How to Make a One Octave Flute

How to Make a One Octave Flute thumbnail
A simple bamboo flute

Flutes come in different varieties, such as pentatonic bamboo flutes, Irish pennywhistles, and modern orchestral flutes. A variety of materials can be used to make flutes, including metal, clay, bamboo and plastic pipes, such as PVC or CPVC. A simple, one octave flute made from bamboo can be used to play jazz, modern and classical music, as well as Chinese and Japanese meditation and folk songs.

Things You'll Need

  • Bamboo
  • Sandpaper
  • Dowel
  • Beeswax
  • Masking tape
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a mature piece of bamboo that is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 14 inches long. Sand the ends until smooth. Push a dowel through the bamboo to remove debris. Cut the top edge of the bamboo at a 45 degree angle--- this becomes the mouthpiece. Sand it thoroughly and apply a coating of warm beeswax.

    • 2

      Wrap masking tape around the bamboo. Measure and mark 1 inch from the top; continue marking at 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 inches. Drill 1/4 inch holes on these marks and remove the masking tape.

    • 3

      Use rolled sandpaper to smooth the insides of the holes. Varnish or decorate the flute with paint.

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  • Photo Credit elanora.com

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