dear greg:
i made a pvc flute, just like you suggested, actually made two. thanks for the push. we used my friend's drill press at his hardward store. the drill press sure helped. there was a piece of junk plastic on the floor of the hardware store that made a wonderful end plug that put the flute in perfect pitch. quite a few customers came back to check how well the flute sounded after the holes were filed. they even looked inspired. they live a distance away and i can't wait to go back and visit, i'd like a few more in different keys if they're that easy to make.
Thanks, mutepointe! I have a PVC flute in every room of my house, plus one in my car. I probably paid about $5 for materials, and had a lot of fun in the process.
I had wanted to make flutes for my 7th grade music class, but the regular D flute we use is not very kid-friendly. I found a design for a C flute, about 13 1/2 inches long, made of 1/2 inch PVC, and over the last two days my students made 54 of them! The holes are smaller, closer, and it's easier to play.
I built a wooden jig for marking the holes; we use the school's drill press; the kids sand the surface, wash them, and hammer a one-inch wooden plug into the end. Then, they are free to decorate their flutes with stickers. We play simple one-octave tunes; they compose a 16-bar composition; and keep the flutes at the end of the term.
I'm glad you enjoyed the two you made; now you need to make lots more and give them to friends! -Greg
Greg, on a capitolistic note, perhaps you should have the local JA get involved and see if the kids might like to make and sell the things. I'd buy a C flute to have around the house, as well as any other keys (I have one of Richard's D PVC flutes).
Looks like I've missed an interesting discussion. A fellow called Lewis (or Louis) at the Haddenham Ceilidh presented me with a two-metre length of 25mm PVC in bright red. Hurrah! Except that all the measurements I have are for 22mm and 15mm PVC. But, nuts, it's only maths. Now I have managed to make a low G whistle for my daughter and a low D that is four feet long, that I can use as a walking-stick and play while I'm out in the (comparative) wilds. I want to send a video of me playing the thing to Guido Gonzato, but I need to get a bit better on it first. Meanwhile, I'll have to trawl back through the discussions.
That's a good idea. In the meantime, here are the measurements for the C flutes we use-
1/2" pipe from Home Depot (about $1.60 for 10 feet); 5/8" dowel from Home Depot
Cut the pipe to 327mm. Drill a 3/8" hole 37mm from one end; continue drilling holes using a 5/16" bit at 148mm, 177mm, 201mm, 226mm, 239mm, and 272mm measured from that same end.
Cut a one inch piece of the 5/8" dowel and when you bang it in the end, it will be the right distance from the center of the embouchure hole.
Sand all the sharp edges; roll sandpaper in a tight tube and sand the insides of the holes. Try to undercut the holes, too.
Hey, thanks, Greg...now I just need to talk Dirk into making one for me. Drills and bits, oh my!
Actually, I probably COULD manage one, I suppose. Maybe I'll have a go one of these days when I've nothing else to do...let's see, looking at the calender, that should be about...2050?
Greg, I do hope you're planning to encourage/urge/command your eager young students to attend the Boston Celtic Music Fest next month (http://www.bcmfest.com). And I say that not simply because I'll be performing. There'll be flute players a-plenty!
thanks to greg the piano tuner
thanks to greg the piano tuner
dear greg:
i made a pvc flute, just like you suggested, actually made two. thanks for the push. we used my friend's drill press at his hardward store. the drill press sure helped. there was a piece of junk plastic on the floor of the hardware store that made a wonderful end plug that put the flute in perfect pitch. quite a few customers came back to check how well the flute sounded after the holes were filed. they even looked inspired. they live a distance away and i can't wait to go back and visit, i'd like a few more in different keys if they're that easy to make.
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by mutepointe
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Thanks, mutepointe! I have a PVC flute in every room of my house, plus one in my car. I probably paid about $5 for materials, and had a lot of fun in the process.
I had wanted to make flutes for my 7th grade music class, but the regular D flute we use is not very kid-friendly. I found a design for a C flute, about 13 1/2 inches long, made of 1/2 inch PVC, and over the last two days my students made 54 of them! The holes are smaller, closer, and it's easier to play.
I built a wooden jig for marking the holes; we use the school's drill press; the kids sand the surface, wash them, and hammer a one-inch wooden plug into the end. Then, they are free to decorate their flutes with stickers. We play simple one-octave tunes; they compose a 16-bar composition; and keep the flutes at the end of the term.
I'm glad you enjoyed the two you made; now you need to make lots more and give them to friends! -Greg
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Thats a great idea Greg.
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by McMandolin
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Greg, on a capitolistic note, perhaps you should have the local JA get involved and see if the kids might like to make and sell the things.
I'd buy a C flute to have around the house, as well as any other keys (I have one of Richard's D PVC flutes).
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Looks like I've missed an interesting discussion. A fellow called Lewis (or Louis) at the Haddenham Ceilidh presented me with a two-metre length of 25mm PVC in bright red. Hurrah! Except that all the measurements I have are for 22mm and 15mm PVC. But, nuts, it's only maths. Now I have managed to make a low G whistle for my daughter and a low D that is four feet long, that I can use as a walking-stick and play while I'm out in the (comparative) wilds. I want to send a video of me playing the thing to Guido Gonzato, but I need to get a bit better on it first. Meanwhile, I'll have to trawl back through the discussions.
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by Innocent Bystander
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Zina Lee,
That's a good idea. In the meantime, here are the measurements for the C flutes we use-
1/2" pipe from Home Depot (about $1.60 for 10 feet); 5/8" dowel from Home Depot
Cut the pipe to 327mm. Drill a 3/8" hole 37mm from one end; continue drilling holes using a 5/16" bit at 148mm, 177mm, 201mm, 226mm, 239mm, and 272mm measured from that same end.
Cut a one inch piece of the 5/8" dowel and when you bang it in the end, it will be the right distance from the center of the embouchure hole.
Sand all the sharp edges; roll sandpaper in a tight tube and sand the insides of the holes. Try to undercut the holes, too.
If you do a Google search for PVC flutes, you'll get tons of sites. Mark Shepard's book is great, but the King of Homemade PVC Flutes is Doug Tipple, and you can see him at
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Elife2all/dougswebspace/index.html
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Hey, thanks, Greg...now I just need to talk Dirk into making one for me.
Drills and bits, oh my!
Actually, I probably COULD manage one, I suppose. Maybe I'll have a go one of these days when I've nothing else to do...let's see, looking at the calender, that should be about...2050?
# Posted on December 17th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
Greg, I do hope you're planning to encourage/urge/command your eager young students to attend the Boston Celtic Music Fest next month (http://www.bcmfest.com). And I say that not simply because I'll be performing. There'll be flute players a-plenty!
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by sts
Re: thanks to greg the piano tuner
". . .a two-metre length of 25mm PVC in bright red. "
Oooooooooo, I want me some of that. I know someone who "needs" a red and gold flute.
KFG
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by KFG