The Rough Shorty Flute

Published 2014-11-15

The other day, a young relative of mine asked me for information on how to make a flute.

They live far enough away that I would not be able to show the process directly. I didn't think it would be possible to relay the information and the technique's required over the phone or even in email.

But success was achieved in just over 24 hours!

I decided the best way to show them, was with some video of me making a flute. I've made 50 flutes but had never recoreded the process on video. Doing so was way overdue.

I went out to the garage to start making the F# flute I've been dreaming of for some time. But I couldn't find any 3/4" pvc long enough for that.

But..... while looking I found a shorter piece that intriqued me because it happened to be the end of a typical 20 footer that has the bell flare for connecting to a secong length of pipe.

The bell would be a perfect way to show how to make the "bird" (or block.... or in my terms for my flutes, a collar to help channel the air over the flat "nest" and create the air flow channel so important to any flute.

I've used short 1" pvc pieces with a split cut on the underside so it could open just a bit and slide perfectly over a 3/4" flute body.

But I didn't want my young relative's parents to have to buy a whole long piece of 1" pipe for just a 2" long "bird".

So I thought the bell would be perfect.

I was not only so happy to find someone with interest in making a pvc flute, and thrilled to be asked for help, but also really enjoyed making the video to show how I do it.

And I was very surprised and happy with the little short rough flute I came up with in the process. Its still very rough, and serves a great example to me that sometimes its not as critical as I've thought to do everything so precise and smooth.

This video is just an abbreviation of the process and also shows some close up shots of just how rough the little flute is - and still works.

If you are interested in more of the details see my videos entitled Making Air Flow Channel on PVC Flute Part 1, 2, 3 of 3.