How to Make a Homemade Woodwind Instrument
A woodwind is an instrument through which sound is produced by a vibrating column of air. Woodwind instruments include the flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. Members of the flute family differ from other woodwind instruments because they don't use a reed. You can make a simple, working flute from a piece of PVC pipe.
Things You'll Need
- 15 9/16-inch long piece of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
- Ruler
- Permanent marker
- Drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- 11/32-inch drill bit
- 7/16-inch drill bit
- 5/16-inch drill bit
- 16-inch length of 1/2-inch dowel rod
- Wet/dry fine grit sandpaper
- Plastic pipe cement
- Standard endcap for the PVC pipe
Instructions
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1
Lay the piece of PVC pipe on a flat surface, bracing it so it will not roll as you mark your drilling positions.
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2
Measure from one end of the PVC pipe and mark your drilling positions in the following locations: 6 7/8 inches, 8 inches, 10 3/4 inches and 12 3/4 inches. Ensure the marks line up straight down the length of the tube.
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3
Rotate the tube 25 degrees and mark two additional positions at 9 1/8 inches and 11 1/2 inches.
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4
Use a 3/8-inch drill bit to drill the first three holes, drilling slowly so the bit doesn't grab as it reaches the interior of the PVC pipe.
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5
Drill the fourth hole with an 11/32-inch drill bit, the fifth hole with a 7/16-inch drill bit, and the sixth hole with a 5/16-inch drill bit.
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6
Push the dowel rod into the PVC pipe, rubbing it against the holes to remove any bits of plastic adhering to them.
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7
Sand the holes over a sink with gently running water in order to minimize dust.
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8
Brush plastic pipe cement on the end of the PVC pipe farthest from the holes and place the endcap in place.
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9
Make a blowhole by using the 7/16-inch drill bit to drill through the endcap and the pipe. The hole should be 5/16 inches from the edge of the endcap and aligned with the four original holes you drilled.
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Tips & Warnings
This flute is in the key of G and plays two full octaves.
Allow the plastic pipe cement in the flute to dry thoroughly before you use the flute so that you will not inhale noxious fumes.
