How to Make Your Own Cedar Flute
A cedar flute is an instrument traditionally made by Native Americans. It produces beautiful music when air is blown through the mouthpiece and escapes through the holes in the flute. The cedar wood that is used to make the flute is soft and pleasantly aromatic. Using wood from naturally fallen trees is a great way to recycle while making an enjoyable instrument. If cared for properly, a cedar flute can provide a musician with a lifetime of pleasure. Making cedar flutes can also become a profitable hobby.
Things You'll Need
- Cedar wood
- Saw
- Carving knife
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Drill bit (small)
- Wood glue
- Rubber bands
- Wood burner
- Block of wood measuring 2 x 2 inches
Instructions
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1
Find a piece of cedar to use as your flute. You can find fallen trees in a wooded area near your home or you can purchase cedar wood at a local craft store. The piece should be approximately 2 feet long to allow room for waste.
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2
Trim the wood with the table saw until you have a piece that is approximately 3 inches square and 2 feet long.
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3
Cut the wood lengthwise into two equal pieces using the table saw.
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4
Hollow out both pieces of wood using a carving knife, creating two symmetrical chambers in each half of the flute. The middle and ends of the flute that have not been carved should touch each other when the flute halves are held together. Continue to hollow out the wood until you are left with approximately 1/2 inch of wood on both halves of the chambers.
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5
Sand the inside and outside surfaces of both halves of the cedar flute until they are smooth and even. This may take more than one type of sandpaper to achieve a truly smooth finish.
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6
Drill a small hole in the end of both pieces of wood to create an opening in which to blow air. You may want to hold the pieces together while drilling to help ensure even distribution of the hole. Sand the hole lightly to remove any wood shavings from the drilling.
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Drill a small hole in the bottom half of the flute, approximately 3 inches from the mouthpiece opening. Drill an additional hole directly above this one, in the top half of the flute. The hole in the top half of the flute should be shaped like a small square. The hole can be squared by using a wood burning tool.
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8
Create a deep, horizontal notch in the wood where both chambers meet at the top of the flute. This area is easily accessed through the square hole while the flute is held together manually. Creating this notch will allow the air to move from one chamber to the other, over the top of the separation.
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9
Spread a small amount of wood glue on both sides of the flute and put the halves together. Wipe off any excess glue quickly. Use several rubber bands to hold the two pieces together and allow to dry thoroughly.
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10
Drill six small holes in the end of the flute, away from the mouthpiece. This is the sound chamber. You may want to use a wood burner to enlarge the holes slightly and to create a smoother finish.
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11
Place the small block of wood over the top square hole of the flute and secure it with a rubber band. This block of wood, also known as a totem, will affect the sound of the flute. It can be moved slightly for tuning and variance.
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12
Sand the flute with fine sandpaper and finish with the stain or oil of your choice, if desired. Be sure to allow your cedar flute to dry before playing it.
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Tips & Warnings
You may choose to carve your wood block into an animal shape, as was traditionally done with cedar flutes.
Do not remove wood from State Land without a permit.
Use caution when using saws and carving knives to avoid injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit flute image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
