Cedar Flute

[CrashResq]

I've always had a fascination with Native American flutes and the music... several months back I sent some wood to Matt (Tribalwind) to make himself some flutes with and was hoping I'd get one but didn't hear back... I recently found an instructional DVD and decided the best way to get one is to make one . Here are a couple shots of my first official Native American, G, in cedar (and since I am a card carrying member of the Creek Nation, I can call it a Native American Flute ) Now all I have to do is learn how to play it... Matt, you still around? Got any playing instructions LOL

[ChrisD]

Beautiful work, Bill! What did you finish it with?

[GeekMom]

Very nice, Bill.

[JR]

Very pretty! FWIW - a local Chumash gets about $80 - $150 for his flutes.

LOML is a flute player, the regular silver kind. I'd like to make her one like you've done, although it wouldn't be a Native American Flute, for the reason you mentioned. How did you hollow it out the length of the flute? How did you tune it? Any tips would be helpful.

JR

[CrashResq]

Chris - the finish is 3lb cut shellac... about 6 coats, buffed between coats with 0000 steel wool. After final coat and buff, polished it with my Beal buffing wheels... just used the tripoli and wax wheels.

Thank you Karen

JR - Hollowed with a 3/4" box core bit on the router table. Done in two halves (each routed 3/8" deep) and glued together. Tuning was done with a Korg tuning gizmo that I borrowed from my best friend who happens to be a band director at a local high school. The video I found and used was "Making the Native American Style Flutes" by Bill Hughes. First time I'd made anything from a video... makes it a bit more challenging... watch a bit... take notes... do a bit... watch a bit more... etc... If you have the interest in making something like this, I'd definitely recommend it... the satisfaction of making something that sounds so beautifull is great!... I've got some Bois d arc (osage orange) cut up and some purpleheart that I'm going to make #2 and #3 out of

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[Pappy]

nice work, Bill!

[lrogers]

We need a link so we can hear how it sounds. It sure looks good.

[CrashResq]

Thanx guys. This thing was a lot of fun to make... I'll be making more for sure...

Larry - Kind of like the Seinfield episode with the car rental reservation... I now know how to make the flute... I just don't know how to play the flute...

[mater]

That is very nice Bill.

[Wood_workur]

very nice.