Hi Charlie, I have made 2 of the 5 hole flutes with the air supply plate that work pretty well, although not tuned to your obvious abilities. They do play. I have made 5 of the 4 hole Cherokee flutes, but cannot get the air supply plug formed or set to get any sound. I will keep trying. I do have pictures. Thanks for posting these videos. I watched 5 of your videos which really pointed out details that helped make the 5 hole flutes. I just wanted to thank you for being the keeper of this knowledge, and passing it along.
You are such a master! I’m learning so much from your videos. Your humbleness and dedication in sharing is remarkable. I just ordered your book. Thank you so much for the inspiration brother. Much love from Portugal. ❤️
I've been learning how to make playable Native American-style and 'penny whistle'-type flutes for some months now, -still learning much. Mostly I have been working with PVC pipes for budget reasons, -still getting good results. Recently I became interested in 'branch flutes' and from the videos I've seen, have envisioned my own methods to achieve my own using exotic wood. Your videos have gone a long way to teach, inspire and yes, entertain. I spend many minutes every day watching and re-watching videos such as yours, gaining insight every time I return...
I just watched a video with you and my cuz Billy Whitefox. The making of an alligator leg bone. Great video. I’ve always knew we had Choctaw Indian in us until Billy did some background work and found out we also have Creek in our veins. I’ve always wondered why I was always interested in making traditional native flutes. I’ve recently started making flutes and I’m glad I did. I love wood working to begin with. I’ve just finished a log bed for my home. Now I have a low A flute outa bamboo and thanks to your videos it turned out pretty good for my first flute. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve built some of your burning tools which comes really handy. Thanks again for the great information.
Very well done, voicing that flute. I have made a few of the bamboo flutes but it is a real pain in the backside. Glad you have a good process down and was glad to hear what it sounded like. Sounds just dandy.
Thanks for your question. Though my greek is a little rusty and I don't join and 'flute groups' I believe you are asking about the true sound hole. To give you an idea of how thick I make mine, the terminology I have always used to call that area is the 'knife edge'. Honestly on 99% of our flutes, that area is as thin as a razor blade.
Hi i just cut some bamboo but i kind a nervous i don t know where start making the holes and measurement I am watching your videos which really helping me out calm down cause i am so excited start making native american flutes :-D will share my playing on them as i make one I play instruments my dad was bamboo flute musician :) Thank you for sharing!
Love the sound of this flute! Could I make this with bamboo? What is the black piece inside the track? Is that something you put in yourself or part of the wood inside? Sorry I am just starting out with this. This is all new to me.
The air column can swing without any vibration of the knife edge. Some shakuhachis even got massive iron knife edges for preventing this kind of vibration.
i made my first flute and it sounds too low. It makes sonud but it's almost inaudible, why it's happening?? is there a way to make it louder without changing its "tunning"??
HI Charlie! First off id like to say thank you for your gift to mankind by teaching people your craft without the need of compensation, that is the mark of a great teacher and human being. In 2005 I bought my very first flute from you, a river cane flute with a beautiful voice. Honestly that flute saved my life as I have been struggling with depression most my life, and that flute is magical in its ability to make me happy, and has lead me to flute making which had brought me much happiness.
Here is what I find interesting about the way you are shaping your channels. Wind speeds up when it goes around a corner. (If it didn't it would make a vacuume) so by curving the end of your channel by the air chamber it actually speeds up your air going over your sound hole with having to blow harder. I think that's fabulous.
that's a good question and although I wish I could give a better analogy it's probably best said that it helps to direct the air more evenly at at target. The difference between using a rifle and a shotgun.
Hi, I've made six wooden flutes with the aid of your book and videos and a couple of bamboo flutes. they all play well. I noticed that the block on on bamboo flutes is often semi-permanently installed--presumably because the mouth end of the flute is open and dries out easily without removing the block. is there any advantage to the narrow opening into the slow air chamber that wooden flutes have? I find that blowing the open end of the bamboo flute very natural and comfortable. I'm tempted to make my wooden flutes with the same full bore opening. would I be losing something in performance?
sometimes thinness may not be so much the key as direction and in our flute's cases what "path the air has been on"... that is to say we make tracks that are usually 1" to 1.5" long compared to the many flute makers who send the air screaming down a .25" long channel. one thing that you might appreciate that we like to do to our flutes' air channel is buff it lightly with super fine steel wool - it seems to do wonders! Thanks again for messaging~ :)
doing it the math way can be fun, but I have an "old-school" way that I think may make sense to everyone. it kinda reminds me of how herbal extracts contained within medications sometimes lead to side effects that simply taking the original plant or mineral wouldn't have... :) not to mention, but what self-respecting people would drill a 6th hole and not ever use it? more explanation of this in our upcoming video on the subject.
Thanks for all the good work you do Charlie! Every once in a while I end up making a flute that breaks into the next octave on the top/highest note. I can’t figure out why this happens as I make them the same way as all the others. Do you know what went wrong? Could it be something to do with the sound hole? Thank you for your insight.
this is first blue bear arts video I saw, and how I found out about blue bear flutes. which I bought two of, a river cane and sawgrass. the river cane turned out to be most useable outdoors and is on majority of videos I have made of me playing on flute walks.
Tried a narrow bamboo flute. Went through the steps but didnt work. I reviewed this video. It seems the distance between the holes is not so important but it seems the level ( height) of the channel must be made so the incoming air flow bisects the distal edge of the far hole. Please advise if this is the case. Thus the channel depth will vary depending on the height of the trailing edge of the far hole. Also does one use 1/4 inch finger holes even if the flute is only 5/8 inch diameter? Hoping you will reply. Thank you.
Yours is the first flute I've seen of river cane. It is so cool to be able to see how you used the natural node in the cane for the wall between chambers, just like the ancient Indian flutes. Wow.
It doesn't affect it much at all. It only adds a small bit of density for vibrations to absorb through which most people could not even here! Nearly the same thing could be accomplished by tying pieces of wood to the outside of the flute as well. The change would be similar to the effect of hanging a picture in an otherwise barren room to change its acoustics.
I once bought a flute low D in 432hz, the pitch is too low to play toghether with other instruments. Would i able to get the pitch to 440hz on every note by cutting a piece of the end of the flute? It's just an idea i'm not a pro. please help if you can :) Thanks a lot
Hello and thanks for your comment and request. I think I would like to do a video on Bass Flutes. Please subscribe as we have a lot of new videos coming in the New Year!
You said you use a fortsner (sp) bit to smooth/level the wood from the sound hole to the slow air chamber. How can that be? Fortsner bit has a centering bit that extends below the leveling part of the bit. It seems you would have narrow slit down the middle. Advise.
I just attempted my first flute because I watched your videos. yup I messed up the sit channel Lol. well just like Thomas Edison said. I just learned a way not to make it! awesome video thank you buddy!
This vid was helpful thanks for posting. Have been teaching myself to make flutes, but found the windways to be a bit confusing and this helped. Was a little obsessed about how deep to make the channel, angles and shape of holes etc etc. Seems by what you said there isn't really a ''right'' way ..thats kinda nice. been a little frustrated. My main goal is to make native norwegian flutes(where I live) they are made different( like your cherokee 4 hole whistle) but I can''t get it to sound..yet :) anywho thanks again for your vids, really invaluable
To be honest with you, good wood and ideal would maybe in the eyes of the beholder. In your area, there may be woods that historically were used however typically most native people did not use hardwoods in their hardwood form. In my experience, woods like Maple would only have been used as a sapling. Otherwise, I'd recommend the willow since it is going to be the easiest to carve!
Hey Jack! Thanks for your interest in our flutes! The one playing on my videos is a "key of D" western cedar flute. I really like western cedar flutes, they have a very mellow sound. If you are interested in one please feel free to contact me from my website bluebearflutes·com
hello there. i have been playing an inexpensive native flute for awhile now. I have been watching your youtube and learning from you for a while now. but am in the market for a better quality flue. i want a deeper sounding flute.( sorry but i am self taught and never learned the notes.) what would you recommend or charge for a nice one of yous. I want to play traditional native music but mine is too high pitched. thx for your time and you tube vids, thax again
Очень хорошее видео, вы хорошо рассказываете про то, как делать свистковую часть, очень жаль, что нет русского перевода. Хотелось бы лучше понимать, какое правильное расположение ножа и воздуховода должно быть для хорошего звука.. Спасибо
Pretty much open. I say that because some are almost closed, but usually for tuning purposes. If this type of flute was closed on the end, most of the notes will not sound correctly. :)
My flute has low air pressure. The volume is kind of low and after playing for like 5 minutes the moisture avoid me to keep playing, even if I blow the humidity off the flute. Any tips to increase the air pressure?
I do have a few other videos on that however I imagine this must be a flute that you made? If so, please send a picture of the track area through my website.
Hi Chris...I found a 6 hole flute and it doesn't have a block...I know nothing about flutes and thout I'd ask you...it has D L O'Neal signnature burned into it, I assume it's the maker...under that is the letter A, which I assume is the key...Anyway, is there any special block needed or just one that fits in the track...unlike yours, it isn't flat on top...Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
+Mark Gray Hi Mark, it does sound like it is the maker based on your description. If you could please contact me via facebook (facebook.com/bluebear.arts) or my website so I can see a picture of the flute and from there I can tell you what type of block you would need? Thanks for watching!
Very good INFO. Thanks for your time and effort. Here is a little "tip" to pay you back --- Use a bean-bag to hold your camera on the dashboard of your car and do your videos inside with the windows rolled up. It fixes a bunch of stuff all at once, Lighting is better, Sound is better, Outside noise at a minimum. Thanks again.
Nice!!! I been learning the flute for a few weeks now n I would like to make my own.. these videos are very inspiring for me to make my own.. sweet thanks man
do you have video, or where can i find information where to drill the finger holes, also what is minimum length can be of the NAF?, ive made flute i think it was to short also i made few critical mistakes just it become fancy fire wood hahaha now just gathering more information
I do have quite a few videos on where to place the fingerings, I have a book for sale with all of that information in standard and metric measurements and and making a new video on that right now! Thanks for watching, please check out my channel and subscribe for more videos to come!
Hey my friend, don't give up. There is absolutely a trick to it. That is why I made this video. I do have hundreds of other videos on making native american flutes and of course I could look at yours and tell you what is going on however it may save us both a moment if you wanted to check out any of my other videos. I will tell you however most people rely on this one for its purpose.
I'm trying to figure out how he's blowing into what seems like a large radius hole. You don't put your lips over the end like a recorder, obviously. So, what then? Approach like a tuba mouthpiece without the buzzing lips?
Yes. Harder wood will have a brighter, higher sound as it absorbs less vibrations but rather reflects them preserving more of the overtones of the note being played. In contrast, softer wood absorbs more of the overtones yet leaves the undertones resulting in a more mellow, lower, almost flat sounding note. Many will recommend a harder wood for lower flutes such as a mid range e(4) through a low b(3) (or lower) and softer woods for a higher flute so that it's not too high and chirpy; however, it is entirely a matter of preference as one may enjoy the soothing calm of a soft bass flute or the cheery chirp of a high flute. I would recommend trying to hear this difference by looking up different videos, but I personally prefer a harder wood for any key to preserve the balance of the notes.
I guess it matters what end the angle is on the air valve? My first one my first attempt my angle is on opposite end. I need more focused attention on air valve. What about the mouth piece does it matter the size of that matter. I’m just think of the common flutes from school have a small entry for air to go in
with a small piece of super 0000 fine steel wool in hand, rub it back and forth on the air channel/track area. this could be referred to as the sprinkles on the icing on the cake. it's that extra 5% that gives it a little smoother and less frictional area for the air to travel through. even if I wax the channel, I still prefer wool first. by using it, it is stripping away micro-fine frictional particles that would normally slow the air down slightly. I'll probably show it in an upcoming video;).
I just started watching videos on flute making. Looking for something thing to attempt. I have noticed that after listening on the making of Chinese flutes or Japanese flutes and Native American flutes that the tones that come out of the Native American flutes put my mind at ease. That might sound odd and I don't know why it does that. I don't know anything about tuning a flute but might visit your web site and look around to see if you have books on the subject. I do have one question. With the soothing and haunting tones of the flute have you ever played Amazing Grace with a flute?
You can bet I’ll be watching out for the new videos. I subscribed on the first video I watched. I have searched around UA-cam for flute making and yours was the only ones that was on top of the history and information from the traditional American Indian flutes. And when I seen some of your homemade hand tools, being the person I am from The backwoods, I made some like yours. I’m still looking for some river cane around here and all I can get is Japanese bamboo. Which is fine. I know a place on a creek back home in Silas Alabama close to an old Choctaw camp , that grows some nice river cane. I have cut all my cedar boards and they are drying. So I’ll be trying some cedar as well. I live in the northeastern part of Georgia now on yohna mountain, where an old Cherokee camp was in Sautee. Thanks again Charlie. I’ll tell Billy hello.
Hi, I'm constructing my own flute. I'm not sure what you call the top of the flute before you glue the mouth piece on, but I wanted to know how far from that end do I go down the flute to start the nest area? Also, what dimensions should I make the nest? I see it has a rectangular shape.
Hi, I noticed your Moundville shirt in this video. I live about 20 minutes from there. Just curious as to where you were located and if you attend the Moundville festive every year?
+Kevin McDonald Hi Kevin, thanks for the message :) I don't live in Moundville (yet) and yes I have attended the festival and did perform for the last few years. We did not make it this year, however have plans of returning again next October. My family and I have a close relationship with Moundville and if you get a chance to visit the museum you can see one of my flutes on permanent display being 'played' by one of the mannequins in the marriage procession and also they sell my flutes and whistles in their gift shop.
Lots of practice! I have other videos on that as well as a book "The Art Of Native American Flute Making" that I've written about it! bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making
The pine flute you mentioned with the long channel; I can't find any images because I was curious to see what it looks like. It's hard to picture in my mind-- any suggestions of where I can find a picture of it?
If I recall, that one is in a "Time" series of books on Native American culture which means it's probably in one of 2 museum's collections - either Museum of the American Indian in DC or Museum in St. Paul. Wish I could be of more help.
Absolutely! One of our recent videos shows me using a "sapling" and a dowel could easily be used as well. I will have an upcoming video on making flutes of miscellaneous materials.
Absolutely! That is actually one of the only natural ways to make a flute stronger. Burning the holes, the ends or even the whole flute helps sometimes! Always be careful though, fire can be dangerous on a large or even a small scale it can change the sound of the flute almost completely.
ua-cam.com/video/O2gTLcxku2E/v-deo.html check this video out, if you need more I have two or three other videos with regards to making and repairing a track that is already too deep. Thanks for watching!
I really would like to make one , but I don't have the tools you have , like drills . electric saws.. how did the Native Americans make them back in the day , they had no ..todsy tools .. Can you tell me ..if you know.. I imagin you do.. how can I make on without the modern tools ..also I don't have river wood or such just alot of pine trees here .. please let me know how can I do this..thank you.. sondra
Sondra, we actually do have a video on making one of these flutes without the use of power tools. Here is the link: How to make a Native American flute without modern tools Please check all of our videos for helpful tips and information. If you have any questions please feel free to visit my website www.bluebearflutes.com and use the contact form.
Sondra Todd Hey sondra, i got lucky and found some nice bamboo this weekend but i just watched another video showing alternatives and apparently pvc is a good option. its cheap, uniform. Home depot/lowes and other garden supply stores sometimes sell dryed bamboo poles of varying diameters for garden poles and decor etc that i imagine would work as well.
I live in Auburn California. I tried to look up where I can build my own flute. I collect wood for walking sticks, and have wondered about making a flute or two. I need equipment I do not have for hollowing out and etc. Do you have information of a flute guild or a place I might look into?
this is my first time gonna be trying to build my own flute :)
Let me know how they turned out!
Hi Charlie, I have made 2 of the 5 hole flutes with the air supply plate that work pretty well, although not tuned to your obvious abilities. They do play. I have made 5 of the 4 hole Cherokee flutes, but cannot get the air supply plug formed or set to get any sound. I will keep trying. I do have pictures. Thanks for posting these videos. I watched 5 of your videos which really pointed out details that helped make the 5 hole flutes. I just wanted to thank you for being the keeper of this knowledge, and passing it along.
You are such a master! I’m learning so much from your videos. Your humbleness and dedication in sharing is remarkable. I just ordered your book.
Thank you so much for the inspiration brother.
Much love from Portugal. ❤️
Obrigado meu amigo. Estou estudando português há algum tempo. Visitarei Portugal assim que estiver mais proficiente! Obrigado por assistir!
I've been learning how to make playable Native American-style and 'penny whistle'-type flutes for some months now, -still learning much. Mostly I have been working with PVC pipes for budget reasons, -still getting good results. Recently I became interested in 'branch flutes' and from the videos I've seen, have envisioned my own methods to achieve my own using exotic wood. Your videos have gone a long way to teach, inspire and yes, entertain. I spend many minutes every day watching and re-watching videos such as yours, gaining insight every time I return...
I just watched a video with you and my cuz Billy Whitefox. The making of an alligator leg bone. Great video. I’ve always knew we had Choctaw Indian in us until Billy did some background work and found out we also have Creek in our veins. I’ve always wondered why I was always interested in making traditional native flutes. I’ve recently started making flutes and I’m glad I did. I love wood working to begin with. I’ve just finished a log bed for my home. Now I have a low A flute outa bamboo and thanks to your videos it turned out pretty good for my first flute. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve built some of your burning tools which comes really handy. Thanks again for the great information.
Thank you for watching John! We have a lot of new videos coming out that I know you will love. Be sure to subscribe. Also tell Billy I said hi!
Very well done, voicing that flute. I have made a few of the bamboo flutes but it is a real pain in the backside. Glad you have a good process down and was glad to hear what it sounded like. Sounds just dandy.
I always wondered how a flute worked. Thanks Charlie.
And there are so many types of flutes too!
Thanks for your question. Though my greek is a little rusty and I don't join and 'flute groups' I believe you are asking about the true sound hole. To give you an idea of how thick I make mine, the terminology I have always used to call that area is the 'knife edge'. Honestly on 99% of our flutes, that area is as thin as a razor blade.
Thanks Charlie for sharing this awesome video
Hi i just cut some bamboo but i kind a nervous i don t know where start making the holes and measurement I am watching your videos which really helping me out calm down cause i am so excited start making native american flutes :-D will share my playing on them as i make one I play instruments my dad was bamboo flute musician :) Thank you for sharing!
Hey Fati! I hope you are still making flutes. I'm looking forward to seeing them!
Love the sound of this flute! Could I make this with bamboo? What is the black piece inside the track? Is that something you put in yourself or part of the wood inside? Sorry I am just starting out with this. This is all new to me.
All good questions! I have tons more videos to answer them! Please share/like/subscribe!
This was great help! Thank-you!
very good videos charlie I'm starting one thanks for the info
A fine video - I guess I'll have to check out your other stuff too! ;)
The air column can swing without any vibration of the knife edge. Some shakuhachis even got massive iron knife edges for preventing this kind of vibration.
i made my first flute and it sounds too low. It makes sonud but it's almost inaudible, why it's happening?? is there a way to make it louder without changing its "tunning"??
and it overblows really easly too btw.
HI Charlie! First off id like to say thank you for your gift to mankind by teaching people your craft without the need of compensation, that is the mark of a great teacher and human being. In 2005 I bought my very first flute from you, a river cane flute with a beautiful voice. Honestly that flute saved my life as I have been struggling with depression most my life, and that flute is magical in its ability to make me happy, and has lead me to flute making which had brought me much happiness.
terimakasih tuan....mudah mudahan kita bisa berbagi ilmu tentang alat tiup..
Another question. The finger holes. I see you did five, is there a reason? I think I need to watch more of your videos.
Here is what I find interesting about the way you are shaping your channels. Wind speeds up when it goes around a corner. (If it didn't it would make a vacuume) so by curving the end of your channel by the air chamber it actually speeds up your air going over your sound hole with having to blow harder. I think that's fabulous.
that's a good question and although I wish I could give a better analogy it's probably best said that it helps to direct the air more evenly at at target. The difference between using a rifle and a shotgun.
I like the way you explain it grate video
Thonks! Be sure to check out my other videos!
Hi, I've made six wooden flutes with the aid of your book and videos and a couple of bamboo flutes. they all play well. I noticed that the block on on bamboo flutes is often semi-permanently installed--presumably because the mouth end of the flute is open and dries out easily without removing the block. is there any advantage to the narrow opening into the slow air chamber that wooden flutes have? I find that blowing the open end of the bamboo flute very natural and comfortable. I'm tempted to make my wooden flutes with the same full bore opening. would I be losing something in performance?
sometimes thinness may not be so much the key as direction and in our flute's cases what "path the air has been on"... that is to say we make tracks that are usually 1" to 1.5" long compared to the many flute makers who send the air screaming down a .25" long channel. one thing that you might appreciate that we like to do to our flutes' air channel is buff it lightly with super fine steel wool - it seems to do wonders! Thanks again for messaging~ :)
one more question, wil the lowest note be in D, G , D flat etc. depends on....... ?
doing it the math way can be fun, but I have an "old-school" way that I think may make sense to everyone. it kinda reminds me of how herbal extracts contained within medications sometimes lead to side effects that simply taking the original plant or mineral wouldn't have... :) not to mention, but what self-respecting people would drill a 6th hole and not ever use it? more explanation of this in our upcoming video on the subject.
Thanks for all the good work you do Charlie! Every once in a while I end up making a flute that breaks into the next octave on the top/highest note. I can’t figure out why this happens as I make them the same way as all the others. Do you know what went wrong? Could it be something to do with the sound hole? Thank you for your insight.
Hey Chris, thank you! Absolutely something to do with the sound hole. I'm actually about to do a video on that.
Thank you! I would so appreciate it. It’s been a big frustration as I can’t figure out why it’s happening.
this is first blue bear arts video I saw, and how I found out about blue bear flutes. which I bought two of, a river cane and sawgrass. the river cane turned out to be most useable outdoors and is on majority of videos I have made of me playing on flute walks.
Thanks brother
Tried a narrow bamboo flute. Went through the steps but didnt work. I reviewed this video. It seems the distance between the holes is not so important but it seems the level ( height) of the channel must be made so the incoming air flow bisects the distal edge of the far hole. Please advise if this is the case. Thus the channel depth will vary depending on the height of the trailing edge of the far hole. Also does one use 1/4 inch finger holes even if the flute is only 5/8 inch diameter? Hoping you will reply. Thank you.
Yes and yes. 🙂 oh, and enlarge the holes as necessary to bring in tune. (check out some of our tuning videos)
Good video but how do you make the actual piece for the channel? I have not found a single video that explains that piece.
Good video again charlie
Yours is the first flute I've seen of river cane. It is so cool to be able to see how you used the natural node in the cane for the wall between chambers, just like the ancient Indian flutes. Wow.
Does it matter how long the mouthpiece is and if so does it effect the overall sound quality?
It doesn't affect it much at all. It only adds a small bit of density for vibrations to absorb through which most people could not even here! Nearly the same thing could be accomplished by tying pieces of wood to the outside of the flute as well. The change would be similar to the effect of hanging a picture in an otherwise barren room to change its acoustics.
Wow...thank you so much.
I once bought a flute low D in 432hz, the pitch is too low to play toghether with other instruments. Would i able to get the pitch to 440hz on every note by cutting a piece of the end of the flute? It's just an idea i'm not a pro. please help if you can :) Thanks a lot
Yes, but just trim it. Little bit at a time until you reach what you are looking for. Just 1/4-3/8" should do it.
alright thank you very much for helping :)
great job keep rolling :)
it is realy great . .
Can you teach us ! How to Make a 6 hole bass Native Flute ! Not only inches cm sizes . . thanks
Hello and thanks for your comment and request. I think I would like to do a video on Bass Flutes. Please subscribe as we have a lot of new videos coming in the New Year!
I don't understand what's inside the flute. That black part is it solid all the way thru..how did you get it inside and what is it ? Please explain.
That's a great question! You'll see that in countless other videos of mine.
You said you use a fortsner (sp) bit to smooth/level the wood from the sound hole to the slow air chamber. How can that be? Fortsner bit has a centering bit that extends below the leveling part of the bit. It seems you would have narrow slit down the middle. Advise.
I just attempted my first flute because I watched your videos. yup I messed up the sit channel Lol. well just like Thomas Edison said. I just learned a way not to make it! awesome video thank you buddy!
Air* cnannel
dammit! channel*
I need help on the bamboo mouthpieces on the bamboo flute soundtrack chain bur ?
This vid was helpful thanks for posting. Have been teaching myself to make flutes, but found the windways to be a bit confusing and this helped. Was a little obsessed about how deep to make the channel, angles and shape of holes etc etc. Seems by what you said there isn't really a ''right'' way ..thats kinda nice. been a little frustrated.
My main goal is to make native norwegian flutes(where I live) they are made different( like your cherokee 4 hole whistle) but I can''t get it to sound..yet :)
anywho thanks again for your vids, really invaluable
Thanks Christopher. There are a few other videos that may help you out so please be sure to check them out.
I'm from Michigan what's a good wood. Cherry tree, maple ,oak, willow ?
To be honest with you, good wood and ideal would maybe in the eyes of the beholder. In your area, there may be woods that historically were used however typically most native people did not use hardwoods in their hardwood form. In my experience, woods like Maple would only have been used as a sapling. Otherwise, I'd recommend the willow since it is going to be the easiest to carve!
Hey Jack! Thanks for your interest in our flutes! The one playing on my videos is a "key of D" western cedar flute. I really like western cedar flutes, they have a very mellow sound. If you are interested in one please feel free to contact me from my website bluebearflutes·com
thank you! very helpful information!
aku senang melihat karya anda bisa kita kerja sama ...tuan...saya pengrajin alat tiup indonesia
+seruling nusantara Ubex
Terima kasih, saya akan senang untuk mengunjungi Indonesia beberapa waktu.
Very good! Thank you.
hello there. i have been playing an inexpensive native flute for awhile now. I have been watching your youtube and learning from you for a while now. but am in the market for a better quality flue. i want a deeper sounding flute.( sorry but i am self taught and never learned the notes.) what would you recommend or charge for a nice one of yous. I want to play traditional native music but mine is too high pitched. thx for your time and you tube vids, thax again
Thanks, Charlie.
Очень хорошее видео, вы хорошо рассказываете про то, как делать свистковую часть, очень жаль, что нет русского перевода. Хотелось бы лучше понимать, какое правильное расположение ножа и воздуховода должно быть для хорошего звука.. Спасибо
Мне жаль. У меня не было перевода на русский язык. Возможно, однажды! Спасибо за просмотр, мой друг.
“Без труда не вытащить и рыбки из пруда”
Excellent!!
Pretty much open. I say that because some are almost closed, but usually for tuning purposes. If this type of flute was closed on the end, most of the notes will not sound correctly. :)
Can these be made with bamboo? Awesome video...thanks for sharing!
+Linda Broyles Yes! Check out my video on working with cane for tips on how to prepare it for flute making: ua-cam.com/video/SEMahplDRGU/v-deo.html
My flute has low air pressure. The volume is kind of low and after playing for like 5 minutes the moisture avoid me to keep playing, even if I blow the humidity off the flute. Any tips to increase the air pressure?
I do have a few other videos on that however I imagine this must be a flute that you made? If so, please send a picture of the track area through my website.
@@BlueBearFlutes Nice! I will send you!
Hi Chris...I found a 6 hole flute and it doesn't have a block...I know nothing about flutes and thout I'd ask you...it has D L O'Neal signnature burned into it, I assume it's the maker...under that is the letter A, which I assume is the key...Anyway, is there any special block needed or just one that fits in the track...unlike yours, it isn't flat on top...Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
+Mark Gray Hi Mark, it does sound like it is the maker based on your description. If you could please contact me via facebook (facebook.com/bluebear.arts) or my website so I can see a picture of the flute and from there I can tell you what type of block you would need? Thanks for watching!
Very good INFO. Thanks for your time and effort. Here is a little "tip" to pay you back --- Use a bean-bag to hold your camera on the dashboard of your car and do your videos inside with the windows rolled up. It fixes a bunch of stuff all at once, Lighting is better, Sound is better, Outside noise at a minimum. Thanks again.
Thanks John, only I can't bring my tools into the car.
I love you! Thank you!
Does the end of the flute have to have a hole in it or can it be sealed it still plays when it's sealed
Nice!!! I been learning the flute for a few weeks now n I would like to make my own.. these videos are very inspiring for me to make my own.. sweet thanks man
Great! Let us know how it goes :) Keep watching!
thank-you for the video!
whats the difference between 5 and 6 hole flutes?
do you have video, or where can i find information where to drill the finger holes, also what is minimum length can be of the NAF?, ive made flute i think it was to short also i made few critical mistakes just it become fancy fire wood hahaha now just gathering more information
I do have quite a few videos on where to place the fingerings, I have a book for sale with all of that information in standard and metric measurements and and making a new video on that right now! Thanks for watching, please check out my channel and subscribe for more videos to come!
Gonna do some digging in your yt channel then, thank you for making these videos
@@POVMTB1 We do have hundreds of videos on making and playing the flute! Thanks again for watching and sharing!
Followed this video and thinking I might be missing a part…. Mine makes no noise is there a trick to that part that makes it?
Hey my friend, don't give up. There is absolutely a trick to it. That is why I made this video. I do have hundreds of other videos on making native american flutes and of course I could look at yours and tell you what is going on however it may save us both a moment if you wanted to check out any of my other videos. I will tell you however most people rely on this one for its purpose.
ua-cam.com/play/PLxvuaavLB7xU2-zund-fL0wPbXCGrq-B3.html&si=S4sX6VyNiV0FnG9A
I'm trying to figure out how he's blowing into what seems like a large radius hole. You don't put your lips over the end like a recorder, obviously. So, what then? Approach like a tuba mouthpiece without the buzzing lips?
He has a video about that
Thanks so much!
Do you have a video on how to make a Native American F# Double flute ?
Thanks so much!!!
Hi. Your flutes on the site. You have flutes made using different woods. Does this make any difference to the sound?
Yes. Harder wood will have a brighter, higher sound as it absorbs less vibrations but rather reflects them preserving more of the overtones of the note being played. In contrast, softer wood absorbs more of the overtones yet leaves the undertones resulting in a more mellow, lower, almost flat sounding note. Many will recommend a harder wood for lower flutes such as a mid range e(4) through a low b(3) (or lower) and softer woods for a higher flute so that it's not too high and chirpy; however, it is entirely a matter of preference as one may enjoy the soothing calm of a soft bass flute or the cheery chirp of a high flute. I would recommend trying to hear this difference by looking up different videos, but I personally prefer a harder wood for any key to preserve the balance of the notes.
I guess it matters what end the angle is on the air valve? My first one my first attempt my angle is on opposite end. I need more focused attention on air valve. What about the mouth piece does it matter the size of that matter. I’m just think of the common flutes from school have a small entry for air to go in
with a small piece of super 0000 fine steel wool in hand, rub it back and forth on the air channel/track area. this could be referred to as the sprinkles on the icing on the cake. it's that extra 5% that gives it a little smoother and less frictional area for the air to travel through. even if I wax the channel, I still prefer wool first. by using it, it is stripping away micro-fine frictional particles that would normally slow the air down slightly. I'll probably show it in an upcoming video;).
I just started watching videos on flute making. Looking for something thing to attempt. I have noticed that after listening on the making of Chinese flutes or Japanese flutes and Native American flutes that the tones that come out of the Native American flutes put my mind at ease. That might sound odd and I don't know why it does that. I don't know anything about tuning a flute but might visit your web site and look around to see if you have books on the subject.
I do have one question. With the soothing and haunting tones of the flute have you ever played Amazing Grace with a flute?
So there is a physical block between to sound holes??..an how do u put that in??
Absolutely! Also, we have hundreds of videos on the subject! ua-cam.com/users/bluebearflutes
Chris Bond, we sell flutes on our website at www.bluebearflutes.com
How tall should the air chamber be? The bamboo im using has thick walls so the little chamber before the air splits is really tall
Thanks! how did you tune your flute?
You can bet I’ll be watching out for the new videos. I subscribed on the first video I watched. I have searched around UA-cam for flute making and yours was the only ones that was on top of the history and information from the traditional American Indian flutes. And when I seen some of your homemade hand tools, being the person I am from The backwoods, I made some like yours. I’m still looking for some river cane around here and all I can get is Japanese bamboo. Which is fine. I know a place on a creek back home in Silas Alabama close to an old Choctaw camp , that grows some nice river cane. I have cut all my cedar boards and they are drying. So I’ll be trying some cedar as well. I live in the northeastern part of Georgia now on yohna mountain, where an old Cherokee camp was in Sautee. Thanks again Charlie. I’ll tell Billy hello.
Awesome
Are you still making these?
Hi, I'm constructing my own flute. I'm not sure what you call the top of the flute before you glue the mouth piece on, but I wanted to know how far from that end do I go down the flute to start the nest area? Also, what dimensions should I make the nest? I see it has a rectangular shape.
Hi, I noticed your Moundville shirt in this video. I live about 20 minutes from there. Just curious as to where you were located and if you attend the Moundville festive every year?
+Kevin McDonald Hi Kevin, thanks for the message :) I don't live in Moundville (yet) and yes I have attended the festival and did perform for the last few years. We did not make it this year, however have plans of returning again next October. My family and I have a close relationship with Moundville and if you get a chance to visit the museum you can see one of my flutes on permanent display being 'played' by one of the mannequins in the marriage procession and also they sell my flutes and whistles in their gift shop.
Id like to buy one
Double0 Destro - We do have a couple of videos on that subject! Let me know if you can't find them and I'll post the links :) Thanks for watching!
Can you use a wooden dowel to make a flute?
How did you get such thick river cane ? The stuff around me is very thin :( Can you give me a source to buy some ? Thanks for your video !
Sure! Please visit Fluteblank.com for river cane blanks of all sizes!
BlueBearArts
Thank you :)
No Problem!
Thanks!
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO PUT THE FINGER HOLES?
Lots of practice! I have other videos on that as well as a book "The Art Of Native American Flute Making" that I've written about it! bluebearflutes.com/product-page/the-art-of-native-american-flute-making
What wood did you use to make your flute?
As always, thank you Roy!
The pine flute you mentioned with the long channel; I can't find any images because I was curious to see what it looks like. It's hard to picture in my mind-- any suggestions of where I can find a picture of it?
If I recall, that one is in a "Time" series of books on Native American culture which means it's probably in one of 2 museum's collections - either Museum of the American Indian in DC or Museum in St. Paul. Wish I could be of more help.
What size bamboo would we need to make a flute?
Different sizes. I have different videos.
Absolutely! One of our recent videos shows me using a "sapling" and a dowel could easily be used as well. I will have an upcoming video on making flutes of miscellaneous materials.
Absolutely! That is actually one of the only natural ways to make a flute stronger. Burning the holes, the ends or even the whole flute helps sometimes! Always be careful though, fire can be dangerous on a large or even a small scale it can change the sound of the flute almost completely.
where do I get the bamboo ?
new subscriber!!! cherokee indian with roots in racine west virginia indian creek. if anyone has any pictures or info of the area id appreciate it
so does the distance of the sac, mouth to the block, matter?
Only to me ;)
Hi Charlie I've started making native American flute I've managed to play but not very loud and a bit airey have you any tips to eliminate this
Thanks
I do have tips on this, check out perfecting the flute tracks, the best block for a flute and probably a dozen other videos I have on the subject. 🙂
@@BlueBearFlutes thanks for the reply I've made 3 flute in the last week and there a long way from perfect but getting better each time
@@gregpow842 😀👍👍👍👍👍👍
Absolutely! We have a website that will give you some examples of the flutes we offer. Please check us out at bluebearflutes com
Огромное спасибо за ваш обучающий материал!
Спасибо за просмотр, друг мой!
How deep do you make your flue, are you consistent with each one, or do you tweak as needed?
ua-cam.com/video/O2gTLcxku2E/v-deo.html check this video out, if you need more I have two or three other videos with regards to making and repairing a track that is already too deep. Thanks for watching!
I really would like to make one , but I don't have the tools you have , like drills . electric saws.. how did the Native Americans make them back in the day , they had no ..todsy tools .. Can you tell me ..if you know.. I imagin you do.. how can I make on without the modern tools ..also I don't have river wood or such just alot of pine trees here .. please let me know how can I do this..thank you..
sondra
Sondra, we actually do have a video on making one of these flutes without the use of power tools. Here is the link: How to make a Native American flute without modern tools
Please check all of our videos for helpful tips and information. If you have any questions please feel free to visit my website www.bluebearflutes.com and use the contact form.
thank you ,now got to find this sawgrass or the other river willow , but don't think there ia any around here.
Sondra Todd
Hey sondra, i got lucky and found some nice bamboo this weekend but i just watched another video showing alternatives and apparently pvc is a good option. its cheap, uniform. Home depot/lowes and other garden supply stores sometimes sell dryed bamboo poles of varying diameters for garden poles and decor etc that i imagine would work as well.
tu
has this video been posted yet?
If so, where?
I live in Auburn California. I tried to look up where I can build my own flute. I collect wood for walking sticks, and have wondered about making a flute or two. I need equipment I do not have for hollowing out and etc. Do you have information of a flute guild or a place I might look into?