The secret to making Native American Flutes

This video will give you details about the miscellaneous little tweaks of making a Native American flute. Visit us on the web at www.bluebearflu...

[@naturewhisperer5272]

this is my first time gonna be trying to build my own flute :)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Let me know how they turned out!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Chris Bond, we sell flutes on our website at www.bluebearflutes.com

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Double0 Destro - We do have a couple of videos on that subject! Let me know if you can't find them and I'll post the links :) Thanks for watching!

[@skipmackenna7057]

Hi Charlie, I have made 2 of the 5 hole flutes with the air supply plate that work pretty well, although not tuned to your obvious abilities. They do play. I have made 5 of the 4 hole Cherokee flutes, but cannot get the air supply plug formed or set to get any sound. I will keep trying. I do have pictures. Thanks for posting these videos. I watched 5 of your videos which really pointed out details that helped make the 5 hole flutes. I just wanted to thank you for being the keeper of this knowledge, and passing it along.

[@joelb2297]

I've been learning how to make playable Native American-style and 'penny whistle'-type flutes for some months now, -still learning much. Mostly I have been working with PVC pipes for budget reasons, -still getting good results. Recently I became interested in 'branch flutes' and from the videos I've seen, have envisioned my own methods to achieve my own using exotic wood. Your videos have gone a long way to teach, inspire and yes, entertain. I spend many minutes every day watching and re-watching videos such as yours, gaining insight every time I return...

[@Landotter1]

Very well done, voicing that flute. I have made a few of the bamboo flutes but it is a real pain in the backside. Glad you have a good process down and was glad to hear what it sounded like. Sounds just dandy.

[@johnhutchinson5398]

I just watched a video with you and my cuz Billy Whitefox. The making of an alligator leg bone. Great video. I’ve always knew we had Choctaw Indian in us until Billy did some background work and found out we also have Creek in our veins. I’ve always wondered why I was always interested in making traditional native flutes. I’ve recently started making flutes and I’m glad I did. I love wood working to begin with. I’ve just finished a log bed for my home. Now I have a low A flute outa bamboo and thanks to your videos it turned out pretty good for my first flute. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve built some of your burning tools which comes really handy. Thanks again for the great information.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you for watching John! We have a lot of new videos coming out that I know you will love. Be sure to subscribe. Also tell Billy I said hi!

[@kiorsoundhealing9683]

You are such a master! I’m learning so much from your videos. Your humbleness and dedication in sharing is remarkable. I just ordered your book. Thank you so much for the inspiration brother. Much love from Portugal. ❤️

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Obrigado meu amigo. Estou estudando português há algum tempo. Visitarei Portugal assim que estiver mais proficiente! Obrigado por assistir!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks for your question. Though my greek is a little rusty and I don't join and 'flute groups' I believe you are asking about the true sound hole. To give you an idea of how thick I make mine, the terminology I have always used to call that area is the 'knife edge'. Honestly on 99% of our flutes, that area is as thin as a razor blade.

[@JGallo-pm5dq]

Thanks Charlie for sharing this awesome video

[@ericpedroza8474]

I like the way you explain it grate video

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thonks! Be sure to check out my other videos!

[@paulphillips5304]

very good videos charlie I'm starting one thanks for the info

[@craftinganewworld1674]

This was great help! Thank-you!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

doing it the math way can be fun, but I have an "old-school" way that I think may make sense to everyone. it kinda reminds me of how herbal extracts contained within medications sometimes lead to side effects that simply taking the original plant or mineral wouldn't have... :) not to mention, but what self-respecting people would drill a 6th hole and not ever use it? more explanation of this in our upcoming video on the subject.

[@serulingnusantaraubex4922]

terimakasih tuan....mudah mudahan kita bisa berbagi ilmu tentang alat tiup..

[@bernardmillerjr.1487]

I always wondered how a flute worked. Thanks Charlie.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

And there are so many types of flutes too!

[@AndyMangele]

A fine video - I guess I'll have to check out your other stuff too! ;)

[@Fifita2012]

Hi i just cut some bamboo but i kind a nervous i don t know where start making the holes and measurement I am watching your videos which really helping me out calm down cause i am so excited start making native american flutes :-D will share my playing on them as i make one I play instruments my dad was bamboo flute musician :) Thank you for sharing!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Fati! I hope you are still making flutes. I'm looking forward to seeing them!

[@TabahArts]

Thanks brother

[@zzausel]

The air column can swing without any vibration of the knife edge. Some shakuhachis even got massive iron knife edges for preventing this kind of vibration.

[@stevedozier1054]

Good video again charlie

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Jack! Thanks for your interest in our flutes! The one playing on my videos is a "key of D" western cedar flute. I really like western cedar flutes, they have a very mellow sound. If you are interested in one please feel free to contact me from my website bluebearflutes·com

[@pointvantage8896]

Wow...thank you so much.

[@marsseeker6208]

one more question, wil the lowest note be in D, G , D flat etc. depends on....... ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Absolutely! We have a website that will give you some examples of the flutes we offer. Please check us out at bluebearflutes com

[@Arty014]

i made my first flute and it sounds too low. It makes sonud but it's almost inaudible, why it's happening?? is there a way to make it louder without changing its "tunning"??

[@Arty014]

and it overblows really easly too btw.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

sometimes thinness may not be so much the key as direction and in our flute's cases what "path the air has been on"... that is to say we make tracks that are usually 1" to 1.5" long compared to the many flute makers who send the air screaming down a .25" long channel. one thing that you might appreciate that we like to do to our flutes' air channel is buff it lightly with super fine steel wool - it seems to do wonders! Thanks again for messaging~ :)

[@serulingnusantaraubex4922]

aku senang melihat karya anda bisa kita kerja sama ...tuan...saya pengrajin alat tiup indonesia

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+seruling nusantara Ubex Terima kasih, saya akan senang untuk mengunjungi Indonesia beberapa waktu.

[@tamahtala4053]

Another question. The finger holes. I see you did five, is there a reason? I think I need to watch more of your videos.

[@ianbruce6515]

Hi, I've made six wooden flutes with the aid of your book and videos and a couple of bamboo flutes. they all play well. I noticed that the block on on bamboo flutes is often semi-permanently installed--presumably because the mouth end of the flute is open and dries out easily without removing the block. is there any advantage to the narrow opening into the slow air chamber that wooden flutes have? I find that blowing the open end of the bamboo flute very natural and comfortable. I'm tempted to make my wooden flutes with the same full bore opening. would I be losing something in performance?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Excellent!!

[@chrisbinkley7025]

Id like to buy one

[@tomasovic6182]

this is first blue bear arts video I saw, and how I found out about blue bear flutes. which I bought two of, a river cane and sawgrass. the river cane turned out to be most useable outdoors and is on majority of videos I have made of me playing on flute walks.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very good! Thank you.

[@JacquieD143]

Love the sound of this flute! Could I make this with bamboo? What is the black piece inside the track? Is that something you put in yourself or part of the wood inside? Sorry I am just starting out with this. This is all new to me.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

All good questions! I have tons more videos to answer them! Please share/like/subscribe!

[@roybrandow]

Thanks, Charlie.

[@bestestinventions7032]

thank you! very helpful information!

[@newawakenings17]

Awesome

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks so much!

[@aprilm.wemigwans-mezimegwa541]

I guess it matters what end the angle is on the air valve? My first one my first attempt my angle is on opposite end. I need more focused attention on air valve. What about the mouth piece does it matter the size of that matter. I’m just think of the common flutes from school have a small entry for air to go in

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Absolutely! One of our recent videos shows me using a "sapling" and a dowel could easily be used as well. I will have an upcoming video on making flutes of miscellaneous materials.

[@IronDragonGroup]

Good video but how do you make the actual piece for the channel? I have not found a single video that explains that piece.

[@23comoto]

I love you! Thank you!

[@robertfairbanks1581]

You said you use a fortsner (sp) bit to smooth/level the wood from the sound hole to the slow air chamber. How can that be? Fortsner bit has a centering bit that extends below the leveling part of the bit. It seems you would have narrow slit down the middle. Advise.

[@mardoomgia]

it is realy great . . Can you teach us ! How to Make a 6 hole bass Native Flute ! Not only inches cm sizes . . thanks

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hello and thanks for your comment and request. I think I would like to do a video on Bass Flutes. Please subscribe as we have a lot of new videos coming in the New Year!

[@user-fc1nq1je9x]

I don't understand what's inside the flute. That black part is it solid all the way thru..how did you get it inside and what is it ? Please explain.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

That's a great question! You'll see that in countless other videos of mine.

[@user-ri4og4lg5y]

I'm from Michigan what's a good wood. Cherry tree, maple ,oak, willow ?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

To be honest with you, good wood and ideal would maybe in the eyes of the beholder. In your area, there may be woods that historically were used however typically most native people did not use hardwoods in their hardwood form. In my experience, woods like Maple would only have been used as a sapling. Otherwise, I'd recommend the willow since it is going to be the easiest to carve!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

with a small piece of super 0000 fine steel wool in hand, rub it back and forth on the air channel/track area. this could be referred to as the sprinkles on the icing on the cake. it's that extra 5% that gives it a little smoother and less frictional area for the air to travel through. even if I wax the channel, I still prefer wool first. by using it, it is stripping away micro-fine frictional particles that would normally slow the air down slightly. I'll probably show it in an upcoming video;).

[@jamesapatterson]

HI Charlie! First off id like to say thank you for your gift to mankind by teaching people your craft without the need of compensation, that is the mark of a great teacher and human being. In 2005 I bought my very first flute from you, a river cane flute with a beautiful voice. Honestly that flute saved my life as I have been struggling with depression most my life, and that flute is magical in its ability to make me happy, and has lead me to flute making which had brought me much happiness.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Pretty much open. I say that because some are almost closed, but usually for tuning purposes. If this type of flute was closed on the end, most of the notes will not sound correctly. :)

[@robertb3595]

whats the difference between 5 and 6 hole flutes?

[@ChadHClifford]

thank-you for the video!

[@roseericson3828]

Here is what I find interesting about the way you are shaping your channels. Wind speeds up when it goes around a corner. (If it didn't it would make a vacuume) so by curving the end of your channel by the air chamber it actually speeds up your air going over your sound hole with having to blow harder. I think that's fabulous.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

that's a good question and although I wish I could give a better analogy it's probably best said that it helps to direct the air more evenly at at target. The difference between using a rifle and a shotgun.

[@sherryb9770]

Yours is the first flute I've seen of river cane. It is so cool to be able to see how you used the natural node in the cane for the wall between chambers, just like the ancient Indian flutes. Wow.

[@sergematis8309]

Очень хорошее видео, вы хорошо рассказываете про то, как делать свистковую часть, очень жаль, что нет русского перевода. Хотелось бы лучше понимать, какое правильное расположение ножа и воздуховода должно быть для хорошего звука.. Спасибо

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Мне жаль. У меня не было перевода на русский язык. Возможно, однажды! Спасибо за просмотр, мой друг. “Без труда не вытащить и рыбки из пруда”

[@ripped4sure]

Does the end of the flute have to have a hole in it or can it be sealed it still plays when it's sealed

[@robertkimbley3603]

So there is a physical block between to sound holes??..an how do u put that in??

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Absolutely! Also, we have hundreds of videos on the subject! kzbin.info

[@leviheasley7147]

Followed this video and thinking I might be missing a part…. Mine makes no noise is there a trick to that part that makes it?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey my friend, don't give up. There is absolutely a trick to it. That is why I made this video. I do have hundreds of other videos on making native american flutes and of course I could look at yours and tell you what is going on however it may save us both a moment if you wanted to check out any of my other videos. I will tell you however most people rely on this one for its purpose.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

kzbin.info/aero/PLxvuaavLB7xU2-zund-fL0wPbXCGrq-B3&si=S4sX6VyNiV0FnG9A

[@Roncace]

mine is currently 1/32" and it still tends to break to the high octave easily

[@CletusandWalter]

Can you use a wooden dowel to make a flute?

[@robertbotello1817]

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO PUT THE FINGER HOLES?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Lots of practice! I have other videos on that as well as a book "The Art Of Native American Flute Making" that I've written about it! bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making

[@JB-ti7bl]

I'm trying to figure out how he's blowing into what seems like a large radius hole. You don't put your lips over the end like a recorder, obviously. So, what then? Approach like a tuba mouthpiece without the buzzing lips?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

He has a video about that

[@christopherclements7431]

This vid was helpful thanks for posting. Have been teaching myself to make flutes, but found the windways to be a bit confusing and this helped. Was a little obsessed about how deep to make the channel, angles and shape of holes etc etc. Seems by what you said there isn't really a ''right'' way ..thats kinda nice. been a little frustrated. My main goal is to make native norwegian flutes(where I live) they are made different( like your cherokee 4 hole whistle) but I can''t get it to sound..yet :) anywho thanks again for your vids, really invaluable

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks Christopher. There are a few other videos that may help you out so please be sure to check them out.

[@jannepotter509]

Tried a narrow bamboo flute. Went through the steps but didnt work. I reviewed this video. It seems the distance between the holes is not so important but it seems the level ( height) of the channel must be made so the incoming air flow bisects the distal edge of the far hole. Please advise if this is the case. Thus the channel depth will vary depending on the height of the trailing edge of the far hole. Also does one use 1/4 inch finger holes even if the flute is only 5/8 inch diameter? Hoping you will reply. Thank you.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Yes and yes. 🙂 oh, and enlarge the holes as necessary to bring in tune. (check out some of our tuning videos)

[@CletusandWalter]

Thanks!

[@jonasdubaere59]

I once bought a flute low D in 432hz, the pitch is too low to play toghether with other instruments. Would i able to get the pitch to 440hz on every note by cutting a piece of the end of the flute? It's just an idea i'm not a pro. please help if you can :) Thanks a lot

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Yes, but just trim it. Little bit at a time until you reach what you are looking for. Just 1/4-3/8" should do it.

[@jonasdubaere59]

alright thank you very much for helping :) great job keep rolling :)

[@AngeloBracht]

My flute has low air pressure. The volume is kind of low and after playing for like 5 minutes the moisture avoid me to keep playing, even if I blow the humidity off the flute. Any tips to increase the air pressure?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I do have a few other videos on that however I imagine this must be a flute that you made? If so, please send a picture of the track area through my website.

[@AngeloBracht]

@@BlueBearFlutes Nice! I will send you!

[@wildernessseagull1438]

new subscriber!!! cherokee indian with roots in racine west virginia indian creek. if anyone has any pictures or info of the area id appreciate it

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey James, I know what you mean about getting the top notes right! Especially when we're making some smaller than normal flutes! We will be posting a video about tuning specifically in just a day or so. It will be from simple to extravagant and will even include some info about the old flutes that all of this started from! There are some very simple tricks to help resolve tuning issues on those 2 top holes that I use, and you may be shocked. Please feel free to message from our website, too. :)

[@americanhottopics7373]

Does it matter how long the mouthpiece is and if so does it effect the overall sound quality?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

It doesn't affect it much at all. It only adds a small bit of density for vibrations to absorb through which most people could not even here! Nearly the same thing could be accomplished by tying pieces of wood to the outside of the flute as well. The change would be similar to the effect of hanging a picture in an otherwise barren room to change its acoustics.

[@gmisltr]

where do I get the bamboo ?

[@POVMTB1]

do you have video, or where can i find information where to drill the finger holes, also what is minimum length can be of the NAF?, ive made flute i think it was to short also i made few critical mistakes just it become fancy fire wood hahaha now just gathering more information

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I do have quite a few videos on where to place the fingerings, I have a book for sale with all of that information in standard and metric measurements and and making a new video on that right now! Thanks for watching, please check out my channel and subscribe for more videos to come!

[@POVMTB1]

Gonna do some digging in your yt channel then, thank you for making these videos

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@POVMTB1 We do have hundreds of videos on making and playing the flute! Thanks again for watching and sharing!

[@ChrisKingsChannel]

Thanks for all the good work you do Charlie! Every once in a while I end up making a flute that breaks into the next octave on the top/highest note. I can’t figure out why this happens as I make them the same way as all the others. Do you know what went wrong? Could it be something to do with the sound hole? Thank you for your insight.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Hey Chris, thank you! Absolutely something to do with the sound hole. I'm actually about to do a video on that.

[@ChrisKingsChannel]

Thank you! I would so appreciate it. It’s been a big frustration as I can’t figure out why it’s happening.

[@cukedaddy]

Hi Chris...I found a 6 hole flute and it doesn't have a block...I know nothing about flutes and thout I'd ask you...it has D L O'Neal signnature burned into it, I assume it's the maker...under that is the letter A, which I assume is the key...Anyway, is there any special block needed or just one that fits in the track...unlike yours, it isn't flat on top...Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Mark Gray Hi Mark, it does sound like it is the maker based on your description. If you could please contact me via facebook (facebook.com/bluebear.arts) or my website so I can see a picture of the flute and from there I can tell you what type of block you would need? Thanks for watching!

[@KarenmitchellANI]

Hi. Your flutes on the site. You have flutes made using different woods. Does this make any difference to the sound?

[@23comoto]

Yes. Harder wood will have a brighter, higher sound as it absorbs less vibrations but rather reflects them preserving more of the overtones of the note being played. In contrast, softer wood absorbs more of the overtones yet leaves the undertones resulting in a more mellow, lower, almost flat sounding note. Many will recommend a harder wood for lower flutes such as a mid range e(4) through a low b(3) (or lower) and softer woods for a higher flute so that it's not too high and chirpy; however, it is entirely a matter of preference as one may enjoy the soothing calm of a soft bass flute or the cheery chirp of a high flute. I would recommend trying to hear this difference by looking up different videos, but I personally prefer a harder wood for any key to preserve the balance of the notes.

[@supercraftchris5568]

is there any way I could buy one

[@orionmoreno7250]

Capitalism am I right?

[@lindabroyles4505]

Can these be made with bamboo? Awesome video...thanks for sharing!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

+Linda Broyles Yes! Check out my video on working with cane for tips on how to prepare it for flute making: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXawkpumoamFfbc

[@jonathantue3029]

hello there. i have been playing an inexpensive native flute for awhile now. I have been watching your youtube and learning from you for a while now. but am in the market for a better quality flue. i want a deeper sounding flute.( sorry but i am self taught and never learned the notes.) what would you recommend or charge for a nice one of yous. I want to play traditional native music but mine is too high pitched. thx for your time and you tube vids, thax again

[@PasqualeGalasso]

love

[@thomasubi8100]

Do you have a video on how to make a Native American F# Double flute ?

[@Ybw200owns]

so does the distance of the sac, mouth to the block, matter?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Only to me ;)

[@JFSFLICKS]

Very good INFO. Thanks for your time and effort. Here is a little "tip" to pay you back --- Use a bean-bag to hold your camera on the dashboard of your car and do your videos inside with the windows rolled up. It fixes a bunch of stuff all at once, Lighting is better, Sound is better, Outside noise at a minimum. Thanks again.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks John, only I can't bring my tools into the car.

[@newawakenings17]

Sweet thanks just saw your reply =)

[@Roncace]

Steel wool? Buff the air channel? What do you mean?

[@Joshua-cz9si]

How tall should the air chamber be? The bamboo im using has thick walls so the little chamber before the air splits is really tall

[@larrypreston7588]

Hi, I'm constructing my own flute. I'm not sure what you call the top of the flute before you glue the mouth piece on, but I wanted to know how far from that end do I go down the flute to start the nest area? Also, what dimensions should I make the nest? I see it has a rectangular shape.

[@fearandfitnessadventure77]

What size bamboo would we need to make a flute?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Different sizes. I have different videos.

[@siarheikoyda9081]

Огромное спасибо за ваш обучающий материал!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Спасибо за просмотр, друг мой!

[@stenlyspa1325]

thanks for this sharing!!!!!!!!!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

You bet my friend! 😁

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Many! However, this one is river cane. :)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

As always, thank you Roy!

[@chrisbinkley7025]

Are you still making these?

[@USAlien234]

How did you get such thick river cane ? The stuff around me is very thin :( Can you give me a source to buy some ? Thanks for your video !

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Sure! Please visit Fluteblank.com for river cane blanks of all sizes!

[@USAlien234]

BlueBearArts Thank you :)

[@BlueBearFlutes]

No Problem!

[@sadisticnative90]

Nice!!! I been learning the flute for a few weeks now n I would like to make my own.. these videos are very inspiring for me to make my own.. sweet thanks man

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Great! Let us know how it goes :) Keep watching!

[@Roncace]

has this video been posted yet? If so, where?

[@Roncace]

How thin do you make the cutting edge of the TSH?

[@anthonyfeatherstone7696]

I just attempted my first flute because I watched your videos. yup I messed up the sit channel Lol. well just like Thomas Edison said. I just learned a way not to make it! awesome video thank you buddy!

[@anthonyfeatherstone7696]

Air* cnannel

[@anthonyfeatherstone7696]

dammit! channel*

[@larryb9226]

I need help on the bamboo mouthpieces on the bamboo flute soundtrack chain bur ?

[@marywhore1]

Thanks! how did you tune your flute?

[@gregpow842]

Hi Charlie I've started making native American flute I've managed to play but not very loud and a bit airey have you any tips to eliminate this Thanks

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I do have tips on this, check out perfecting the flute tracks, the best block for a flute and probably a dozen other videos I have on the subject. 🙂

[@gregpow842]

@@BlueBearFlutes thanks for the reply I've made 3 flute in the last week and there a long way from perfect but getting better each time

[@BlueBearFlutes]

@@gregpow842 😀👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@tambourine1982]

What wood did you use to make your flute?