Make Your Own Low E, Native American Backpack Flute for Under $3! Super Easy!

People are always asking me if I have a low tone backpacker flute available. The thing about lower tone flutes is that the lower the tone, the lager the flute. Well I have engineered a flute that is both lower in tone and able to fit in a bag or backpack.
In this video I will show you how to make your own PVC break-apart flute that is super easy. Made of PVC, this is a material that everyone has the ability to obtain at a low cost.
** I do not go into detail on the plug in this video! I have already covered this in several other videos. Here are a couple:
• How to make a Low Bass...
• Making a Carbon Fiber ...
• How to make a Flute fr...
• Which Track is Best fo...
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Don't forget to comment and be sure to keep it positive! Thanks for watching!

[@dunedainmom]

Thanks so very much! For the flute, and for that awesome idea to tell my kids they aren't allowed to say "can't" anymore 😄

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Excellent my friend! Thank you!

[@TheWingnut58]

When I was a kid and would say "I can't", my grandfather would always respond "can't never could".....I didn't really understand what he meant by that, so after he responded with that several times over the years, and I had gotten a little older, I decided to ask him.... He explained that as long as a person believes that they "can't", whatever in life it may be, they give up, stop trying and most certainly never will......"can't never could"

[@tonyhedgewolf]

My grandfather always said " there's no such word as can't "

[@DésVicktoria]

This would be a GREAT way to have a flute to keep in the car! I am afraid to keep any of my good wooden flutes in the car, as it can get so stinkin' hot in a vehicle here in no time.

[@robb4044]

You know what, thank you for that little but of insight into how you raised your children, It reminded me of what my grandmother used to say every time one of us said "I can't"; She would always say "can't never could do nothing, I tried and I done it". I miss her. Good on you and your wife.

[@safetydave720]

Just what I need. I made a tin whistle now I want to make this flute.

[@DésVicktoria]

Where did you find instructions to make your tin whistle, please?

[@ROY-COLLEY]

Hi Charlie, just one little thing I thought may have been very helpful is. If you were to hold, the tape measure along side them holes and zoom in on them. That way we could have frozen the vid and seen for ourselves. But as usual love your so helpful vid. Take care and may your God go with you. Roy

[@BlueBearFlutes]

There are always those what ifs and what should I have done after I make the video! 😁

[@colson8327]

I really want to try this and I have your book. It looks like my smaller female hands could play this flute!

[@mo2cents]

Osiyo, Thank you for sharing. Perfect project for my grandson and us to do together during spring break.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for your kind words and for watching! Don't forget I have hundreds of other videos on making Native American Flutes of all types!

[@harleyv1969]

I made this yesterday according to the instructions on the video. I love it, it sounds great for a first time flute. I feel like I might be addicted already I'm thinking wood now. 😁See what you did? Ha

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Too cool!!!

[@johnw65]

Love this video Charlie. Your kids are lucky to have a loving father who's a patient, teacher. I know I've learned a lot from your videos and am in my 70's... Thanks again

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Your words are inspiring my friend! I hope that I can live up to those excellent expectations! We do have a ton more videos coming out soon! (some tonight and tomorrow!)

[@TheTzr250]

Gracias tú eres un gran ser humano tremendo gracias por todas tus enseñanzas un abrazo desde Costa Rica

[@ronduff4325]

It's cool that you share your knowledge . You're a good heart .

[@BlueBearFlutes]

My friend, give me a call when you get a chance. It would be great to hear from you!

[@robertbagwell4116]

I have Cherokee running through my blood, love the process, it's very relaxing and hits my soul to the core....making my daughter anothern.....hey yall from georgia! Keep up the good work bro

[@CamJam312]

My job usually requires me to travel across the country and even out at sea or overseas in some cases, but I'm afraid of taking my good wood flutes with me for fear of breaking them during travel. Storage is also very tight, so I'll definitely be making one of these when I get back home. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheRoyalBavarian]

Thanks Charlie ! This is what I needed. If I get the hang of this then I'll be ready to purcase one of your flutes. I'll probably purchase one anyway. Iam too damn tempted

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😁

[@Dogatemyhomework927]

If you do decide to make them, I think it would be a good seller.. 👍🏽 I’ve seen videos that have quick and simple ways to make the plastic look like wood.. if you sold a whole “kit”, I’d buy some

[@Dogatemyhomework927]

Include the raw materials, a simple instruction sheet and let em fly

[@larzhillbot1443]

I am ready ...lets build : )

[@KalaniMusic]

Thanks for these instructions. Great tips from a pro builder.

[@ronaldjacobs8169]

Hi Charlie, This flute that you just made, I already made it 3 years ago by learning from you how to do this with Bamboo. The only thing is that I used PVC so that I can take the flute apart for my backpack, although I didn't use an elastic cord. You made this flute the way I make them, but I don't want to lie, that's why I better turn it around: I make my flutes like you made this one because I learned it from you, using a lot of movies where you showed how you make your whistles. I would like to thank you very much for that. Although I use a cork that is easy to replace as plug and valve. I make my flutes from PVC, but I choose the thick-walled pipe for that, because bamboo is also thick-walled and where I live there is nowhere to get bamboo and that does not grow anywhere. To drill the finger holes I use a thin drill bit after which I continue with narrow and widening flat screwdrivers. And for the windhole I use a drill and a small flat file. Instead of those flat screwdrivers I sometimes use scissors that I do not open during use, you can drill holes from small to large with them. I also make my Quenas in this way, also from PVC. People love to hear me play my PVC Native American flutes because they sound good and clean. My name is Chief Helping Dog Blackwolf Javanclaronaje Jerovanja make Rodinu White Dove. The name my mother gave me is Jacobs Ronald Felix, called Ronny, because this sounds easier to my bystanders. My descent caused my white Belgian father to kill my unborn brother while trying to kill my mother and me, my mother survived by running away from him with me in her arms, I owe my life to that too, but I did lose it my unborn brother, I was 16 months young at the time and I never got to know my father, I am also very happy because it is good not to know a murderer as a father. Now I know from my mother that I am a mixed-blood Apache, that I was born on the border with America-Mexico, through a Czech and a Native Apache who were guest workers and they traveled in covered wagons looking for work. When I was born, my parents lived in Belgium, where they still live, and yes, the murderer is still alive, but I don't know where and that's a good thing. Fortunately, after she ran away with me, my mother was taken in with me by a man who was 19 years older than my mother and who already had 3 sons, when my mother became pregnant by him and thus had a family with a new man and 5 children she herself was just 20 years old because when my mother dropped out of school because of her work she was 16 years old, when she married she was 17 years old when I was born my mother was 18 during the deliberate murder of my brother and the two attacks I was 16 months, when my half sister was born I was 2 years old and my mother 20 years and my half sister is 2 years younger than I am. My foster father was a good man, he died in 2008, God rest his soul I'm sure. In this way my compliments for everything you do for people, I would also like to thank you for that. persevere. Greetings from Belgium from Helping Dog Blackwolf. I am very happy and proud of my heritage. A'ho.

[@standswithfish]

Thanks Charlie! I made a simular one a few years ago but with thicker pipe. I used a flat drill to make the track rather than drilling all the way through. Your design looks simpler, will have to make one. By the way, I found a tape measure with metric and standard scales on it so I don't have to fuss with conversions. 👍

[@Tomb13]

Awesome! I wouldn't have thought of the elastic...very nice touch. 👍 😁 ✌

[@juliogonzalez9723]

Thank You😊

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@juliogonzalez9723 🙏🏼😊🙏🏼 You're welcome!

[@UnacknowledgedUnknown]

Very ingenious this low E backpackers flute. I thank you from the bottom of my "backpack" Charlie! I saw Jonny Lipford's flute review of 3 of your creations. Am a proud owner of one of your F# Eastern Red Cedar flutes. And hopefully will be adopting more in the near future. Thank you !

[@micahspruth-janssen3138]

Charlie you are a gift! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and talents

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you so much for your kind of generous words my friend!

[@micahspruth-janssen3138]

Your flute building videos got me through one of the toughest points in my life. I had a concussion and lost the ability to read for 4 months. Making flutes with you gave me purpose and healing in the midst of my despairing. I’ve wanted to tell you that for awhile, wa do uncle!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@micahspruth-janssen3138 thank you my friend! I can't share about my difficulties because I need to reflect positivity for everyone but I will tell you that your words help inspire me! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

[@micahspruth-janssen3138]

Thank you! Don’t forget you are not alone brother!

[@SellonSocial]

Thanks for sharing brother!

[@elijahwood3564]

I've been wanting a flute I can carry with me in a backpack thanks for making this (great video by the way love your Chanel)

[@victore2036]

Awesome....thank you

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@victore2036 🙏🏼😊🙏🏼

[@rockyfortner3110]

Very cool, thank you.

[@robertbagwell4116]

Awesome videos dude.....I've learned so much from you....made my daughter one for a school project, her teacher had a fit...everyone tryed to buy it from her

[@BlueBearFlutes]

😊😊😊😊

[@HealthCareProvder]

Very beautiful sound 👍😊 please guide me how can make it at home please share all measurement in dis flute 👍 thanks

[@stoneyrunva]

Excellent video. Some unique and interesting ideas. I've made a few dozen of these kinds of PVC flutes. You've likely made thousands from various materials. But, a couple of things I've found easier are to file a flat spot at the fipple area with two crossways rectangles going completely through the "flat spot" as opposed to the elongated single rectangle. That eliminates the need for the wood shim that can get soggy with extended play. It also reduces the breathy sound if that's desired. I also use wine bottle corks instead of wood dowels for the plug because the cork tends to react to moisture much better over longer periods of time. If the cork's diameter is too small I wrap it with tape until it fits inside snugly. If the cork is too large I "dremel" it down until it's a snug fit. The end result is a woodless and waterproof/maintenance free flute. I like using schedule 135 for the main body and schedule 40 pvc for the slip on sound hole cover. I notch out about a quarter of the diameter to make is easier to slip on. But rigid and sturdy enough to not move unless I force it. Lastly, because these can be totally waterproof instruments, I prefer not to add the expense and weight of being able to take it apart and keep it as one straight pipe that can be carried on the exterior of a pack if needed. Sounds nitpicky. But when backpacking every gram of weight is important. Thanks for sharing your talents and skills with everyone. The wood flutes you make are beautiful in both sound and appearance. Partially inspired by your videos, here's a short sample of one I made and backpacked with a couple of years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TEl6NjbN2IapY To get the "wood look" I use a coarse grain sandpaper and brown shoe polish. Then spray lightly with clearcoat.

[@youknowvin]

You never cease to impress and inspire me. I am retired and on a tight budget so I really appreciate all the technical help. You have really reduced the stress level by letting me know it is OK if measurements are not good to 3 decimal places. This is not a smart-aleck question but where did you run across 330VAC? There are definitely some strange systems around. I know that at late as 2000 you could get 2 phase power (90 degree shift) in Houston TX. My favorite is getting in the neutral path on a 277 light circuit.

[@kimnichols1169]

Awesome thank you so much, I bought your book and one of the burning tools I am very happy with the purchase

[@jbott57]

NICE VIDEO THANKS. LISTENED TO MY CROWN LANDS TAPE. WAS DIFFERENT BUT NOT BAD

[@BlueBearFlutes]

They have some new music coming out soon! Keep an eye out for it! I hope you and your family are doing well my friend!

[@Paula-133]

Fantastic!

[@Sheepdog1314]

excellent - thank you

[@kdus]

Just saying bravo and thanks again for another generous video, I'm not into PVC flutes but still got a couple new ideas from your video, plus the result sounds impressively well 👍 thanks for keeping doing these videos.

[@achillelalonde]

Much appreciated, and I would add I’m getting a great chuckle out of your relationship to what you do, and to yourself. Very generous of you to share that which you’ve learned; encouraging music to carry on.....in my opinion a most valuable resource. I’m thinking to offer a workshop in doing this project at the local schools this summer. Perhaps you might have some tips to share on making this viable and safe for kids. Also wondering if it might make sense to do a smaller diameter version for kids rather than this pitch? In gratitude 🙏

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I do have an upcoming video on making a much simpler PVC flute which might be best for the students.

[@peterbeaumont]

Not related to this video but wanted to check. Your opening and closing music, hopefully not copyright? I've done a poor rendition of it in my quest to try to learn to sound better 😉 Thanks for your great videos. Loving them

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I actually have a video for how to play it!

[@peterbeaumont]

Oh ... what is it called? I must find it 🙏

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@peterbeaumont kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3XZmYathJ56ncU

[@evojackson-filmmusiccompos2734]

Thank you so much!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to check out our hundreds of other videos!

[@evojackson-filmmusiccompos2734]

@@BlueBearFlutes I am watching your videos for 3 days already 👍😀

[@63phillip]

Going to rob some pvc from under my kitchen sink and make one. I hope my wife doesn't have to do dishes anytime soon as she might be getting wet.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Play the flute, it will make her happy!

[@jakefrye3827]

Now with bamboo flutes, can you use the popsicle stick trick instead of using a bamboo block?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You can make a block out of anything 🙂

[@idontlikeit.7822]

Fun stuff, salud

[@munchkin5674]

I wish that you could show a really close view of the sound hole slot so that we can see the 5/16” square hole, how long the rectangular slot is and exactly how big the wooden plug is and how it fits and is glued in. You said to use the thin walled PVC, so we need to see just how the wooden plug fits to create that air channel above the 5/16” square hole.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@munchkin5674 We have several other videos showing that so in an attempt to keep this video a little shorter, I mentioned that we have other videos on that. Here's one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poCXhZ2tiMuUhqc At about 20 minutes you can see how the track and plug are made.

[@JedBrad55]

I’m off to the hardware store.

[@graywoulf]

What would the total length of the tube be if it were one section only? This is a great sounding flute but I do not need a portable version. Thanks!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I thought you may ask this question. For this reason I had actually made consideration of it when I was putting the measurements for this flute into the video. You could either make the flute exactly as in the video and PVC cement all the links together making it kind of neat looking or just add the measurements together and cut that much PVC.

[@HealthCareProvder]

Love from India ❤️👌👍 Please share all the measurement in discription in easy way because I could not understand all the pieces measurement please please 👍

[@theguywitheyebrows]

ok, so translate this 'sound hole needs to be 5/16' to the bass A, and then what are the differences in measurements for the thicker pvc as ( i have been installing sprinklers systems professionally for over 20 years, i absolutely kno0w about the gauges of pvc and no one in my lil town sells the thinwall; i've been dealing with the same people that sell the same pvc for years and i have convinced them not to carry it because it makes repairs harder in-ground) thats all i can get hands on. eager to hear back, great video!! i'd take the measurements for thickwall this E and the Bass A here, gladly. thanks again!!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Basically, I would move all of the fingerings 1/8 to 1/4 inch away from the mouthpiece end of the flute. As with anything, there's always some experimentation needed.

[@theguywitheyebrows]

@@BlueBearFlutes thats a durn good start!! i'll keep tryin!

[@dominrael8658]

if you have a heat gun you could do the same thing without the couplers, just heat the end of the piece to go to the outside and the unheated end shove inside the heated end and it makes a single piece coupler after it cools, so no glueing. you could also make the track area so it gets covered by a heated end for the air chamber that could be custom made to have a long enough stretched out area that slides over the track, so no need for a second split piece to cover it with. altho you might want to wax the ends before sliding them into the heated pieces, this should act as a lubricant and a tad bit of extra spacing so they wont be so tight as to not want to come apart easily. if covering the track as i said you wouldnt be able to add the small wood piece in so you could at that point just use super glue and paper to build the track area up on top of the plug till you have the right depth.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I've also considered making this flute out of lawrencium but that too may take too many tools for regular people to use!

[@DésVicktoria]

How did you make the plug? Is it a piece of dowel? Would a cork work? Are there ways to convert the measurements for thinner pipes? Thank you SO very much for sharing this!

[@DésVicktoria]

Ah, just rewatched, and saw that you have all kinds of measurements in your book.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

If you check out a couple of other videos on my channel, I cover the track area and plug. Here's another pvc video from a couple of years ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/poCXhZ2tiMuUhqc At about 20 minutes you'll see how the track should be cut etc.

[@DésVicktoria]

Great, thank you so much!!! I'll go and check it out now!

[@toerebangin]

That was cool . Could you do it this with a nasal flute build too ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Where there is a will, there's a way!

[@toerebangin]

@@BlueBearFlutes awesome. I guess I can use my brain to make one haha How much do you charge to make a nasal flute out of wood ?

[@RsqSqr]

Subscribed

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Excellent! Please share!

[@geoffjohnson357]

Bonjour ..do you have the link of video to make the PLUG please .merci

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Here's another pvc build: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poCXhZ2tiMuUhqc Check at about 20 minutes.

[@geoffjohnson357]

Merci .i found thé part on plugs...i received your Book a few years ago ..havent even opened the sealed package yet ,as i have so much going on in life, i know if i do read it i havent yet thé Time to create one ...BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION ...i understand spacing is important from one hole to another .but if it is such a stretch on bass A ..WHY CANT THE HOLES BE OFF-SET ? to left or right for little little fingers to bé less a stretch !? Has it ever been triéd to offset to ease playing thé notes ? Merveilleux journée a vous

[@geoffjohnson357]

Merci .i found thé part on plugs...i received your Book a few years ago ..havent even opened the sealed package yet ,as i have so much going on in life, i know if i do read it i havent yet thé Time to create one ...BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION ...i understand spacing is important from one hole to another .but if it is such a stretch on bass A ..WHY CANT THE HOLES BE OFF-SET ? to left or right for little little fingers to bé less a stretch !? Has it ever been triéd to offset to ease playing thé notes ? Merveilleux journée a vous

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@geoffjohnson357 that's a great question. The fingerings can be moved left and right however unfortunately the up-and-down part has to be the same. This unfortunately does not allow much in the way of shortening any distances. Having said that, if you check out my low contra bass PVC flute video, you can see that there are some other constructive ways to move the fingerings!

[@marciomac4631]

Show

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Really

[@jakefrye3827]

You said your kids weren't allowed to say can't. My girlfriend had 3 kids. A son about to be 15, a 10 year old daughter and an 11 year old daughter. Every time they say can't, I say can't yet. Soon as you say can't you put that mental wall up.

[@CJsRC]

Anybody else finding schedule 20 1" pvc pipe to be non-existent?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

The problem is, people at the hardware store do not call it schedule 20 any longer (As I mentioned in the video). You may need to ask for irrigation tubing.

[@CJsRC]

@@BlueBearFlutes These hardware people around here can't even get rigid irrigation tubing, LOL. I did find clear polycarbonate tubing online though. I wonder how copper pipe would sound?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@CJsRC not the best unfortunately. Of course that is a matter of opinion. Do you have a lowes or homedepot? They have it...

[@OurDee]

Can't means I won't try.

[@aetheralmeowstic2392]

People want low-tone Native American flutes because they have a more spiritual sound to them, if that makes any sense.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

After 36 years of research, I find that it's because of what they heard in the Cowboys and Indians movies. Please check out my other videos for more information.

[@agoogleuser3787]

You should add the word "EVENTUALLY" to all your videos...also, itvwould be helpful for many, if you included your material lists in the description. Not rocket surgery, I know....but you have a lot of filler content, which is fine. Just my rambling thoughts...(Squirrel!!)