so very much for all you teach.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Glad to help!

[@oOReboOo]

I choked a piece of wood on my saw table back in September. Long story short. The saw blade turned the top of my right thumb (just above the first joint) into mince meat inside of the saw, wasn't fun cleaning that out. I am now just about able to write and grip things again, but I do feel lucky as I know it could have been a hell of a lot worse than just losing an inch off my thumb.Charlie speaks the truth when he talks about tool safety!There is something very satisfying about watching a simple plank being turned into a beautiful flute that will give years of pleasure to its owner. Great video again guys!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+oOReboOo Thanks!

[@joelb2297]

wow, -so sorry so read of your mishap with the tablesaw... :-(

[@daltonvickers7977]

As usual, a really great video. Love to watch you build the flutes and listen to you play them. Thanks for the video

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+dalton vickers Thanks again Dalton.

[@olgwoodart4996]

Charlie, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Made my first flute this weekend. Love it. I'll be making "my" flute this weekend based on the knowledge I garnered on this first run. It will be in F#.

[@davidblack4379]

Well done again, that was great. Thank you Charlie.

[@armytrpt1979]

brilliant video. I am sure I'll watch this many more times.

[@RustyGunn7]

Thank you Charlie. I enjoyed this video.

[@MikeWareoffthebeatenpath]

I have watched 7 to 10 of your videos and I have learned quiet a bit of useful knowledge. Not just about flute making. I appreciate your time and efforts you put into helping others. I just bought your book and will enjoy it. I am sure. I sent a message about signing as well. No big deal if you do not have them in your possession. Who knows one day I may see you and get it done then... ATB Mike

[@322doug]

awesome man, thanks for sharing!

[@martinalvarado1544]

Hi Charlie I will like to thank you for all the videos that you have made!!! for the public I enjoyed watching every one of them. keep up the good work many blessings to you.... and I thank everybody else for sharing they're good ideas also with us on their comments......

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Martin Alvarado Thanks Martin. I appreciate your comment and for watching my videos.

[@cmykready5727]

amazing amount of knowledge you drop, man. Thank you very much. Every time you use you large sander, I wonder how much knuckle you've left on that throughout the years lol

[@sparkyprojects]

A tip for adjusting the height of the router is to make a U shape block that straddles the hole, the depth of the recess is made to the depth you want to set the router ;)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Sparky Projects Great Idea. Thanks for watching!

[@tontakely]

Fantastic video series. I love them! I don't know if you are taking requests (please understand that I get how time-consuming these videos can be to make, and I whole-heartedly appreciate all the effort you put in) but I have been dying to learn how to make, specifically, an 11 inch 3/4 inch across forest flute in G minor. If you could do a video of this, or even let me know if your book carries those specific schematics, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

[@trmwyldshade1482]

That's "Rocket Surgeon"... :) Thank you for another great video.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

Awesome awesome... my nicest router bit is 3/4 but I want a 7/8 for F#. I thought if I fudged it, that my hole at the foot end would look oblong and not be truly circular. Thanks for making me see that's not necessarily so as long as I take care of both dimensions properly. Wow. I already cut off the tip of my forefinger making a banjo bridge. So I'm once bitten twice shy and should be good to go, God willing. Thanks again!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Be careful! Watch those fingers.

[@tomcartmill3456]

Thanks Charlie, more questions I didn't realise I had and you answered them. The frost on your breath in the first part of the video made me feel great here at 81f (27c). You said something about tone changes from the oil, what else will change the tone? Thanks Tom

[@AlvinHanson1708]

Without a drill I have a hand portable drill. I have a plainer. I will try drill note and sound area before gluing. A little intimided, to have a offset sound track. I wil try, I'm using two wood blocks attatched to table to hold flute to drill and file a flat area for sound track. Thats difficult to achieve. Then now breaking out my first burning tools from 3 months ago to look closer at. With new sand paper belt on a floor sander turned upward. After many days and undevided attention I achieved a good sound with half note working. Iv'e been carving and sanding with files and x-zacto, but takes a few hours to not lose the devider point.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You can certainly do it! Back when I first started making flutes, I did not have any tools other than ones I built. My favorite sander was a disc that I rigged onto a mantle on the side of a washing machine motor. I turned out lots of flutes with that! :)

[@Redarkrome]

Hi Charlie, I love so much your videos on youtube and I ave a question? I did not understand if the sunflower oil (which you put into the flutes) is raw or cooked. Can you explain this better? Thanks and nice day!

[@olvimend]

HI Charlie. Can you make a f# from a branch with a very rustic looking? 1 inch bore and wet out protection.? Thanks.

[@robertcornelius3514]

It appears on your final tuning with the hot rod, that you are actually plunging down at a slight angle. Yes?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Not necessarily... please watch a few of my other tuning videos.

[@rickgibson72]

Hi Charlie. Sorry what was the overall length from the sound hole? Also mine is over blowing would this be the track area? Thanks in advance

[@terrytwobears5945]

i have something to ask how hard would it be to take a barsuri flute and turn it in to a native american flute can you let me know pleases and thank you terry twobears

[@keithchapman902]

Wiley Coyote 🙏

[@BlueBearFlutes]

✌️ Wiley

[@jannitert6576]

Hello from Holland 🌷🌷 your most detailed information inspired me to try to make a flute in F# . Many thanks for sharing . I have a question ; is it possible to play this flute in the overblown higher section , so 8va? Many regards from us, Jan

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hallo mijn vriend! Typically there is 1 1/2 octaves with this flute. I have other videos about this if you need. Thanks for watching!

[@jannitert6576]

@@BlueBearFlutes Ooh, thanks for this information. Please, if possible I would like these other video,s about 1,5 octaves. Next year I sing in concert in where a flute in F# have a solo. What beautiful that I can use and play with my own self made flute….. yes? And now… let,s try. Greetings from us , Jan

[@NigelRamses]

When you send it through the planer, do you plane each face, or just the sides? Does the dried glue cause any problems?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Each face until it's square. Dried glue doesn't cause any problems.

[@annhensley1636]

Do you sell these?

[@koltonprewitt2780]

So I just got into Native American flutes, but why do you put that peice on top of the flute??

[@AlvinHanson1708]

What is the book called? What site is best to order or reseatch the books you have on the market, so far? It's,true, a book would be a great purcuase and gift. Thanks.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Sorry A H, I haven't watched this video in a while. If the book you are asking about is my book on Native American flute making it is available on my website. There are only two other books I usually ever mention on our videos but that would be a good start.

[@322doug]

does your book, show how to make the steel rods you use to do the burnings?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

There are no specific measurements for making the tools in the book, however I do refer back to different size tools we use throughout the book with specifics. I do have a video on making a track tool: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoe1Z2Wpi9GhnqM

[@GreenShiva-Lightfoot]

Forgive me, I had to watch this vid in shifts! Master Sagan, tis true. And yes, weather in the south...a funny twist on a popular saying I like to use, that I can't take credit for, regarding the weather down here: " you know what they say about Alabama, if you don't like the weather...go back to wherever the hell you came from!" LoLz

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Profane James Thanks for watching James, it is a long video. We try to keep the time down, but sometimes it takes a little more time to show the process.

[@GreenShiva-Lightfoot]

Hope the weather was kind to you!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Profane James Thank you. We are fine, with the weather. Now the whole family has the flu.

[@GreenShiva-Lightfoot]

+BlueBearFlutes aw naw! We just recovered from myself infecting the whole family with a cold - take it easy, keep from getting sicker

[@GrootsieTheDog]

What is the length of your f#? Are your cedar flutes of comparable quality and sound to High Spirits flutes? I own one of theirs and it's excellent but thought I would try your flutes out because the price is a bit lower. Thanks.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hi Cosmo, I don't ever compare my work to other flute makers' and other flute makers should never compare themselves to mine. What I offer are as close to original flutes as possible. I use modern tools, however my methods are in keeping with tradition and the old ways of flute making. Also, because I want everyone to be able to play, I make mine as affordable as possible. Thank you for your consideration.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

+BlueBearFlutes Thanks. I wouldn’t ask you to compare but rather i was seeking information on quality of woods, craftsmanship and was wondering if your flutes are of that level as those are the only flutes i have played. Ciao.

[@crestonsimpson1370]

what kind of oil do you use? is it linseed oil?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Sunflower mixed with tea tree and peppermint. The Tea tree keeps bacteria away and the peppermint repels bugs, especially spiders that may want to hide in closed mouthpieces or the body of the flute.

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

liked that very much have you ever thought of teaching a class

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+ClydeMelissa Darrow Glad you liked it. I have taught classes before and have thought about doing it again.

[@clydemelissadarrow7947]

+BlueBearFlutes you would be a great teacher

[@susanbailey36]

I still say " you're not holding your mouth right." It's a "momisim" in our family.

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

Love the vids :D can you do a C one next? (a high C preferably, Im aiming to make a bamboo pipe similar in pitch to the pennywhistle/flute used for the Lord of the Rings theme song "Concerning Hobbits" )

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Yep. Concerning Hobbits was the first song my youngest son learned to play on his own when he was about 5.

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

nice :D thanks

[@cre8tivesolutions]

name of your book, please.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

The Art of Native American Flute Making

[@johnsimfukwe2132]

nothing much is said concerning the single hole at the bottom of the flute

[@BlueBearFlutes]

When in doubt, I usually already have a video about that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aITLnISklrqIask&si=OrXHnRet9Q5YfJbf

[@kristopherdetar4346]

10,000 flutes in one year ? That’s a lot of profit, so your still working in a tiny shed ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

So how much profit is it? If you'd watched enough of my videos, you would notice that I don't intend on taking advantage of people like so many other flute makers "may". 20 years ago when I destroyed the flute market on eBay, it wasn't because I was selling flutes for 2 and $3,000 each like everyone else was! Feel free to contact my competition, they all hate me!

[@RedfishCarolina]

He's able to do that specifically because of that tiny shed. I'm a cabinetmaker that have seen my own shop go from 1800 square feet w/two men to over 24,000 square feet and 30 employees. And, still even today we cannot build as many cabinets per employee as we did back as a 2 man shop. There's tremendous value to minimizing your travel time and wasted motion. As a woodworker I can tell his shop is dialed in specifically for production of these flutes. Notice that he never once goes walking around looking for something or trips over unnecessary clutter. My man has his shed tuned even better than these flutes he's making.