Good vid! I usually deburr the bore then shorten to pitch or bore tuning holes. Also, undercutting the holes lets you tune while maintaining uniform hole size. I like the burning trick you use to soften the hole bores. Thank you for posting!
Thank you so much for sharing this information! It’s been critical in helping me get started on my first flute and sharing the wonders of the flute with the world!
Thanks for your time and work on this video. It would have been nice to see the measurements clearer and also the size of the playing holes diameter along with the measurements of a six hole flute. That’s pretty cool video. Thanks again
this is great, In your example all holes covered prodcues A at 432hz, for the first hole uncovered which would be note C what frequency should that be ? and moving on up to the last hole?
People will different hand sizes could result in significant differences in hole placement. One would think there is only one set of holes that would work using 1/4" holes. Also, as you increase hole size are you incrementing by 1/64" bit size
Hi Donald, I have tuned my flute as suggested by your self and others but the problem I find is that the flute is tuned. But when you have the holes covered like you would while playing the notes have changed to some degree which I have found very confusing, please can you explain what I am doing wrong. thankyou Mark
What do you think the percentage is of flutes tuned to 432 vs 440? I have heard that 432 is more naturally pleasing but wondered if you tune all your flutes to 432 or a mix?
Hi, Don... Love your work. I followed that completely... wow, great. What do you do, if you have a '''six''' hole flute...!? Thank you. Best ... William (Southampton, Hampshire, UK)
I have only made a few 6 hole flutes--- the extra hole is drilled in the larger gap making it hole number 4. you will have to google note charts for 6hole flutes for the tuning.
Does method apply using 440 tuning instead of just the 432 tuning? Thanks for the video. One more question tuning used for 6 hole flute and not just a 5 hole alone by using only one thumb spacing width between 3rd and now 4th hole?
So if the lines that you marked with your hand and thumb were different from your flute, why would you do it? Some of the holes were way different. And of course everyone has a different hand size so the tunings could be way off and you end up with firewood. Apart from that , thank you for clear, concise description and measurements. I'm going to make one.
I am referring to old school method when the flute makers were making these by eye and did not have measurement devices and built from personal experience. The hand, fingers, foot and step were primitive means of measurements.
Yes. He is showing you the traditional method of how to determine dimensions ancestrally (consistent measuring tools actually). Then he shows you that you can use your tuned flutes as a guide for future flutes in that key. This will expedite your tuning process, which can take time. Once you drill and cut it is harder to put stuff back. So if you want to figure out an A flute or a G flute from scratch EVERY single time, go for it. Very smart what he shows you here. I would imagine even those before us would have done this as well.
How hard would it be to implement a sixth hole for a six hole flute? How would you work out spacing and tuning of the sixth hole? And when you are tuning each hole, do you leave them all open when playing the note you are trying to tune?
the sixth hole is in the center space between the two holes and the three holes, when tuning you start at the bottom end of the flute and work up to the sound hole leaving all holes open as you tune.
I noticed the spacing between the 3rd and 4th holes from the bottom the spacing is quiet a bit more. Can you explain why this is that way? I am trying to make a key E flute and the spacing info I have is that the fourth hole would be much closer than the way I see your spacing. Any info would be helpful. Thanks
that spacing would be where the 6th hole would be. Most of my flutes are the 5 hole which is the type that the Natives east of the Mississippi used, since this is my home territory, I stay with this tradition.
Hi Donald, thanks for the very useful video. Very informative and helpful. I would like a little deeper sound, like the key of low D. I did some research and found that a bore size of 1 1/4 (1.25) inch and a wall thickness of 3/16 (0.1875) inch are proper choices. However, when I use flutomat (www.flutopedia.com/naflutomat.htm) to calculate finger holes, the distance between the three lower holes gets large which makes it hard to reach. I am thinking to use this traditional way, the one you explained in this video, instead of flutomat. Any suggestions and considerations? Many thanks.
layout your finger position that you can reach, while still maintaining a greater distance between those holes, and these holes will be moved closer to the sounding hole. should work
