It's just easy.
1. Choose a flute size
2. Choose a tube: (sizes in mm)
The Flute Tube
The length of the tube is roughly decided by the
flute’s low note, which is also its “key.” The longer
the flute, the lower that note. This measurement is
for the flute interior only--in other words, from the
open end of the tube, up to the stopper.
The inside diameter (I.D.) of the tube--the distance
between the tube walls--must vary with the length,
for the sake of range and octave tuning. Longer
tubes should be wider. For a simple flute, the best
ratio of I.D. to length is about 1 to 23, or 4.35%. A
wider tube than that will favor low notes, and a
narrower tube will favor high notes. This
measurement too is shown in the table.
3. Clean the tube up:
- The wall thickness of the tube is important mostly because it determines the
depth of the finger-holes.
- A thin wall helps volume, tone, range, and octave tuning. Aim at 1/16 inch
(1.5mm) to 1/8 inch (3mm) for most materials, and never thicker than 5/32 inch (4
mm).
Step 4:
Metric ruler in millimeters
pencil
thin stick (to find the exact depth of the tube stopper to place the mouth hole properly)
burning tool: I use double headed nails driven into a wooden
dowel handle (a piece of old broomstick will do), and then
cut the top head off with a hacksaw.
gas camp stove
sharp knife
Step 5:
cheap electronic instrument tuner: I am using a and a.
hacksaw with 10” blade and 10 teeth / inch (rotate the tube as you cut to keep from knocking
splinters out of the bottom edge of the tube)
Step 6:
measuring chart
good metric yardstick in millimeters
burning tool
gas camp stove
sharp knife
electronic instrument tuner (or a good set of ears)
Step 7:
damp cloth
fine sandpaper
hemp twine
beeswax
natural furniture polish or oil (olive, walnut, orange)
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