building flutes- inside dia. vs tuning

Irish Flute
1

Having built several very successful pvc flutes usung 3/4 diameter schedule 40 pvc I now have chance to make one of brass tubing that has the same outer dia. as the pvc {1.10 in. } but the brass has an inner dia. {.88 in. } that is greater than the pvc {.82 in. }. This of course is due to the brass having a thinner wall. This thinner wall is going to affect the tuning.When I made a flute out of thicker Schedule 80 tubing the thicker wall made for a flute that played consistantly sharp across two octaves.Does this mean that a thinner wall will make a flute play flat, all things being equal?
Incidentally, I have no illusions about a brass cylindrical flute but want to compare it to what I already own simply as a matter of curiosity and I don’t know of anyone building large diameter brass flutes { probably for good reason }.
Bruce

2

BmacD,

Here’s a link to a script that will allow you to plug in all your variables.

http://www.cwo.com/~ph_kosel/flutomat.html

Even if it doesn’t help it’s fun to play with.

Byron

3

Thanks Byron, yeah it is fun to play with and I will probably try to find time to build a pvc flute using the measurements it provides but when I
plug in the measurements from my Tipple the results of the program don’t match the reality that we know works. Not to say that it wouldn’t work if actually built . Oh well, if I want something predictable I could go back to watching sitcoms. Don’t hold your breath on that!
Bruce

4

Hi Bruce,
I have been using the flutomat site today for some prototype flutes that I am working on. I would use the flutomat reading for a first prototype flute that you construct with the new I.D. and wall thickness. Once you get the finger holes and the embouchure drilled and finished, test each hole with a tuner, making the appropriate adjustments for the second prototype flute. Continue with this process until you are satisfied with the new design. As you can see from your comparisons, don’t expect the little flutomat engine to generate a perfect flute design. There are design variables that are hard to quantify that are not included in the flutomat algorithm. Good luck!

5

Thanks Doug, you’ve confirmed some of the reservations I’ve had about moving to a medium I’ve no exact copy of. I suspected it would take at least several attempts to get an acceptable design { if that’s even possible in brass }. It’s a good thing I enjoy the pursuit of an idea as well as the destination.
Bruce