DasFlute Lessons Part 7 of 7 - The Third Octave

Here is a little series of videos describing bamboo flute tricks I made while staying up all night, trying to fathom the limitless possibilities of a simple 6-hole flute I made. It seems I have barely scratched the surface!

This is a regular 6-hole "diatonic" flute (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do). My other custom models include Bass Meditation Flutes, Raga Flutes (tuned to East Indian "Ragas" or modal scales), Panpipes, and Bamboo Birdcalls of all sorts. I also make some "killer" 6-hole diatonic flutes, and specialize in the extremes of gigantic bass flutes and tiny screaming piccolos, as well as every size in between.

Prices vary for each piece, depending on bamboo specimen rarity, finish, size, and playability. Basic beginner flutes can be $20 - $30 while large Bass Flutes can be $80 - $100 - $120 up to $150 for really nice ones -- all very affordable!

P.S. I also have many CDs available, and you can hear some examples at www.MySpace.com/dassmusic

Have fun! Hope to hear from ya!

das@fantasyflutes.com

www.fantasyflutes.com (under construction)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bamboo
• flute
• lesson
• tutorial
• tips
• alto
• bass
• flutes
• meditation
• music
• india
• bansuri
• krishna

[thevehicle23]

Hello Das

I noticed that your G flute holes are 'shifted' from the 'regular' straight line positions and your size of holes vary a lot. So I guess, my question really is -are these your custom tuned products and do these 'custom settings' bring about an 'easy to play' product. One more - are these laquered finished? if so, won't that hurt in the long run?

[FantasyFlutes]

Hi - I frequently offset the holes so they fall more where your fingers go, thus making the flute much easier to play, especially for smaller hands. Straight-line holes force the elbows up like wings, whereas with offset holes the elbows relax and come down. This really helps out a lot the larger the flute gets! As for finish, these days I have been putting tung oil on them, seems to seal it up nicely plus gives a satin sheen, also brings out the natural character marks of the bamboo...

[Pyroxifer]

Hey Daz my good man : ) Impressive tooting there :] Was trying this on my Bamboo flute (G) one of them Chinese ones where you need to stick scotch tape or whatnot over one of the hole in order to play it (Dizi I believe they're called) Anyhow, we were full blowing so hard into the flute our lungs were THIS close to exploding and...let us just say the results left much to be desired T_T Am i using the wrong flute as I see you didn't have to cover yours up? Any help would be great! Thank you : D

[FantasyFlutes]

I don't have to "cover mine up" because I only put 6 playing holes for your fingers, that's all. The extra hole on the Chinese DIZI is for a thin membrane (look it up) which effectively turns the flute into a Kazoo -- you can hear this beautiful sound on recordings. Anyway, if you are blowing that hard then it might not be a quality flute...

[sow109]

And the rivers stopped running and the mountains came closer to better hear the Orpheus of bamboo flutes.

[FantasyFlutes]

Ah someone who knows what is knowable...

[christel9106]

i wish i could third octaves on a bamboo flute with seven holes. i can only reach G2. no matter how hard i try, i still cant get notes higher than that. i guess i have to find a different flute.

[pipesbillyok]

Great stuff!!!

[bananaorange90]

hey das...i watched ur whole series...u are like THE COOLEST flute teacher ever...u make the experience so much more fun and lively..keep up the good work

[monkeyeagle]

No Way! LOL!!! I am doing the 2nd Octave pretty well,but not the 3rd! Not yet Buddy! BTW I may need another flute or 2 from you sometime! Cheers Ed