How to Figure Finger Holes for Flute

Flute finger holes are measured from the mouth hole.

The size and placement of the finger holes will determine the tone of the notes produced by a flute. Holes that are close to the mouth hole will produce high notes, while those farther away will produce lower notes. Likewise, a smaller finger hole produces a lower note, and a larger finger hole produces a higher note. When you're designing a flute, it's important to space the finger holes appropriately so that the instrument produces the desired range of notes.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from the middle of the mouth hole to the end of the flute. In this example, the length is 36 inches.

2. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .43 to determine where the first hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .43 equals 15.48. The first finger hole should be placed 15.48 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

3. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .5 to determine where the second hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .5 equals 18. The second finger hole should be placed 18 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

4. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .58 to determine where the third hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .58 equals 20.88. The third finger hole should be placed 20.88 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

5. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .68 to determine where the fourth hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .68 equals 24.48. The fourth finger hole should be placed 24.48 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

6. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .73 to determine where the fifth hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .73 equals 26.28. The fifth finger hole should be placed 26.28 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

7. Multiply the length of the flute from the mouth hole to the end by .83 to determine where the sixth hole will be placed. In the example, 36 times .83 equals 29.88. The first finger hole should be placed 29.88 inches from the middle of the mouth hole.

References

• Mark Shep; Where to Put the Holes for a Flute; Mark Shepard; 2002
• Michigan Tech: Flute Finger Hole Locations