Acutely I made three, but the first two went to the scrap bin. The first one was made out of 1/2 inch electrical PVC (5/8 inside diameter, it’s only 1/2 inch by name). It was really hard to get the low d out, and very quiet. Besides those last two holes at the bottom were really hard to reach. The second was made out of 3/4 inch PVC (7/8 inch inside diameter, where do they get these names?).
So I made another, and brought those bottom holes in just a little. IT WORKED! It takes a lot of wind to get the top of the second octave out though. The second octave’s a little flat too, the third octave is another story. What came out in range of my chromatic tuner was in tune. The tuner barely gets high d.
I also made a g, and a low g. The g was going to be a d, but the fipple was too small. This was the first one that worked.
Just had to share this with someone. Most of my friends just don’t understand, my brother says I’m obsessed, my wife said, “That’s nice.” The low d sounds so cool, as it pierces the stillness of the night. Well, as still as it gets here in town.
I guess I need to learn to play these, and get back to guitar practice. I was almost ready to call myself a guitar player, when I discovered whistles. The simplicity (not complex) of the whistles make them so attractive though.
Congratulations Jeff on your whistle making success..if they’re as good as your post’s are written I’m sure you’ll be making great music on them in no time. Mike
Way to go Jeff! I know exactly what you mean by those in your immediate sphere not appreciating your musical endeavors. I get that same, “That’s nice” from my wife all the time. Usually, however, it’s, “Would you knock off that rackett.” Or, despite the fact that I’ve played 25 different tunes in the space of 15 minutes, I’ll get the ol’, “Do you HAVE to play the SAME tune OVER and OVER?!!”
Anyway, I think it’s really cool that you’ve had success at your whistle-making and that you’re an almost guitar player. I’ve always wanted to play guitar and I almost did once. Then the furnace went out and I had to sell many worldly possessions, including my guitar, to get a new one. It was either burn the guitar in the stove to keep warm or let someone else make music with it. If figured the guitar wouldn’t keep me warm for long if I burned it.
On 2001-09-17 09:19, tyghress wrote:
I have a PVC flute that is pretty worthless. Any idea on how I might change it from flute to whistle?
Cut the end off, and put a fipple mouth priece in it, but then you might have a worthless whistle. PVC’s is prety easy to get a hold of, and easy to work with. You can try to make one from scratch.
That way when your done you can toss the flute into the scrap pile with all the whistles that didn’t work.
It’s fun to experement just to see what might work. Tonight I made two middle d wistles. Both times the g was a bit sharp. Maybe I need to get a smaller drill bit. It seems if you do the hole placement just right, you only need one size drill.
If you like I can bore you to death, trying to discribe how I did this. Some day I’ll be able to make these without a lot of scrap. Once I learn to play one, I’ll know right where I want the holes. Of course then some of them might be to big.
Oh, this sounds like fun. . .I think. Gentlemen, please note that I haven’t a clue how to use a powertool, and wouldn’t know where to get a headjoint (are they even legal!). I will get the measurements and let you know.
Still, as a flute, it’s worthless to me, and it was pretty inexpensive to start with. If it gets thrown into the scrap pile, it will at least have educational and entertainment value!
Tyghress,would you mind elaborating on your flute problem?If its dreadfully out of tune with itself it will probably be even worse as a whistle and you may at least be able to at least bring it up to the level of a PVC Dixon (unless of course it is)with some hole tweaking.I’m curious.Mike
Mike, I appreciate your interest. One of my great problems in life is that I tend to collect instruments. I’ll find an instrument, buy it, then get a whole slew of 'em…all different. I have a dozen different ocarinas that I adore (all handmade and on display), which lead to flutes (via a ceramic ocarina and a great story about the One That Got Away). So I have a crystal G flute, a blackwood D (currently winging its way to Fyfer Restorations) and this very basic PVC flute with a cork in one end.
The flutes lead to whistles because I figured I could learn the fingering more easily on the whistle and then swap the tunes to the flute…but the whistles became an end unto themselves…and a collection in the making.
But the few flutes I have need a purpose in life. The blackwood was purchased in Dingle two years ago, and I figure I can resell it. The crystal one was a gift and I can still manage a tune or two. But the PVC is really an inexpensive loss. I simply don’t want it as a flute.
But my husband is starting to learn the whistle. He doesn’t much care for the D, as his fingers are big and he doesn’t like the high notes. He was more comfortable on my A. If I can convert the PVC flute to a whistle, he may do quite well with it.
And if I ruin it by trying to convert it, no real loss at all. It isn’t fancy (no real work on the embouchure or any decorative work) and I have never tested the pitch on it (especially after the cork got knocked around). As soon as I can I’ll get the measurements for you and we’ll have a go at making it a whistle!
Thanks Tyghress,I’m still laughing at your description with the cork in one end and hope you remember to remove it when you give it to your husband. Mike
On 2001-09-20 08:02, tyghress wrote:
Oh, this sounds like fun. . .I think. Gentlemen, please note that I haven’t a clue how to use a powertool,
Power tools really aren’t necessary, the only one I have is a hand held drill, with only one bit. Most of my work is with a swivel knife (exacto blade), hacksaw, and small files. Be careful with the swivel knife (and all tools), you don’t want to remove to much of your fingers.
Mike