PVC Flute Demo

Demo of a $5 PVC flute. They can play pretty good. See PVC Flute Part 1 & 2 for How To Make a PVC Flute.

The main difference between a flute and recorder is not whether it's played from the side or the top, but is the shape of internal bore or tube. A flute has a cylindrical (straight tube), and a recorder has a tapered bore (conical shaped). PVC tubing is cylindrical so it creates the timbre of a flute.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pvc flute
• crafts
• diy flute
• home made flute
• plastic flute
• native american style flute
• musical instrument
• plastic recorder
• jazz
• modeeb2

[cunparis]

Awesome video. I'm curious if you own a wooden NAF and if you have compared the sound between them. I'm curious how close the PVC flute comes to the sound of the wooden ones. I purchased a Gminor flute in Arizona while on vacation but here where I live in France they don't have them so I'd like to be able to make my own for other keys.

[modeeb2]

@cunparis I have a wooden NAF that I used to measure the upper square holes on the PVC flute. Regarding the differences in timbre. They are definitely different. My pvc flutes sound more breathy/airy and there is a "quality" in the tone that would be hard to find the right words for. I would imagine many people would say the wooden flute sounds "better," but that is a very relative term. A wooden flute just sounds. . . more wooden.

[modeeb2]

@cunparis A couple of observations. My wooden NAF is much longer than the pvc, by almost 5" (127mm) and the diameter is 3-4mm wider. This would certainly effect the timbre of the wooden flute. The problem I had was the Flutomat calculator doesn't seem to be able to mimick the finger hole placement when using the wooden flute's dimensions on pvc. Secondly, it's difficult to find pvc in the same dimensions as the typical NAF flute. So there's some compromise involved. Might have to try it though.

[edgarwazhear]

where does the air flow? i thought there was a cork in the pipe and a ring covering the end of the pipe.

[modeeb2]

@edgarwazhear There's a cork/stopper that fits inside the flute, in between the two square holes at the top. This forces the air up through the 1st hole and "over" the 2nd square hole. The sharp edge of the 2nd hole sort of splits the air. Some goes into the flute (but not much). There is nothing covering the end of the flute though.

[StopTheMoti0n]

is this not a PVC recorder?

[modeeb2]

@StopTheMoti0n It's not in the direction you play the instrument, but the shape of the bore. The difference being, a flute is a straight bore the entire length versus a recorder has a tapered bore. Although the sound is generated much like a recorder, the tone is still that of a flute.

[lionandthelamb95]

total gangster man(:

[ChrisBclips]

i wouldnt call it a flute i think it would be classifyed in the low whistle catagory.

[757flyer]

Groovy!

[CrazySlay3r]

those fall-of notes were awesome !

im gonna make my own !

[AnotherSchmoe]

modeeb2 you're my hero.

[urrick33333]

I'll make one... or two ;D

[TheJoskee]

thats pretty neat :) its a got a cool sound

[rawdog10157]

very good man...

[fncr070]

virgin