How to Carve a Flute
A flute is a wind instrument that creates music by air flowing through a hollow tube. The tube has a series of finger holes that, when blocked in different sequences, allow the flute to play different keys. Bamboo is an ideal material for flute-making because of its naturally hollow structure. You can make your own bamboo flute with a few basic tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Bamboo
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- 1/2-inch thick steel rod
- Oven glove
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Pliers
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Linseed oil
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of bamboo with a diameter of at least 3/4 inches to between 18 and 20 inches long. When cutting, ensure one end remains blocked by the fibrous tissue that naturally exists in the joints, or notches, between each section of the bamboo. This is the blow hole end of the bamboo flute.
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2
Measure 1 inch from the blocked, blow hole end of the bamboo flute and mark the spot with a pencil. From this spot, measure 6 inches and mark that point as well. Continue to measure and mark points at 1-inch intervals five more times so you end up with seven marks altogether--for a blow hole and six finger holes.
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3
Heat the end of a 1/2-inch thick steel rod over a flame until it's red hot. With a gloved hand, insert the hot end of the rod into the open end of the bamboo (not the closed, blow hole end). Push the rod inside the flute gently to burn through the fibrous tissues and hollow out the bamboo. Leave the fibrous tissue intact at the blow hole end so it remains blocked.
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4
Grip a 1/4-inch drill bit with a pair of pliers and heat the drill bit until red hot. Carefully burn out holes at the seven marked spots with the drill bit.
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5
Roll up a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and insert it into each hole, twisting to clean up the edges.
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6
Protect the finished bamboo flute with a coat of linseed oil.
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Tips & Warnings
You can widen the blow hole slightly with rolled sandpaper to make it easier to create sound.
