Flute from Elder Wood

[fred gordon]

I'm looking for a simple guide to making a flute from an Elder stick. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've looked at the threads I can find here but haven't found what I'm looking for. Any help appreciated.

 

[Tony]

Have a look in this article in the DIY article section, near the bottom. It might not be quite what you're looking for but there again The Elderberry Flute of Central America

 

[jdlenton]

I made some elder whistles the other week

I want to make some more so I'll take some photos and do a little tutorial
the trouble with making a flute this way for me would be tuning it so that you could play along with other modern instruments i haven't got a clue how to do it if any one has any ides please let me know

James

 

[Marts]

tutorial would be good James

 

[ilovemybed]

Hi James,
Here's some instructions I found for making a tin whisle a while ago. Perhaps it will give you a starting point? Basically, the longer the tube the deeper the pitch so start long and shave bits off. The other notes can be placed using strict mathematical formulae, but the instructions show you as ratios which is helpful.

The 'lip' it refers to during measurement is the edge of the 'cut-out' that is further from your mouth.

and here is a playing guide!: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A489693

TRIMMING THE TUBE TO THE PROPER LENGTH/PITCH:

A chromatic type electronic tuner is very helpful here. If you
don't have or can't borrow one, this task can still be
adequately accomplished by very carefully comparing the low D
note to a known standard (pitch pipe, tuning fork etc).

Always start with a tube that produces a pitch below low D &
proceed by hacksawing off very small pieces of the tube - all
the time testing the pitch. When the pitch gets close to low D,
it's time to start filing. Do this evenly and carefully,
checking the pitch very frequently.

One important note -- It's really amazing just how very much
difference in pitch there is between a cold tinwhistle and a
room-temperature one! Somewhere near half the way to the next
note! Always have the whistle at room temperature and always
make sure it has been warmed by playing for at least a minute
before attempting any tube pitching or hole sizing.

All cut or drilled edges should be completely de-burred.

*******************************************************************

- LAYING OUT THE LOCATION OF THE THE FINGER HOLES:
(For an easier method, using a photocopier, see the appendix)

Once you have the tube of your low D copper whistle cut to
the proper length to sound a low D note, carefully measure
the distance from the mouthpiece "lip" to the right hand end
(open-end) of the instrument.

The center of the 1st hole (the hole nearest the mouthpiece)
should be located 44.74% of this overall "lip" to open-end
measurement.

The center of the 2nd hole should be located 52.47% of this
overall "lip" to open-end measurement.

The center of the 3rd hole should be located 60.38% of this
overall "lip" to open-end measurement.

The center of the 4th hole should be located 68.82% of this
overall "lip" to open-end measurement.

The center of the 5th hole should be located 74.93% of this
overall "lip" to open-end measurement.

The center of the 6th hole (the hole nearest the open end of
this whistle) should be located 84.10% of the overall "lip"
to open-end measurement.

How to convert these percentages into actual measurements:
- First move the percentage's decimal point two
units to the left (ie: 44.74 becomes .4474)
- Then simply multiply this number by the
"lip" to open-end distance

I have built several identical instruments and have found that
even if built to the same exact dimensions, the overall pitchs
often vary instrument to instrument! This must be due to slight
variations in tubing wall thickness, diameter etc. For this
reason I am hesitant here to give exact instrument length & hole
placement dimensions here. This "percentage" method is very
straightforward and easy to use.

Enjoy!

Neil

 

[jdlenton]

Thanks neil i'll give it a go not to find a nice piece of elder that stright has wall thickness about 1.5 mm and about 10 to 15 mm in diameter sounds like a job for the way home


James