Q&A for How to Make a Bamboo Flute

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Question

Is one end of the flute supposed to be blocked off, or are both ends supposed to be open?

Community Answer

The end nearest the blow hole is the blocked end. The other end is open.

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Question

What should I use to treat the wood when it is finished?

Community Answer

An organic wood sealer or natural substitute, as others will likely contain hazardous chemicals.

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Question

How is the sound made?

Community Answer

Sound is produced from a flute by blowing onto a sharp edge, causing air enclosed in the tube to vibrate.

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Question

How big should I make the inside diameter of the flute?

Kim G

Top Answerer

Depending on your desired key for the flute, the diameter should be between 3/4 and 7/8 inches. Bamboo sticks with thin walls of approximately 1/8 inches produce the best sound.

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Question

What is the simplest way to make a flute?

Community Answer

As per this article, you could carve it out of bamboo, or buy pieces and assemble it or just buy the flute assembled.

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Question

Can I glue a hole in the cork?

Community Answer

Yes, if there is a small hole in the cork you can glue it.

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Question

What causes a bamboo flute to change pitch?

Community Answer

You can change the pitch by covering some of the holes on the flute with your fingers and then blowing in the top hole. Remember to not cover the top hole.

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Question

How many finger holes should be made?

Community Answer

depending on the size of your flute, an average bamboo flute has five or six holes. The larger it is, the larger the variety of notes you can play.

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Question

How do I know where to put the embouchure on my bamboo flute?

Community Answer

The distance of the embouchure hole is approximately equal to the diameter of the flute. If the diameter of the bamboo is 4 mm, then you measure that distance from the plugged end and drill there.

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Question

How long will it last?

Kim G

Top Answerer

With the proper maintenance, the flute should last indefinitely. The main problem is the bamboo cracking if it dries out. Keep the flute in a cloth flute bag, available online or in music stores, avoid extreme temperatures, and oil the flute with pure walnut or tung oil three or four times a year.

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Question

What happens if I increase the number of holes in a flute? Does its pitch increase or decrease?

Community Answer

If you have more open holes, the pitch will increase. The larger and closer the hole is to the embrochure, the higher the pitch it will produce.

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Question

What is wrong if my flute doesn't make any sound?

Community Answer

If it is built correctly, then it could be your playing. If you don't play the flute, take it to someone who does to test it till you learn the correct embouchure. If you can play, then double check all parts of the build were done correctly.

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Question

Where is a bamboo flute calculator?

Community Answer

It is called Flutomat calculator. It can be found through an online search.

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Question

Where do I start measuring the 14 inches, from the solid or the hollow part?

Community Answer

When measuring the flute, you need to measure it from the solid part in order to get the best sound.

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Question

What do I do if I made a bamboo flute and one hole is not making any sound?

Community Answer

It might be the way you are blowing into it. You have to blow on a sharp edge for it to have a clear crisp sound.

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Question

What is an embouchure?

Kim G

Top Answerer

An embouchure is the way you position your lips, mouth, and facial muscles to produce a note. It affects the pitch and volume of the note you play.

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