How to Make Your Own Native American Flute Whistle
Native American flute whistles are simple instruments carved from cedar wood. They produce a breathy, woody tone that is soothing and somewhat mystic sounding. You can make your own flute from a block of cedar wood and a few woodworking tools. The hardest part about the flute-making process is the totem animal that channels the sound. For best results, purchase this animal before building the flute so that you can easily channel the sound. Carving the animals is beyond the skill of most woodworker hobbyists.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Block of cedar wood
- Table saw
- Clamps or vice grips
- Carving tools or router
- Drill
- Wood glue
- Rasp
- Sandpaper
- Totem animal
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut a block of cedar wood to the same length that you want the final flute to be. Make the block of wood about 1 inch larger on all sides than the final flute so you can shape and sand the wood to the correct shape. Most Native American flutes are at least 18 to 24 inches long.
-
2
Cut the block of wood in half lengthwise down the middle. Place the block on a flat surface and stabilize it with a clamp or other grip.
-
-
3
Carve out the inside middle of both halves of the flute using the flat carving tool that has a rounded blade that will create a rounded hole. You can also use a router to hollow out the center of each flute half. Leave about 1/4 inch of wood along the sides and bottom of the wood. Carve the wood out from one side to about one-third of the way to the end of the wood. From the other side, carve the wood toward the other end, leaving a 1/3-inch thick piece of wood dividing the two carved sections.
-
4
Drill out the holes for the flute into one half of the flute. Drill one large hole just in front of the wood divider. Drill another hole the same size on the opposite side of the wood divider.
-
5
Drill six small holes about 6 inches away from the divider holes. Space the holes about 1/2 an inch apart.
-
6
Glue the two halves of the flute together. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
-
7
Shape the front of the flute with the rasp to give it about half of the width as the main body of the flute. Round the edges of the flute with the rasp.
-
8
Sand the flute until rounded and smooth.
-
9
Place the totem animal over the large hole closest to the tapered end of the flute. Check to make sure there is a small split in the front legs of the animal so that sound can travel through the split. Glue the animal to the top of the flute, covering the first hole. Do not glue the slot in the animal closed. Allow the flute to dry for 24 hours.
-
1
