Replies

1. 
   CharlieD | Feb 15, 2005 10:15pm | #1

   I'd check out http://www.mimf.com if I were you. They have a section for about everything including experimental instruments. I fhtere's no plan available there, you could post a question and I'd wager that someone can help.

   Charlie

   I tell you, we are here to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different. --K Vonnegut
2. 
   Patto | Feb 16, 2005 02:07am | #2

   I dont know about bamboo, but the way I make Whistles for primary school fetes might work. Ream (twist drill) the mouthpiece end of the bamboo to a size compatible with a standard dowel you have lying about and to a depth of about 1 1/2" (assuming you have an ID approx 1/2 - 5/8). Push a piece of dowell into the hole to the full depth and cut a notch in through the bamboo. I use a fine saw to get a clean vertical face at the back (away from the mouth) and pare the sloping face with a chisel (total about 10 seconds effort). The dowel will support the fibres as you cut the notch. You want a ramp of about 25* away from the mouth, but it doesnt seem all that critical. The hole needs to be about 3/16 wide through the wall. Bigger is louder up to a limit, then it just stops.

   Take the dowel out and shave a flat on the top the same width as the hole and gently insert bach into the body. Test blow to adjust the depth, then glue in at that depth.

   I have not done holes, but if you measure the distance between the holes on a tin whistle (Irish) you would probably not be far off. When I was piping, we used to adjust pitch by putting tape over holes or reaming them slightly ( you dont do this on a $300 chanter but it would be OK on the first couple of bamboo flutes till you got it basically right).

   Sounds like fun. If you want me to measure up a whistle for the holes, just yell.

3. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 16, 2005 03:34am | #3

   I found this.. not a lot but made sense to me..

   Worth a look...

   http://www.yungflutes.com/html_pages/making_page.html

   another

   http://www.kids-idea.com/en/m-instrument/wind/index_wind.html

   
   

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   Edited 2/15/2005 7:42 pm ET by Will George