Flute-making is not such a challenging job. You can make a good flute with the right guidance. People who already perform small DIYs at home will find it easier!
And, if you are completely new to making objects at home, you might fall in love with the DIY with this project.
Also, it might unravel your flute playing potential as well. In the making process, you might consider learning to play the flute a bit.
Our guide is not only going to help with completing a school project, and it will secure you good grades too. So, you have come to the right place for help!
We will provide you with the most uncomplicated flute-making process for your school projects.
Let’s start with the process.
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Tools And Supplies
- 5-inch diameter/20-inch long bamboo pipe
- Hacksaw
- Drill machine
- All-purpose drill bits: 11.91mm & 9.13mm
- Flat marble
- Glue gun
- Glut stick
- Ruler
- Marble
- Flame retardant tape
- Sandpaper
- And basic flute playing skills (Why? Find it out at the end!)
Step 1
The first you need to do is visit some woodshops to collect the recommended bamboo pipe. If you don’t find it in the measurements we provided, you can collect some that are roughly the same.
If you can’t find them after an in-store purchase, why not try some online options? Do a few searches with your browser and collect the bamboo pipe as soon as you can.
Online should not be the priority to buy bamboo pipe. So, consider visiting the stores first. If you don’t find any bamboo pipe in the stores, you can try it online.
With the bamboo pipe, collect the other supplies and tools as well. Once you gather all the required items, you can find a place at your home or outside the home to start making the flute. A working table would assist you a great deal in performing the steps with ease.
It’s going to be exciting!
Step 2
If you are all set to go, you need to check the length of the pipe. Take the measurement tape; if it shows 20 inches, you are good. Next, take the sand to smooth out the edges of the bamboo pipe. You don’t have to make the edges too much that they lose shape! Just move the sandpaper over the edges and make them smooth.
Sometimes the pipes come with smooth edges, and you don’t have to smooth them out separately at home. If you find the edges abrasive, do make use of sandpaper. It can be fun too because DIYs are an excellent source for having fun.
However, if you find the piper longer than 20 inches, you need to chop it off. To do that, you have to use the hacksaw. Be careful with it. Go slow while running it over the pipe. We don’t want you to get harmed anyway.
To cut the extra edge, you should mark it. If it gets cracked from any side accidentally, you can cut it further. Don’t worry about the length, and you can make 12 inches flute too. After adjusting the length, you need to smooth out its edges.
Step 3
Once the length is adjusted and the edges are smooth, you will make holes in the flute. To make holes, prepare the drill machine by installing the drill bit. You could take the help of an elderly person at this stage.
Before drilling, you have to mark the spots for holes/tone holes in the flute. There will be a mouthing hole as well at the head portion of the flute.
To mark for the mouthing hole, hold the scale by the side of the flute, and make the first mark with a 5-6 inches of the gap from the starting point.
Next, you will make the tone hole. And, there should at least six holes for that. The first fingering should be 7-8 inches away. The gap between the 6-tone holes should be 2-3 inches.
Note
You see, there is no exact measurement for distancing the holes on the flute. In fact, all manufacturers have their own measurements. But they do consider if the measurement is okay for the playing stage.
The prehistoric flutes were also made with the help of the measurements of fingers. Yes, they do have not measurement tape or ruler. But it seems like people are still not following a single measurement.
Making The Holes
The mouthing hole needs to be bigger than the tone holes. Hence, you need to use the 11mm drill bit, and for the tone holes, you need to use the 9mm drill bits.
Be cautious with the drill. The drill bits are likely to slip from the curved surface. And, you are handling curved materials. Moreover, the surface of the bamboo pipe is highly slippery.
The right way to use the drill on the bamboo is- to place the pipe on the pipe on a flat surface. Then, hold the pipe firmly, so it doesn’t move or get displaced in the process of drilling.
Your hand should be placed far away from the area you are drilling. That way, there will be no chance for you to get hurt by it.
Step 4
The flute is almost ready! Next, you need to block an edge of the flute to create tones when you blow on it.
The edge near the mouthing hole needs to be blocked. In order to do that, you need to take the help of a glue gun.
Install a glue stick and heat the gun properly. Once the glue is ready to be used, take the flat marble, which we suggested on the list. Next, apply glue on the edge, and add the marble.
There are many other ways one can block that edge. But we figured it’s the easiest way. Besides, it will make a contribution to decorating the flute too. Also, we have seen many people use marble to block their flutes.
The marble is going to add good looks. While buying, do select fancy colors. Or, you can go for your favorite color too.
Step 5
Your flute is ready! Since you are making it for a school project, so why not make a captivating one? You can add some design to the flute. We have a fantastic solution to help you to incorporate some amazing designs on your flute.
Use the flame retardant tape, and cover the body of the flute by leaving some patterned gaps. You can go for any random patterns. Just don’t cover it entirely.
Once the tapes are on the body of the flute, take the flute to the stove. Now, burn the flute! We mean, turn on the flute, set it on fire on fire.
You will see the back color spreading on the body of the flute. Move the flute; make sure all the areas are covered with fire marks. You don’t have to leave it on fire for too long. Once you see the marks, you can change the place.
Final Step
Now, take out the flute from the fire. And, let it cool down. Once it is properly cold, you will remove the tape. You will then see some excellent fire marks that will help to stand out in the school projects.
The last you could do is to learn some flute playing. If you have got time before the project submission, why not try to play it. You could show people at school. And, you have just made a flute, which is a great musical instrument. How can you resist not to learn playing it!