It started out as just messing around, but I have the basic tube, lip and undersized holes somewhat functional. It sounds good enough to put some additional effort into completing it. The ID is a little over 3/4"; hard to measure exactly since it isn’t round. I ran flutomat at 3/4" and 7/8" and used hole locations that are right about where those came to (not much difference) and made them fairly small for now. I can play a scale, but it definitely needs larger holes.
Anyway, some questions below. I did do some searching, but there seem to be conflicting opinions so I would rather get them as current dialog about this whistle to help me decide which way to go…
I do not have it drilled out inside; I used rebar to break the internal section walls and the rough exterior of the rebar to “file” the openings. There is no rough surface or chips inside but there is some minor constriction where the two walls were. Should I drill them to get a more even bore?
Should I treat the bore? If so, with what?
How dry/seasoned is “dry/seasoned enough”? I used a piece that was not fresh cut, but still has a definite green cast to it color wise.
What would you use for a block? the current one is basswood, but only because that was handy and easy to carve to shape.
Any other thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
I’ll start with a disclaimer. While I have made a lot of flutes and whistles, I have never made a cane or bamboo instrument. So I think you will get better answers on methodology from those who are experienced with that material. There are plenty of websites and videos on the Internet that show the usual techniques for harvesting, seasoning and working with such grasses. Google is your friend.
I have owned quite a few cane/bamboo whistles and flutes. Some were terrible, some ok and some fantastic. One characteristic of the better instruments is that they were all made from material cut from between two nodes. In other words there were no nodes between the window and the bottom end of the instrument. This is evident on Olwell cane/bamboo flutes (and many others as well). So I’d suggest you ream those constrictions down as best you can. Where the constrictions fall will effect your tuning. They can also effect how well you generate certain notes depending on whether the constrictions happen at pressure nodes. Have a look around this site: http://www.navaching.com/shaku/shakuindex.html
Have fun.
Feadoggie
Well, this is one of the topics where Google is friend and foe. Air drying and torching bamboo are recommended at different sites. There are those for and against internal finish. I was hoping to get a response from someon who made a low whistle with specifics about how he/she did it and whether or not it seemed optimal.
It would be nice if I could find a piece with spacing adequate for a low whistle, but I did not. I did get all the holes in one section.
This is still just an experiment, but I wanted to fish for some experiences from others before continuing into the last stages. I am actually a little surprised that it sounds as good as it does.