How to Make Native American Flutes

Native American flutes have been around for thousands of years as a part of distinct culture, religion, spirituality, social entertainment and music. The best way to distinguish a Native American flute is from the carvings that represent different emotions or rituals, or embellishments such as feathers and beads hanging off of the flute. The best material to carve them out of is wood. Choose a soft wood if possible, such as basswood or butternut (to name a few).

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Bench with a vice clamp
• Round wooden logs
• Power drill
• 1/2-inch-thick slice of cork
• Grinder
• Drill bit assortment of sizes
• Saw
• Sandpaper
• Round file
• Wood glue
• Small file
• Detailing tools
• Embellishments
• Measuring tape
• Waterproof marking utensil
• Pliers
• Metal rod

Instructions

1. Put on the protective eyewear and gloves. Secure the wooden log to the vice. Create the average size of a Native American flute, using the saw to cut the round wooden log so that it is 1 1/2 feet long.

2. Hollow out the flute by securing the power drill with the longest drill bit you have. Turn it on and begin from the center of one edge of the wooden log. Hollow out as much of the middle as you can, making sure to leave at least 1/4-inch-thick layer of wood around the edges. Once you have carefully drilled out as much wood as you can, repeat the process on the other side of the wooden log. You should be able to see through the wooden log, like flute, once you are done.

3. Fasten a small sheet of sandpaper to the drill bit. Start on the first side you hollowed out, smoothing edges, corners and providing more precision. Repeat this process on the other side of the log. Do this slowly and carefully to create the hollow appearance of a flute.

4. Decide which side of the Native American flute you want the blowhole on. See which side fits you the most comfortably. This is the side that you will need a cap for to ensure the air flows properly through the instrument. Use your tools to carve a round top out of the wood scraps about a 1/2 inch tall and 1/2 inch in diameter. Make sure the top is rounded to fit the diameter of the flute's opening, and that the bottom is flat and straight. This is going to be closest to the blowhole.

5. Fit a piece of cork to the bottom of the cap to provide more insulation and padding. You want the circumference of the cork to be slightly smaller than the cap, so trim it up with carving tools or the file if necessary. Glue this to the cap, and insert that into one of the hollow sides of the flute. Next, remove the cap and set it aside.

6. Use sandpaper secured around a metal rod to finish hollowing out and smoothing the rest of the flute. This will completely smoothen out any uneven or rough edges. Glue the top wood piece back on with wood glue. Let it dry.

7. Make the finger holes so you will be able to actually play the Native American flute. Mark 1 inch down from this top where the cap is to create the blowhole. Continue to move down 1 1/2 inches and make a mark to create the first finger hole. Continue moving 1 inch down from this hole, marking each time until you have seven marks total on the body of the flute.

8. Soak the flute in order to moisten the wood in a bucket of warm water, which will keep it intact when you drill the holes. Soak for about 40 minutes. Pat dry once complete.

9. Secure the smallest drill bit you have to the drill, and slowly and carefully drill through the marked holes. Try to make the holes as round and evenly sized as possible, about 1/4 inch in circumference for each finger hole, and 1/2 inch in circumference for the blowhole.

10. Use the sandpaper to smooth any rough edges around the holes. Get rid of any dust and debris inside the flute's body by inserting the metal rod covered in sandpaper one more time.

11. Add Native American markings and symbols however you see fit. Create the flute for special occasions (for example, if it is a flute just for celebrations, create a happy and upbeat theme to the flute such as smiling people, hands clapping and musical notes). Add leather strips with beads and feathers secured to hang from the ends of the flute.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different types of embellishments and carvings to create Native American flutes for different types of occasions.

• Be careful when working with sharp machinery and materials.