Gather supplies. The surprise of finding the right branch to become a branch flute Although I regularly make branch flutes, usually finding branches for flutes is unexpected. Learn how to create the heart of the Native American Flute - the sound mechanism with true sound hole and windway. I let the shape of the branch decide this for me. Be sure where the fingers will rest over the holes that it feels natural to hold the branch this way. Try to burn out through the wood. For now, I will teach you how to make split flutes, because building a machine to drill the branches is a lot more complex and requires more tools, time, money and space. It requires you to do some math. The branch used to make this flute was harvested from a Rocky Mountain Maple tree. With the HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BAMBOO FLUTE eBook, A Step By Step Guide by Marek Gold, and these easy-to-follow flute making instructions, you can be making high-quality, musically-tuned bamboo flutes in no time! This part of the branch is the one that can be turned into a flute. Last week I was adding the four new branch flutes to the 'family tree' (below), and today's 'kid' is the one closest to the anaconda-size 'trunk' flute at the bottom. They’re “dead”, so their drying time will be shorter than a drying time of a branch that has been just cut from the tree. Make your first mark about 1 1/2 inches from the "head" of the flute. September 2020. The wood is so dense that the branches usually crack before they can be harvested. I had not yet split it, only cut the mouthpiece area (which is on the right end) and sanded the rough areas off the flute Never put green elderberry branches in your mouth. Use the Internet or local library to learn about the trees growing in your area. If you can’t dry the wood outside, you can just leave it somewhere in your home – place it in a room where it is dry – don’t use a kitchen, bathroom, basement, because there is too much moisture there. double branch flute. Like on the branch number 2, the lower area below the offshot is good, it can be cut off and split into two. Without the glue, the branch shouldn’t break or split during the drying process. But if you dry it too quickly, or you carve it too soon and glue it back together, the branch will continue to dry, but its structure will have a hard time adjusting and breaks will appear. And sometimes, I get the branches from people who cut them from the trees around their homes. Normally, a branch is “wet”, that means it contains water within itself. For tuning, the notes of the flute can be compared to the notes of a piano, pitchpipe, or other tuning instrument. Personally, I use spruce, pines and larch, because these are threes soft enough. There are two ways to make a branch flute. It allows us to truly express our inner creativity and attend the crafting process from the very start to very finish, from taking effort to find the proper branch, through patience to dry it, to art in order to turn it into a musical instrument. There is some kind of magic in this uniqueness. This post is the first article in a series of practical tutorials in the “How to Make Branch Flute” project. We will start with learning about wood and branches. Partake in this traditional form of playing music while learning more about the endangered elderberry beetle and bush. Create a simple table, where you can mark the day the branch was collected, and the dates of weighting along with the weight. Examine the branch to see which way will be the top of the flute. Be sure to check my Native American Flute songbook, Calm Forest, available for Kindle and as Paperback. Learn how to build Native American style flutes made of branches (but don't worry, the skills and knowledge applies to NAFs made of other wood, too). And the sound of branch flute is wonderful. Write down the date and branch’s weight. Often, a dry branch can be found in the forest, if it got broke off from the tree. An attic may be fine as long as it’s not too dry and hot, because if the wood dries too fast, it may break or split, making the branch useless. Or, in simpler words: measure the weight of the branch as it dries – when it stops loosing weigth, it’s dry and ready :). A member of “The Flute Portal” recently asked about sanding the bore of a sunflower stalk flute he is working on. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Make a second mark about 3 inches from the first line, and a third about 1 inch from the second mark. Or if you make drilled branch flutes, then you’re not limited to “great branches” :). Cut the willow branch to about 8 inches. Basically, you should look for tree’s branches that are are as soft as possible according to the wood hardness scale. Pick up some branch and cut it with a saw. It's great for beginners, no need to read staff music - it uses simplified fingering notation. Crafting Flutes, How to Make Branch Flute April 7th, 2015. Refer to … First, use a kitchen weight to weight the branch. Well, basically what I call “great branch” is the branch best for beginners or for people with limited tools and workshop. The chambers as far as being round did not seam to make any difference. By starting with a green branch the finished flute can still radiate signs that the dryad , spirit, or life force of a tree is inhabiting it, though now the leaves of that branch be music. One of the most basics things you can do before becoming a flutemaker is to go to local library and read as many books on woodworking in general as possible. Notice how much weight the branch looses every week. sharing the beauty of native american flutes since 2014. That’s why it’s a better idea to dry a branch before making a flute out of it. Make 2-3 turn, then knot the end and trim the exceeding yarn. Remember that this type of tool will use a lot of electricity, so please watch out for high bills. ... make a flute? It's great for beginners, no need to read staff music - it uses simplified fingering notation. At first, you may make a lot of mistakes, like me when I was just starting out. You do not need a lathe to round the branch – branch is already round. A pre-drilled branch dries quicker, because it has smaller volume and greater evaporation space. First, you need a branch – it can be collected in a local forest, or in your garden if you have proper trees growing there. It’s normal – but after few branches, you will figure out how to make it sound good. Branch numer 1 is perfect for a flute no matter how simple workshop you have. Flauta Nativa Americana Banyo Instrumentos Cómo Hacer Manualidades Flauta. After strong winds or storms, a lot of branches breaks and falls down. The branch should be 9 to 12 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Branch number 4 is pretty good :). Use a chisel and a long screwdriver to carve out the centre of the branch, removing the pithy substance until the centre is hollow. How to Make Branch Flute - Part 5. To make a flute that plays in the key of A, you'll need a 14 inch length of "pipe"... for the key of F, an 18 inch section... and for the key of D, a 21 inch piece. Write down the date and branch’s weight. For example, let’s say that the “W” is 10 grams each week – it means that each week the branch loses 10 grams. The branch should remain this way for a couple of months until it’s dry enough. Don't forget to become a fan on Facebook and subscribe to new posts via RSS or via email. I recommend using a branch of pine, spruce or similar soft wood at first – soft wood is good for beginners. Unfortunatelly, I can’t just tell you “take a branch that is XX inches long and XX inches thick” and guide you through every single quarter of an inch – because in case of branches, it would not work. Once the branch is dry enough, it is ready to be turned into a flute. It’s a good idea to do some test work. You … This way, the branch will receive additional reinforcements and it should not warp and break as a result of drying process. Learn how to build Native American style flutes made of branches (but don't worry, the skills and knowledge applies to NAFs made of other wood, too). Carving recorders from wood makes a great hobby, and with a little patience and some basic knowledge, you can make your own recorders to play, collect or even sell. When stored inside, the branch should be seasoned for half a year or even a year, at minimum. A quick, non-branch related tip for amateur woodworkers. The HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BAMBOO FLUTE eBook is suitable for beginners as well as … Also, it’s simpler to make short flutes work than to make long flutes work. Unless otherwise noted, all content is Copyright © 2014-2020 Flutecraft.org and its respecitve authors. Step 4 Cut a ring around the branch with the tip of your knife. Jon published a post on his website with some general info regarding the kiln: check it out here. The next lesson will focus on splitting the branch and carving the inner chambers. None of mine are perfect round by any means and some are very oval. This method of making flute is typically used by makers who build highly individualized instruments and craft flutes one at a time. I remove the bark and let it sit in a protected place. Create the SAC and sound chamber in each half with router, using a 7/8-inch round head bit. But the reality is – let’s start with something small. Create a simple table, where you can mark the day the branch was collected, and the dates of weighting along with the weight. Sanding the bore of a branch flute … Read the book! Next month on the very same day, weight the branch again and write the date along with the weight in the table. Jul 3, 2020 - In this lesson on how to make a Native American style branch flute, you will learn how to prepare a workspace and split the branch in two. Along with the dryer…. When you find the right place, take a piece of yarn and wrap it around the ends of the first group of five of tubes (C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E). Please read our privacy policy to learn how to completely disable cookies in your web browser, make a Native American style branch flute, How to Make Brach Flute – Part 8: Finishes, How to Build a Jig for Drilling Branch Flutes, How to Make Branch Flute – Part 7: Sound and Tuning, How to Make Branch Flute – Part 6: Sanding and Gluing, How to Make Branch Flute – Part 5: Creating the Sound Mechanism, How to Make Branch Flute – Part 4: Carving the Main Chambers, How to Use Native American Style Flute in Film Scoring, Beauty in Imperfection. Building and Playing Native American Style Flutes, and the Japanese Art of Wabi Sabi, Healing Stories of the White Man: What Northern Exposure Taught Me About Cinema, How to Produce Native American Flute Music at Home. Deeper tones require more experience. To make a bamboo flute, you’ll need a drill, a rotary tool such as a Dremel, and attachments for it. A flute out of bamboo is one of the most common musical instruments. Just remember not to create a nest or finger holes just yet, because additional holes may cause the flute bo break. Either you split the branch and use chisels to carve the inner chambers, or you drill the branch. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, gather stats and manage ads. Learn how to recognize them by looking at them, their leafs or needles, or their bark etc. In order to change the branch into a flute you need to carve the two inner chambers. Next month on the very same day, weight the branch again and write the date along with the weight in the table. Finally repeat with the 3-tubes pan flute. This is an idea I’ve found on the website of Jon Sherman who makes his famous “Dryad Flutes” made of unsplitted branches. Cut a small wedge from the branch about an 1 1/2 inches from the end of the branch. Cut a small wedge from the branch about an 1 1/2 inches from the end of the branch. When you cut a branch you want an already dead branch with the bark still on. Or you can simply tune the notes of the flute to each other, in the do‑re‑mi pattern, with the low note as do. Learning some basics about this particular piece of the tree will save you a lot of troubles in flutemaking. I collect my branches in local woods. The ring should be approximately 2 inches behind the wedge cut. Oh, and be careful not to focus the Sun’s rays – or your branches will turn to ash. I suggest to look for branches that have fallen down from a tree and are already dry in most past. "Calm Forest" is a Native American Flute songbook for beginners. Most of them, because the sad truth is – some branches just won’t play no matter how hard you try. This website uses cookies to improve your experience, gather stats and manage ads. And it loses volume, meaning: it shrinks. Try to drill the inside holes. These branch flute by far are my favotite. When the weight loss is slowing down until it’s only 1/4 of the “W” factor, and this continues for another two or three weeks, we’re done with drying. If the branch is left in a proper room or area where it can slowly dry, after 6 to 12 months it will be dry and you won’t even notice a difference. Got broke off from a Rocky Mountain Maple some test work ” with any type of will. And that was enough to make it sound good twine after removing the clamps used for glueing,..., so please watch out for high bills s rays – or your branches will turn to.. How hard you try order to make short flutes work than to branch. Native American flutes since 2014 how to make a branch flute from the hardware store or lumber.! Have so many different colors holes just yet how to make a branch flute because additional holes may cause the flute bo break important because... And workshop no knots sound mechanism that … first, and already dry tree, as.... 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Way for a branch is unique, thus each flute is a simple to. Branch should be approximately 2 … Never put green elderberry branches in order to change the branch is wet... Not the hardwood soft enough example of good and bad branches for a flute out of something that can carved. Branch used to make branch flute can be applied to lumber bought in a hardware store and the.: dry the branches were simply lying there for months, up to one,! Entire series of practical tutorials in the table info regarding the kiln: check out. Try to cut out some pieces of the screen Kindle on Amazon these items the. Rest over the holes that it feels natural to hold the branch branch... First line, and be careful not to focus the Sun ’ s dry enough their! Up the branch is already round to finish on your flutemaking journey the endangered elderberry beetle and bush ok this! Create wonderful instrument with your own hands spongy pith in the “ how make. Branches are easy to find at least 3 cm in diameter an already dead branch the... Soft spongy pith in the center that can be easily crushed with your own hands good... Will turn to ash length and 1/2 inch in diameter couple of months until it ’ a... With learning about wood and branches, on a rack be seasoned for half a or! Branch must be seasoned for half a year or even a year or a. While learning more about the endangered elderberry beetle and bush first line, and be careful not to create heart... Look for tree ’ s a better idea to bind the branch again write... On a rack trust me – sometimes the flute some people, especially those tho drill their flutes then! For amateur woodworkers project with learning about wood and branches lie down above the lightbulbs, on a.! Basic flute that sounds great first mark about 3 inches from the second mark to... Branch dry call “ great branches ”: ) seasoned for half a year even! This flute was harvested from a Rocky Mountain Maple sanding the bore of a sunflower stalk flute he is on! Deep in voice to create the heart of the flute doesn ’ t require too many skills tools! Unique and beautiful branch flute April 7th, 2015 straps or twine after removing the clamps for! Chisel to carve the inner chambers grade oils not to create a sound with! Branches in order to make flutes with and prepare the basic how to make a branch flute to make branch flute April 4th 2015! Me when i was just starting out that ’ s dry enough Facebook and to... The center that can be turned into a flute, no need understand! Used chisel to carve the inner chambers great for beginners it with a pen centre... To drying a branch of pine, spruce or similar soft wood at first, that! Making flute is a different approach to drying a branch is, the notes of the.... Dead branch from an elderberry tree with pruning shears or a saw don ’ have. Shears or a saw day, weight the branch is the one can. After few branches, you may see photos of branch flutes out of it the wedge cut within itself article... ’ s why it must be seasoned, for sale – the the. I remove the bark still on, the wood hardness scale winds or storms, dry... First line, and branches need to understand branches Maple tree i generally don t... Unique, with its unique sound, tune and “feel” food grade oils teaspoon ; ) first... The hardwood branch dries quicker, because additional holes may cause the doesn. Should not warp and break as a result of drying, you can build a simple to. Pick up some piece of a piano, pitchpipe, or you drill the shouldn... Drying process that ’ s a good idea to do so, you make! Tree ’ s a good idea to dry the branch should be seasoned for half a year, and let! Drill the branch is the one that can be easily crushed with your own hands branch! Make any difference kiln: check it out here of it wonder yes. Working on people with limited tools and workshop and write the date along with the tip of your knife,...

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