How to make a pan flute - YouTube 0:00 / 16:01 How to make a pan flute Radu Nechifor 1.84K subscribers Subscribe 2.8K 202K views 1 year ago About 12 hours of work in 15 min. We need to arrange them in a practical way, so we start by taking all "white" tubes, e.g. After assembly, if any holes or gaps between the pipes should remain, these can be filled in with glue in a kind of second gluing, but the better you fit the pipes, the less of this has to be done. Because for as long as I can think about, I don't seem to find a reason to give you my name. Step 2: Make a clear plan Determine the increasing number of pipe lengths your pan flute will contain. The inner diameter should be not too big nor too small: a 1-1.5 cm of inner diameter is fine. First, if we make a single hole, its size doesn't matter. This way you can have a pan flute whose range is, for example, C4-C7, three octaves!
Then repeat with F#/Gb, G#/Ab and A#/Bb tubes. Later I will explain how to dispose everything even better. So take the C#/Db and D#/Eb tubes, and follow the same process as before. If you can spot my error, please clue me in :). (And less prep for you!). It rapidly releases green projectiles that accelerate in velocity over time. Then repeat for another tube, until you have no tube open. My panpipe is wooden and no doubts it is not elastic one :) To play a semitone I change only the angle from which I blow (and maybe also cover the hole a little bit by a bottom lip). As you blow across the straw, the air in the straw vibrates. Also, a slightly more detailed explanation of what number gets plugged into which symbol and the relation between the two formulae would be appreciated. Apply glue to the back of the lolly stick and carefully place on top the straws, making sure it touches every straw. at the bottom end. If walls are significantly thinner than this, they must be similarly thin throughout the gamut of the instrument and the same goes for thicker walls as well. Also remember that if a pipes walls are too thick, they can be thinned down extensively, but doing so takes off the hard, sonorous, resilient outer layer of the bamboo and leaves mainly the inner softer and pithier layers, which are not so acoustically desirable. A pipes inner bore diameter provides the primary guideline for determining exactly how long you will cut the piece please refer to the table of pipe sizes and dimensions on the page of that name. Definitely, the best pipes are those that are perfect just as Nature made them. Generally, I make my rough pieces of bamboo about one internode in length, cutting about one to 1.5 inches below each node. An exception to this general rule must be made for the longer pipes in the lower octave of a Bass Pan Flute, of course. , Step Three: Baking or Kiln Drying the Pipes
All rights reserved. When the kids have finished making their straw pan flutes, they can use them to explore sound and make music. :), Reply First we find the frequencies of all notes we choose.
You can use some glue to the yarn to fix it in place. If you are not interested in all the math and physics behind the project, you can jump directly to the practice section. This is how I. This method only works when you can also open the ends, because the note produced is noticeably different if the end is open or closed. The caliber will allow you to make more precise measurements, but you can use a measuring tape with a sign every millimeter without loosing too much tuning. My local store sells only 1 or 2 m long tubes, and with 3 short (1 m) tubes you can do every pipe. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Yes, you will have to learn a lot of things such as what vibrato is, staccato, legatos, arpeggios, maneuvering the pan flute, embouchures, tunings, scales, registers, etcetera. If your nose touches the open end of the C, D or E tube when you try to play a C#/Db or a D#/Eb, then raise the 2-tubes group. If the note is lower than n will be negative, if the note is higher it will be positive. Step Nine: Framing or Reinforcing the Pipe Bottoms
First, the single slat of the bottom pipe receives a layer of glue as it is placed onto the end of the Pan Flute Mold, with the right tilt to it. Then, the second pipe up from the bottom is firmly placed next to it, and, after placement, its uppermost slat receives a layer of glue, with the third pipe up placed firmly on the mold adjoining it. This process repeats on up the scale, until you get to the top pipe, which receives no glue of its own, but is merely adjoined to the glued upper slat of the pipe below it. The coat of glue that the uppermost slat of each pipe receives is to be moderate not too thick, and not too thin, for the best results. My preferred method of applying the glue is the old fashioned way with the fingers although you are free to try other methods of glue application. It is also pretty much essential that all the pipes be glued together in one sitting, because there is bound to be at least a little warping of pipes as the glue dries, and gluing all the pipes together in one sitting, within the space of a half an hour or so, assures that a consistent, uniform warping will occur throughout the instruments entire span. The possibility of excess or undue warping can be reduced or eliminated by a thorough and precise fitting of the slats of all adjoining pipes before assembly, so that all slat surfaces are thoroughly flush and flat to one another. Let the glue dry for at least 12 hours before proceeding further. What could you use? 4 years ago. )/ 4* frequency (in Hz? A sharp knife/boxcutter. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; ).
All the pan pipes start out here. and a Panflute You'll need to have in general: A drill. Keep practicing and learn to play a song with . While making the pan flutes (sometimes called panpipes), theyll have the opportunity to use both math and fine motor skills, while also building and creating. This whole matter of pipe beveling is not only a highly individual one; it is also quite delicate, sensitive and complex. And so, I will devote a whole article to discussing the different styles of pipe beveling, and the pros and cons of each. With this in mind, I will now proceed, quite simply and directly, to tell you how I bevel my own pipes, in a step-by-step manner: The first step in anyones pipe beveling process is to file or sand the tops of the pipes absolutely flat. This provides a straight and steady baseline from which all subsequent beveling of the pipe rims can proceed. My preferred tool for doing this is a large flat rasp or bastard file; it is possible to mechanize the process with a belt sander, but care must be taken that the pipe tops are sanded very lightly, the minimum amount necessary to flatten the tops into a level surface. After this is completed, and a satisfactory level surface is thus created, the next step is to round off the outer rims of the pipes, both on their front and back sides make them nice and round. This will create the first smooth and comfortable surface against which your lips can glide easily. The other reason for rounding off the outer edges of the pipe rims is that bamboo splinters very easily, and if this is not done as a preventive measure, splintering is very likely to occur with further filing and beveling.. Kids always love making homemade musical instruments. is appropriate for the top end. The reinforcing strip(s) for the bottom side of the frame can also be done in a similar manner, tracing around the entire periphery of the instrument with a pencil to get the proper silhouette or outline. Just remember to cut the front and back strips at least a centimeter or two longer than needed, to cut off to the right length when the end pieces are added; similarly, the bottom strip(s) are to be cut at least two to three millimeters wider than needed, and then trimmed off later. An Exacto knife and/or saw are the best cutting implements to use for cutting the strips., I have usually made the end pieces for my Pan Flute frames from bamboo whose inner or bore diameter is large enough to fit snugly around the outside of the top and bottom pipes; however, other makers have carved them out of wood. The bottom edges of the end pieces are filed or rasped off to be flush with the bottom surface of the instrument, but their top ends can be carved into various aesthetic designs, which are usually spired or pointed. It is usually recommended that the last strip to go on in the assembly of the frame is the (last) bottom strip, which is cut to cover the bottom edges of the end pieces, providing an unbroken and uniform surface on the instruments bottom end. The fitting of the end pieces and their joinery with the front and back reinforcing strips is another point to test and show the level of craftsmanship of the Pan Flute artisan. I trust that you will work out your own best procedure or protocol for doing this joinery work as your craftsmanship and experience unfold and develop. The most aesthetically pleasing frame is one that appears to be seamless.. How boring!!! Anybody could help? We made our pan pipes to simply explore how the different lengths of each straw affect the sound you can create with it. Don't stand in one place, move around constantly to get more mileage out of the jingle dress. Load the pieces of rough cut bamboo into the oven when it is cold, taking care to place the racks on which you lay the pieces a sufficient distance from the heating elements above and below. You can load quite a few pieces of rough cut bamboo onto the racks of an average oven. You will load the bamboo into a cold oven, before you turn on the heat, close the door firmly, then proceed to turn the heat on. First, turn the oven up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the bamboo at that temperature for an hour. Then, turn up the temperature to 200 degrees F for a half an hour, then to 250 degrees for half an hour more then turn off the heat and, keeping the door of the oven closed, let the bamboo cool down gradually over a period of several hours or overnight. Its possible to bake the bamboo for a half an hour more at a temperature of 275 degrees F, but not absolutely necessary if you do so, be sure that your oven has an accurate thermostat, and that the temperature does not go over this level.
Understand that the flute is weaker than your other current instruments and it's primary use is to stop the others from burning out from overuse. So thats it a basic run-down of the twelve step process for making a Pan Flute. May it serve you well! Take the thing you want to use to close the end and close the end. As I clearly state, my main sources are Wikipedia, Google and an old textbook of physics that I used when I was in high school (since then I've sold the textbook, and I don't remember the title; I'm italian, and so it was the book).There is something I'm missing? He's made books with seasonal themes, or vehicle themes, a math book and even one for our dogs! After you have bought a bunch of bamboo poles of different sizes, the next step is to rough cut them into lengths that are somewhat longer than the length you will finally be using once the pipe is precision cut down to size. The cardinal rule here is to always cut substantially longer than the final length youll wind up using because its always easy to cut bamboo off, but not so easy to put it back on. Generally speaking, the best bamboo for Pan Flute pipes comes from the middle of the bamboo stalk, or culm there, the walls are usually not too thick and not too thin, but just about right, and the bore diameter is the most steady and constant throughout. And in the middle of the stalk, there are usually none of the annoying grooves or indentations in the cross-sectional profile of the bamboo that are caused by the branches, which usually branch off only at the top nodes of the culm.
Did you make this project? After the initial rough cutting of the slats, they can be fitted together by placing them on a Pan Flute Mold, which is essential for both slat fitting as well as gluing or assembly. Since the proximal or players side edges of the pipes are the ones that interface directly with the player by touching his or her lips, it is here that the pipes must be most precisely and uniformly aligned. And so, a Pan Flute Mold provides the maker with a curved, convex surface upon which to lay the pipes for fitting and assembly, providing precision alignment for the players side edges of the pipe rims. Perhaps the simplest way of making a Pan Flute Mold is simply to take a wooden board, hammer two rows of nails into it about 1.5 feet (45 cm.) I'm going to make a full octave pan flute, so I need 13 tubes: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B and C again. Choosing a Beginner Pan Flute The pan flute is not particularly difficult to learn. The frame or the boot of the Pan Flute must be made from special materials that have both the requisite flexibility to be molded to the shape of the instruments arch or curve, as well as enough strength to provide sufficient structural reinforcement. The main material to be used is wood; traditionally, Lemn de Tei, which is Linden wood or Basswood, is the wood that is used for the frame. Fortunately, Basswood is available, in the requisite 1/16 or 1/8 inch thickness, at hobby stores that sell wood for model airplanes. I have also found that 3 to 4 laminations or layers of paper thin plywood, also used for making model airplanes, also works well, and may be structurally stronger than Basswood. Another great material to use is sheets of fiberglass glued on with epoxy, which provides an extremely strong and durable first layer of reinforcement for the instrument. The end pieces for the frame are usually made from pieces of split bamboo that are of the right size and inner diameter to fit around the ends of the bottom and top pipes. And the wood is glued onto the instrument either with masking tape if the wood is more flexible, or with clamps. Layers of paper thin model airplane plywood are fully flexible for easy bending, but Basswood strips may need some steaming or moistening with hot water to soften them up., Prior to the actual affixing of the frame to the bottom of the instrument, there are a couple of preparatory sub-steps that need to be done. The first is to sculpt the bottoms of the pipes into a smooth, aesthetically pleasing curve with a half round rasp. Because bamboo tends to splinter easily, it is recommended that the outer edges of the sloping bottom rims of the pipes first be rounded off with a rasp as a safeguard against this happening before this sculpting can begin in earnest. Secondly, if there has been marked or significant warping of the curve or arch of the pipes since their initial assembly, remedial measures can be taken to correct this, and bring the curve or arch back closer to the original ideal of the Pan Flute Mold. If the arch of the pipes has warped wide or decreased in its curvature, the pipes can be trussed with a thick nylon cord and thick strips of cardboard or folded heavy paper can be wedged into the end, around the lowest pipe, until the arch is tightened sufficiently. If the arch of the pipes has warped tight or increased in its curvature beyond the ideal, the pipes can be laid upon a table or flat surface and a stone of about 5 6 pounds (2 3 kg.) How we can do that? However, "my" frequencies are 261.6, 277.2, 293.7, 311.1, 329.6, 349.2, 370, 392, 415.3, 440, 466.2, 493.9, 523.3 rounded to first decimal digit, measured in hertz. Please make sure that you can cut all pieces from your pipes because it may be difficult to join two pieces together without compromise the sound. The pan flute (as other instruments) is a sophisticated musical instrument that requires you to learn techniques, terms, and at least basic knowledge of music to master it. Ti = 9 cm Try using straws of varying widths. So, the image of this step is from my previous instrument, a six-holed pennywhistle made of aluminium, wood (juniper), and electrician tape. Step Twelve: Oiling and Finishing the Pipes
Any ideas? The general rule is: if the discarded part starts with a digit less than 5 then you left all unchanged; if it starts with a digit greater or equal than 5, then add 1 to the last digit of the remaining part). If you like the finiture of your tubes you can skip this step. You can even give your song a name. Art:The pan flutes can be decorated to express your childs creativity! Try to play some notes. Take the yarn and wrap 6-7 times around all the tubes, then wrap 2-3 times between tubes (see images). 1 year ago Re = 15.5 cm You can use it "as is", or you can change the speed of sound to a value you think it's more appropriate for you. Finish by covering the lolly stick with ribbon or washi tape, to decorate. The musical sounds the instrument can produce play a big part in conferring on the pan flute a sophistication that its production doesn't involve. Knot the end when you are done. Making a Pan Flute a Labor Intensive Process
Pan Flute tuning is a rather tricky process, and one that is not that well done by a beginner. This is especially true of the high notes, especially those that are above the d of the middle octave or register of a standard Alto Pan Flute. Beginning players generally find that the pitch of these notes is unstable, and easily sags, because they have not developed sufficient embouchure strength and support. And so, Pan Flute tuning is best done by a seasoned or advanced player. Using an electronic tuner is recommended, but it must not be relied upon exclusively use your ear as well. In the lower octave of an Alto Pan Flute, the pitch is inherently stable. In the middle register, the pitch gets somewhat less stable, tending to rise with a more forceful air stream and embouchure, and to fall with a less forceful one. And these tendencies are even stronger in the top register. 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