How to make a PVC DIY transverse flute - Tutorial
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- Опубліковано 4 лют 2025
- Tutorial for a 20mm PVC pipe transerve flute in A Major,
you can find and download the blueprint from this video here : / 46918629
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I'm Nicolas Bras, musician and homemade instruments builder, on this channel you will find tutorials, compositions, building projects, improvisations, live concerts
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Music :
Nicolas Bras - Tounda (unedited)
Nicolas Bras - Guyane, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Multisoufflant, Homemade (album)
Sandrine Morais : assistant director in the workshop, video editing
I used to make professional orchestral flutes for several new england manufacturers and operated my own flute repair shop for a decade after that. And I have to say - you really nailed the design of this. You zeroed in on the most important fundamentals of what makes a flute work, and leaned into that pre-boehm sound. The scale sounds great. The cut of the headjoint sounds great. And if I had my eyes closed I would have guessed this was boxwood.
Oh, thanks a lot!
yes, i have been playing flutes for decades and want to try new things but can't affords them - i've made some transverse and overtone flutes watching this guy
Pre boehim?
I gotta intake this knowledge
I’ve been using pandemic projects to try to remote teach people that creating music is accessible and this video and your passion for it is really inspiring
thanks!
@@NicolasBrasI Want to make a fife flute cpvc in C, buta I haven't measures.can you help me.?
Thanks for sharing. I have seen this one before and was happy to see it again. I have done over 100 DIY flutes, inspired by your early videos. I made them out of PVC and some local bamboo. My favorite was a bass bansuri with a diameter of about 1.25 inches. I played it at the Memory Care Clinic with Alzheimer's patients and it brought them back to life and then deeply relaxed them. It is wonderful to make these instruments and always feels like a miracle that one can take a PVC pipe and make it sound beautiful. I also added a simulated wood finish that actually temporarily fooled a few people,, including some owners of a music store that actually put a few up for sale and sold them (they thought the simulated wood look was classy).
I am from Ethiopia, and our music is almost all pentatonic and your pentatonic scale is amazing!!
Amazing how simple and cheap you create instruments and how good they sound on the other hand is your skill at every instruments, its really interessting
Thanks!
One more thing that is important: the distance between the center of the blowing hole and the cork that closes the tube should be equal to the inside diameter of the tube.
If the distance is bigger the high notes will sound flat and/or the holes for the higher notes will have to be wider.
Except that, amazing amazing amazing tutorial, thanks so much.
Suprisingly straightforward, and sounds better then my Recorder ever did.
thanks!
9
can't wait to play *hot cross buns*! (until I can do JethroTull)
@@simsim4142 ae
So
You said to carefully remove material off the end, but I was hacking off 2-3 mm at a time until I got an A. I'm not too familiar with pipe but mine was rather thick with a PSI rating, so it must've been for water. I just happened across your video and thought it'd be fun to try since I haven't played an instrument in years even though they're just siting there in the other room. Needless to say, even idiots can follow these instructions, so good on on you! :)
this was absolutely epic at 0.5 speed sir thank you alot for your work happy new year :D
He does talk fast
duuuude, this is insaaaane! this is super creative and super interesting.. also the sheer amount of hours you put into it... just hats off, man!
Thanks a lot!
What would the dimensions be for the key of C? 26 inch?
tres bien........amazing ...this is what happens when a engineer is a musician as well. Brilliant. no words to the perfection. God bless you . fantastic video
nailed it bro video was short but full of information thanks a lot, keep it up
Thanks!
Good idea, how to do flute in PVC pipes good information, i am also try this in home, God bless you, thank you for sharing this video
Thanks!
No tenes un canal en youtube con tus composiciones musicales para escuchar ? Se nota que sos un gran artista, gracias por compartir tu trabajo. Saludos
You are a gift to music, thank you
That’s the greatest sounding plastic pipe I’ve ever heard
I’ve made one have had made a tune and very proud and astonished!
mec c'est juste énorme ce que tu fais. je t'ai vu dans une video ou tu en montre plein. c'est juste hallucinant ! gg continue !
Merci! Je vais continuer, c'est le début!
hey man, love your vids, i took flute making as a hobby in 2019 (a good thing out of quarentine) and im now printing fipples in my 3d printer, they sound sooooooo good, you should try, my pvc fujara sounds like 300% better
Oh yes I have to try, it tempts me more and more!
This is real creativity.
Awesome, I'm going to make a flute! And btw, you rock on it man.
thanks!
Absolutely fucking amazing! I really hope you keep making tutorials. Thanks for upgrading the world :)
I will!
YES! another flute. keep making flutes bro!! that's my favorite instrument, and you play it well!!
nice.
good job.
Thanks, I'll keep making , there so many more I didn't try!
Thanks! This was super inspirational. I like how you monitor the notes with each step and adjust the lengths and shape. I'm going to thumbs up and subscribe to help you and your channel!
Thanks man. You are a legend
Absolutely AMAZING!
Thanks!
Il faut aussi savoir jouer comme vous!! 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼
awesome,👍
wouldn't it be great to make a Bass Sax, or a Bass whistle tone with large diameter pipes/ bamboo
Wow, I am inspired.
Vous êtes un génie monsieur ! Merci !
Grand merci!
Amazing!❤
Thank you!
My next instrument will be DIY and probably a flute like this (or a panflute).
I never played flute before, so have no idea how good this would work for learning though.
I have a question. I have a stick, and if I were to apply the same measurements would it still work?
This is very cool and a good way to start playing for only a couple of euros ! I'll have to take a look at your other vids :)
Favorite app
I love how simple yet effective all your instruments are!! I’m a big fan of your work! In fact, I’m trying making a flute from bamboo. When I began drilling and tuning finger holes, about 3 holes in and I can’t seem to make the note change. No matter how much I enlarge it. What could be the problem? I’ve got other pieces so, Im prepared to start from scratch. Thank you!
Without seeing the instrument it's hard to tell! The important elements are the block, the place of the mouthpiece, the shape of the pipe, and the size of the holes... Every elements!
@@NicolasBras Ok. Thanks anyways! I’ll just keep experimenting!
Great video, waste no time, right on point. Keep it up.
I really like your channel, the beautiful sound of the instruments. Thank you so much for your work. So I decided to make a transverse flute too. Please tell me what diameter of the lip hole is needed for a pipe with an outer diameter of 25mm and an inner diameter of 22 mm.
Super bien expliqué ! Bravo
Ps: Le son à la fin défonce !
Merci!
I want to see an entire band playing this style of instruments
Blue Man group
yes, super comme vidéo
j'ai trop hâte d'essayé
merci!
Are there any ways to get closer to a full chromatic range without adding much keywork? Maybe using the recorder fingering system.
You can't really use the recorder fingering, because holes have to be bigger on a side-blown flute, it would be possible to add some keys, but out of my range! And I love playing 6 holes flutes
@@NicolasBras what about traditional fife fingerings? Don’t people get nearly-chromatic ranges out of 6 hole Irish flutes?
I recently got a Yamaha “fife”, but it’s really more of a keyless piccolo. 8 holes, no keys, in C. Nearly chromatic range! It costs $10 - you should check it out if you haven’t seen it.
I assume you tune yours with the first finger on the right hand fingering F sharp, not natural like on a concert flute?
Nice one ! Thanks for sharing , this is golden !! 🎉
Finally one that's specific 😀
Does your book include how to calculate the holes for different flutes? I plan on picking it up weather it does or not :)
No magical formula to calculate the holes from scratch, but all the techniques to understand the physics, and build new ones from all the blueprints included!
Ndnkjxxhdd
@@NicolasBras CNN video b no v
Pp
Lol
I'm
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Probably the only pvc pipe that could be maded as any instrument you want
Nice i Will make One.
I like to whistle so it's a perfect instrument for me.
I love you, man!
Hi there, love your work and your channel 😊
I tried making my own transverse flute following precisely your instructions, and it is quite nice (doesn't sound as good as yours, but I'm no flute player so there's that ahah), but when I get into the high register it is awfully out of tune (sounds almost like a chromatic scale), any idea why and how it can be fixed ?
My tuning wasn't accurate, I fixed it my best but now most of the notes one the second octave are almost flat
I saw online that some people build special wedges to make their flute pseudo-conical and so sharper, but I assume you did not and still your flute is perfectly in tune 🤔
I will try making another one but I would really appreciate your opinion on these issues I'm facing
As I said, I really enjoy your videos and your music 🙂
On those small transverse flutes the playing technique is very sensitive on the pitch, so if your holes are big enough, I think it is the blowing technique !
@@NicolasBras ok I will work on it, thank you for your insights 😊
As a Percussionist..
I’m heading to homedepo for PCP pipe.
I came to flutes with percussions too!
Wow, your video content is really wonderful.
Thanks a lot!
Thanks so much for this. I want to make a giant flute but it's not a straight pipe.
Is it all about area of space inside the instrument? It doesnt have to be a perfect cylinder?
Also if there is something blocking the end of the flute but with holes in it will it still make the note?
Like if horns had a cross brace inside to keep the bell from getting crushed would that stop the note? Or just mute the tone a bit?
i want to cosplay my avatar character from a fantasy videogame one day soon, and he plays the flute so i thought itd be cool if i could make a functional one! your video is amazing, thank you for all the specs, im so hyped to craft it
Have fun!
Impressionnant, multi-talents, vous assurez grave...et aiguë aussi...Hum.
Avez-vous expérimenté avec un bec de sax ?
Encore bravo pour tour votre travail .
J'ai fabriqué quelques clarinettes PVC, j'en ai parlé sur mon Patreon, mais rien avec bec de sax pour l'instant!
interesting point: the second hole is bigger and the third is smaller. it is because if they both would be same with the others than they would be too close to each other and would be difficult to play. this way they are sort of equidistant for convenience.
Are you stating a fact, or offering a theory ? I've always thought it was either because the diameter differences helped various notes play or sound better, OR maybe just to let you know where your fingers were, but I don't know which.
I want this 😮 how find this flute help us
Thanks Nicholas
Nice project 😎
Thanks!
Thanks a lot Sir. Please i will love to know the name of the tool you used to clean the drilled holes before using the round file
C’est malin ! Tu me donnes envie de créer un instrument et d’en jouer !
C'est l'idée!
i love your channel :D
Hey mate, thank you so much for the straight forward tutorial!!!
-Do the holes have to be ib one line or could yoy arrange them to fit the the fingers.
-can the holes be different diameter, lets say having pa and sa a bit smaller?
Cheers mate:)
Cool to see now. Great video now! Keep up the good work now! Be well now!
thanks!
Can you build a pvc bagpipe practice chanter? Would be really cool
Sounds really nice I made one last week definitely doesn't compare to yours I need to try your version
Are the measurements in millimeters from the flutes opening?
Thanks for sharing Nicolas!! I have a doubt: why do youbuse that extra pvc for the blowing piece? Why noy just make a hole in the body pvc? Also, do you make a "bezel" (don't know if it is the right word, I mean like a sharp, cutting edge, as you see in quenas or shakuhachi 's) where you blow?
Do you have the ID and OD of the pipe you're using? Or the actual designation such as PN10 or PN16 so I can try to figure out the best size equivelant in imperial pvc sizes? Or would it not work correctly anyhow if the pipe size isn't exact? Would only the hole size change or the spacing as well??
Have you done an instrument with a conical bore, like an oboe?
Not so much, I'm not able to make perfect conical bore for now, maybe in a few times with 3d printing?
@@NicolasBras Perhaps slicing a wedge from a pipe lengthwise and use rings of pipe to force it into a conical shape. You may need to use a heat gun to make it more pliable. I don't know what tool would be best for cutting a pipe lengthwise.
@@LudicrousTachyon The Clarke Tin Whistle (clarketinwhistle.com) is a reverse conical whistle (i.e. shaped like a recorder) made by curling a tapered sheet of metal.
You could use plastic if you can find some that's stiff enough but still bends well. The difficult part is joining it neatly.
FWIW, if you look down the bore of a Nuvo student flute (an inexpensive fully chromatic plastic concert flute) , you see seams - they're not perfectly round, or smooth, and neither is the Clarke. It doesn't seem to be a major problem.
Do you give a way some of your Collection?? I really want to have a C flute PVC pipe.. thank you for your knowledge and sharing it for us... God blessed you always..
What would be the project to imitate an Oriental Dizi flute?
I made a few buzzing flutes, I will talk about in a future video!
You're smart. I like you🙏💯💪
Great stuff!
So nice and sounds beautiful! Nicolas - would the same measurements work out for a renaissance cornetto?
Probably not, it would be not so far, but I think the inside of the pipe is a lot smaller than this flute
@@NicolasBras Thanks. One day ... I will try it. Somewhere I have the file for a 3D printed cornetto - it might be possible to adapt those.
Awesome work, and the other instruments you built, genial!
Thank you!
BRAVO.... GENIAL. Like and subscrition.
Welcome!
The thing I don't understand is when you change the diameter and the tuning. are the holes measured from the end of the flute the same but the lenght of the pipe is longer for a deeper sound?
so holes are from the end 61 , 91, 114, 148, 175, 200 ?
I would like to make the D Major one. 25mm pipe
i am curious is keyless bass flutes exsist were you use you arm to cover on hole and youhand he second, on a bend bass flute, as jt would allow youto play more notes, does it exsist?
Great video. What is the name of that tool you use with the red handle to cut the holes? Thanks
He says it haha, "deburrer", it's just there to finish the holes (deburr, as the name says)
@@LorenziLéo ah ha yes he does and thank you sir!
Hello, I have a question, is there a ring around the blow hole (seems like it) and is the hole diameter 9,5 mm diameter?
Un orificio en la parte de atrás mejoraría el sonido, a qué distancia lo colocaría? gracias 👍
Fantástico ! La suscripción en Patreon solo se puede con tarjeta de crédito?
Let me get this right, are you tuning to harmonics or SI notes?
Dyou play them more like a classical flute or like a folk (say a Irish folk) flute?
I think it's closer to a folk flute!
Sounds great!! What inside diameter pipe is this flute?
The inside is 17mm!
Respected sir,I humbly request you to convert this video in indian national language (hindi).
Could you make the mouth piece section and the fingerhole section separate with a pvc connection between them to make scales interchangeable? Bring a real bag of tricks to the gig ?
Sure, I do this a lot!
Hi sir nice video but any reaction on human body,i mean any problem create on luugs. ,,After blowing pvc pipe
PLEASE HELP! I attempted to make one of these, and the upper registers were very out of tune, how to fix that?
Great contents Nicolas! Do you have a list of tools needed to build these whistles? I would like to purchase a basic package and try making some of your projects :)
I detailled all the tools I use in my ebook, but you can start with very simple tools!
you are amazing!
hi there, i could only find a 19mm tube in the store, will it sound the same if i follow the instructions or will it be out of tune?
Yes it should work!
Nine... Our Indian or Bangladesh syam flute....i like it
good video
Thank you so much....
how do you calculate the hole positions for other keys? especially the bass flutes with right angle connectors
Can you create a pvc pipe whistle when water goes through it sounds?
Hey man, can you please make a kaval, thats a Bulgarian type flute with an open end, you can check in google, ive tried but havent succeeded.
I made a few, but not a specialist!
@@NicolasBras can you give me any advice?
where's the book? I wanna buy it
Available on my Patreon, www.patreon.com/nicolasbras
in Indian flutes they add one or two holes on the end of the flute. they fine tune it without cutting off the end. I like it cut off too. just an idea i saw. maybe someone wants to try.
Great content