Greetings,I’m new to the board but have been playing low whistles for a number of years.
While fairly adept with large whistles, I have never been much of a flute player, and I have a 36" walking stick flute (a Xmas gift) that I want to transform into a 36" walking stick whistle.
What I need is someone to tell me how to get a transverse fipple made. (I have a plastic one on a store-purchased high C flute/whistle, so I know they exist).
Anyone on the board know who makes these, or how to go about making one myself?
Have you considered just buying a fipple? Thom’s Whistle shop sells fipples in several sizes for home whistle projects. (or for people who ruin fipples messing around with them trying to make them BETTER)
I’ve experimented with these a few times.
You can make a transverse fipple from rectangular brass tubing made by K&S from your local hobby store. Deburr the ends and lay the piece near the embouchure hole. Position until you’re happy with the sound and it plays in tune.
Then superglue the piece in place. after that, you can slide a piece of round tube that fits around the rectangular to fit the mouth better.
Sand the bottom to clear the surface of the flute.
Finally, a suggestion from Jack Houseman, put down a coat of RTV sealant or expoxy to firmly hold the assembly together. Put a wall of this stuff on either side of the hole to give the effect of “Organ Ears” for a more focused sound.
I’ve tried this, it works fine. Try to find a plastic plug with a hole in it to cover the brass to prevent hurting your teeth.
If your really brave, you could whittle a piece of wood to make it look nicer.