How to Build a Musical Wind Instrument
- 1). Use a hacksaw to cut your piece of bamboo between 18 and 20 inches long. Make sure that one end is blocked by the fibrous material that separates the bamboo, horizontally, at different intervals.
- 2). With the magic marker, mark the holes that will go along the length of the flute. Measure 1 inch from the bottom of the blocked end of the flute and mark it. Measure 6 inches from the first mark and make another mark. Make five more marks, each 1 inch apart, from the second mark. In total, you should have seven marks, one at the bottom and then six marks at 1-inch intervals, 6 inches from the mark at the bottom.
- 3). Heat the metal rod with the torch until it is red-hot. Hold the torch with a heavy cloth or oven mitt to prevent burning. Insert the rod into the open end of the bamboo. Apply moderate force to burn out the fibrous material inside, making sure to stop before you reach the closed end of the flute, which must remain in tact.
- 4). Heat the drill bit until it is red-hot. Hold the bit with the pliers. Apply the bit to the marks you made on the bamboo for holes. Use moderate force until the bit burns through the bamboo, producing the holes.
- 5). Roll up your piece of fine-grit sand paper. Insert it into the holes in your flute to smooth them and enlarge them slightly. Apply linseed oil with the rag to give your flute a shine.
- 6). Cover the last six holes with the first three fingers of each hand. Blow across the hole, not into it. Change your fingerings to produce different sounds.