Tuning Native American Style Flute

The length of a flute will determine the base note the flute will play, and the hole sizes will determine it's notes. I will show how to tune a flute. buy tuner here; • Turning a Flute Body o...

[@7slotgrille]

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! This is the only video I have ever seen that fully explains hole tuning. Thank you so much, Mr. Porta!

[@donaldporta]

thank you for the comment---Don

[@almollitor]

I'm making my first flute and this is tremendously helpful. Thanks so much!

[@Hofmeister.Guitars]

Thank you so much for sharing this information! It’s been critical in helping me get started on my first flute and sharing the wonders of the flute with the world!

[@donaldporta]

You're so welcome!

[@truelove55]

I am so grateful that you share your knowledge with us ... thank you soooo much

[@donaldporta]

You are so welcome

[@woodskid4ever]

Good vid! I usually deburr the bore then shorten to pitch or bore tuning holes. Also, undercutting the holes lets you tune while maintaining uniform hole size. I like the burning trick you use to soften the hole bores. Thank you for posting!

[@DavidKissinger-cm3lh]

very helpful video, thanx for sharing !

[@stevetallant5293]

Thank you for this vidio. I have watched a lot and yours is by far the easiest and most informative. I think now I can do this.

[@donaldporta]

You are so welcome!

[@ROY-COLLEY]

That explanation was tip top. And to show the measurements with the ruler was so so helpful. 10 out of 10 sir. 👏 👏 👏

[@donaldporta]

thank you

[@patrickbateman3146]

This actually helped me tune my cheaply made and out of tune duduk. Same principles.

[@DIYGarage_SoCal]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you!!

[@donaldporta]

You are so welcome!

[@samTollefson]

That was an Excellent tutorial! Many Thanks!

[@donaldporta]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnhutchinson5398]

Thanks for your time and work on this video. It would have been nice to see the measurements clearer and also the size of the playing holes diameter along with the measurements of a six hole flute. That’s pretty cool video. Thanks again

[@ulisesfuentes3617]

Thank you so much for such valuable information!

[@donaldporta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheDrut666]

Fantastic instruction, thank you so much for this

[@donaldporta]

You're very welcome!

[@harrichandpuran252]

True experience well explain thank you sir I have enjoyed your video once again thank you

[@donaldporta]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@agoogleuser3787]

Helpful, sir. Thank you!

[@donaldporta]

You are welcome!

[@Whiskyjumper]

Exactly what I was looking for and needed. Thank you so much for this VERY helpful video!

[@donaldporta]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gavrill8239]

You're the best one 😎

[@thomasryan4697]

People will different hand sizes could result in significant differences in hole placement. One would think there is only one set of holes that would work using 1/4" holes. Also, as you increase hole size are you incrementing by 1/64" bit size

[@donaldporta]

yes

[@newleontube]

Hi Donald, thanks for the very useful video. Very informative and helpful. I would like a little deeper sound, like the key of low D. I did some research and found that a bore size of 1 1/4 (1.25) inch and a wall thickness of 3/16 (0.1875) inch are proper choices. However, when I use flutomat (www.flutopedia.com/naflutomat.htm) to calculate finger holes, the distance between the three lower holes gets large which makes it hard to reach. I am thinking to use this traditional way, the one you explained in this video, instead of flutomat. Any suggestions and considerations? Many thanks.

[@donaldporta]

layout your finger position that you can reach, while still maintaining a greater distance between those holes, and these holes will be moved closer to the sounding hole. should work

[@f1948s]

I noticed the spacing between the 3rd and 4th holes from the bottom the spacing is quiet a bit more. Can you explain why this is that way? I am trying to make a key E flute and the spacing info I have is that the fourth hole would be much closer than the way I see your spacing. Any info would be helpful. Thanks

[@donaldporta]

that spacing would be where the 6th hole would be. Most of my flutes are the 5 hole which is the type that the Natives east of the Mississippi used, since this is my home territory, I stay with this tradition.

[@hazelvoss4674]

If my bass note is 23 cents flat will shaving off the bottom bring it in tune? Thank you, kindly, for all you do. ❤

[@donaldporta]

trimming will bring the base up, but also change all the other notes.

[@Bass-guitarist]

What do you think the percentage is of flutes tuned to 432 vs 440? I have heard that 432 is more naturally pleasing but wondered if you tune all your flutes to 432 or a mix?

[@markharrison-qf5gr]

Hi Donald, I have tuned my flute as suggested by your self and others but the problem I find is that the flute is tuned. But when you have the holes covered like you would while playing the notes have changed to some degree which I have found very confusing, please can you explain what I am doing wrong. thankyou Mark

[@donaldporta]

possibly the wall thickness of the flute is too great

[@Whiskyjumper]

How hard would it be to implement a sixth hole for a six hole flute? How would you work out spacing and tuning of the sixth hole? And when you are tuning each hole, do you leave them all open when playing the note you are trying to tune?

[@donaldporta]

the sixth hole is in the center space between the two holes and the three holes, when tuning you start at the bottom end of the flute and work up to the sound hole leaving all holes open as you tune.

[@Whiskyjumper]

@@donaldporta Awesome. Thank you!

[@waynedavies3185]

Does method apply using 440 tuning instead of just the 432 tuning? Thanks for the video. One more question tuning used for 6 hole flute and not just a 5 hole alone by using only one thumb spacing width between 3rd and now 4th hole?

[@donaldporta]

Yes it does

[@robertcornelius3514]

Can I use that same chart if I am building a five hole flute?

[@donaldporta]

yes--- Most of my flutes are 5 hole.

[@robertcornelius3514]

@@donaldporta , I gotcha. The six columns had me a bit confused.

[@mrenormouscroc]

So if the lines that you marked with your hand and thumb were different from your flute, why would you do it? Some of the holes were way different. And of course everyone has a different hand size so the tunings could be way off and you end up with firewood. Apart from that , thank you for clear, concise description and measurements. I'm going to make one.

[@donaldporta]

I am referring to old school method when the flute makers were making these by eye and did not have measurement devices and built from personal experience. The hand, fingers, foot and step were primitive means of measurements.

[@agoogleuser3787]

Yes. He is showing you the traditional method of how to determine dimensions ancestrally (consistent measuring tools actually). Then he shows you that you can use your tuned flutes as a guide for future flutes in that key. This will expedite your tuning process, which can take time. Once you drill and cut it is harder to put stuff back. So if you want to figure out an A flute or a G flute from scratch EVERY single time, go for it. Very smart what he shows you here. I would imagine even those before us would have done this as well.

[@boss-mwpressurewashing5068]

What is the overall length of that flute?

[@donaldporta]

usually 19 inches--- all depends on the length of the low pressure air chamber and the final tuning of the flute.

[@boss-mwpressurewashing5068]

@@donaldporta I would really like to see more videos from you on flute making. Is that possible?

[@cynthiaboggs1730]

432😊