Make a Transverse Flute from Household Supplies

Whether playing, singing, or listening, music is a creative process. Creating music can be fun and enjoyable, and doesn't need to be difficult. It can be just as easy to create musical instruments.

One of the simplest instruments to make is the flute. The family of flutes includes instruments such as whistles and recorders, where the player blows air directly into the instrument, and transverse flutes where the player blows across a hole in the mouthpiece to produce a sound. The standard flute found in bands and orchestras is a transverse flute.

Steps

Creating a Pan Flute With Drinking Straws

  1. Use straws for a simple pan flute. The pan flute, or pan pipe, is a type of flute consisting of a group of small pipes of graduated length to produce a melody. Pan flutes are usually made of wood, but many other materials can be used. A very basic pan flute can be built out of drinking straws.
  2. Gather eight straws (you can use more or fewer as convenient).
  3. Leave one straw uncut, then use a scissors to cut an inch off the second straw, so that each straw is an inch shorter than the previous one.
  4. Tear or cut a length of tape sufficient to wrap around the straws.
  5. Lay the straws side by side on the tape and fold the tape around the straws.
    • If you wish, you can decorate the tape with markers or crayons either before or after you secure the straws.
  6. Play the pan flute by blowing across the top of the straws.

Creating a Pan Flute With Bottles

  1. Gather and wash the bottles you want to use. You can use as many bottles as you want, and any material, but at least six are recommended.[1]
  2. Blow a note on each bottle to determine their pitch. You can raise the pitch by adding water to the bottle.
  3. Arrange the bottles according to pitch.
  4. Start playing.

Creating a Cardboard Tube Flute

  1. Try cardboard for a simple tube flute. You can create a simple flute using a small-diameter cardboard such as a paper towel or empty wrapping paper roll. Since making a cardboard flute requires the use of sharp objects like craft knives and scissors, young children should be supervised by an adult if they will be handling these tools.
  2. Cut the tube to the desired length. The Music Revitalization Project, an organization dedicated to keep concert band music alive, recommends a length of no more than two feet. [2]
  3. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut an oval hole approximately two inches from the end of the tube about one-half to one inch to create a sound hole (embouchure).
  4. Plug the end closest to the sound hole using modeling clay or any other medium that closes the end completely.
  5. Cut six holes down the length of the tube at even intervals. Make sure the holes are not bigger than your fingertips.
  6. Decorate the flute with crayons, markers, or any other medium. If you use paint, allow it to dry at least overnight.
  7. Play the flute by holding it parallel to the ground and blowing across the sound hole. Create notes by covering and uncovering the finger holes in various combinations.

Creating Flute using PVC Pipe

  1. Use PVC for a more durable DIY flute. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe is inexpensive and readily available. It can be cut like wood, and produces a durable flute that you can carry in a backpack without worrying about breakage. The following method is inspired by the instructions for the Native American-like PVC Flute featured on the Physics of Music site.[3]
  2. Gather these materials and tools. Please note that the use of drills, files, and other tools should only be used by persons who are proficient with using them.
      • 3/4" PVC (Hot/cold water) pipe
      • 1/2" PVC pipe (short length, optional)
      • 3/4" to 3/4" PVC coupler
      • 3/4" to 1/2" PVC reducer
      • Wood dowel, cork or other plug material.
      • Drill with 1/8", 1/4" and 3/16" bits
      • Small file (jeweler's file) or equivalent
      • Sandpaper
      • Ruler
  3. Cut 3/4" PVC pipe to length.
  4. Flatten approx 1.5" at one end with file, sandpaper, (or use a router or end mill).
  5. Drill 1/4" hole at very end of tube.
  6. Drill two 1/8" holes side by side for rectangular hole
  7. Use a small file to make the hole approximately 3/16" x 5/16" wide with (optional) undercutting as in the diagram on the website.
  8. Drill finger holes.
  9. Make and install the plug.
  10. Assemble the adapters as shown on the website.

Providing a Fun Learning Experience

  1. Focus on fun, especially for children. Music education enhances skills in other area of learning.[4] Kids can learn social skills, language skills, and building skills while having fun.
  2. Have a maker party. Small children can have fun making and decorating straw and cardboard tubes for flutes, while older children and adults can learn to handle sharp implements and power tools.
  3. Organize a band. Make flutes and other instruments of different sizes and shapes and let the children (and adults) make their own music.
  4. Have the kids write their own music to go with the instruments.
  5. Create a presentation for a science or maker fair.

Things You’ll Need

  • For a Pan Flute:
    • Straws. Wide straws for milkshakes or bubble tea work best, but regular straws also work.
    • Tape. This can be any kind of tape, either masking tape, cellophane tape, or duct tape.
    • Ruler.
    • Scissors.
    • Bottles of various sizes and shapes.
  • For a Cardboard Tube Flute:
    • Empty paper towel or wrapping paper tubes.
    • Scissors or craft knife.
    • Crayons or other materials for decorating
  • For a PVC Flute:
    • 3/4" PVC (Hot/cold water) pipe
    • 1/2" PVC pipe (short length, optional)
    • 3/4" to 3/4" PVC coupler
    • 3/4" to 1/2" PVC reducer
    • Wood dowel, cork or other plug material.
    • Drill with 1/8", 1/4" and 3/16" bits.
    • Small file (jeweler's file) or equivalent
    • Sandpaper
    • Ruler

Warnings

  • When instructions call for the use of sharp tools, always be sure to take the proper precautions.
  • Always make sure children are supervised when they are using potentially harmful material like PVC.
  • Always make sure children are supervised when they are using potentially harmful tools like scissors or knives.
  • There is some concern about the safety of using PVC.[5] If you are at all uncomfortable about using PVC, use an alternative such as bamboo.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.bluebearwood.co.uk/bottle-blowing-music/
  2. ↑ http://www.musicrevitalizationproject.org/about.html
  3. ↑ B. H. Suits, Physics Department, Michigan Technological University, (copyright 1998-2015). Retrieved from http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/naflute.html
  4. ↑ http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education
  5. ↑ http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/the-vinyl-debate.

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