As I have posted before I am not currently working (last employer was bought out) and when not searching for a job I have been making some PVC flutes and practicing. Well, I guess I got bit by the bug! I am loving making these PVC flutes and showing them off to friends. So, I chatted with the wifey and decided I should give it a go 'till I get a job. Then, I will probably keep going on a part-time basis.
Now, I don’t at all expect to make any awesome flutes, just inexpensive PVC ones. They aren’t going to even be as perty as a Tipple flute, just a very basic one that I can sell VERY inexpensively. I am thinking in about $20-25 to start off. Obviously, at that price I can’t do a ton of finishing work on it but it will be a way to introduce the Irish flute to some that may not have bothered for more money.
I do tend to be a little picky with what I make, so perhaps down the road I will make higher end ones, but for now…simple is the game. I certainly don’t expect to wow anyone here with these simple flutes, you are all used to MUCH better ones. I just wanted to share with you guys because I am pretty excited about it.
No, I won’t be making much with these but I really don’t care about that.
Don’t bash me please!! Just doing something I enjoy.
Except that as a politician I would promise you a Sweetheart and deliver…nothing.
BTW, I have NO intentions to be stealing business from anyone. I am just starting out with making these and the quality will not be close to Doug’s. I have a ton of respect for Doug and the love he puts into his flute making. Heck, I still plan on getting a Tipple as soon as I can.
My flutes will be as close to pitch as I can possibly make them but I will, for the most part, sell them unfinished. I will include information on how they can finish them if they want but it will just be a basic starter. No carry case, no 3 piece, just the flute.
I can make one for .50$ but the cork costs me 20.00$
Your climbing a rough hill on improving what Doug is doing.
The math will take you pretty much to the same place. After that its finish.
Your area interest should be in the head and emb. Copy classic emb and try to emulate some of the good modern makers if you can get your hands of them.
If you can’t play well good luck on cutting a good emb. worth selling.
Its harsh thing to say but its the truth. I dare anyone to deny this.
After building a mess of these things pvc flute like objects I came to the realization that I had better improve my playing drastically if I was to ever even think of really making something of real value. Besides eventually wasting good wood.
I just think it needs being said… don’t let it stop you though.
There is no substitute to working with your hands. Experimenting and finding out what won’t work is more valuable that finding out what does often enough.
There is a supplier in the U.S. that was offering black food grade PVC.
Not sure if they still are.
I can’t find the link.
Oh, you are limited to one commercial post a month… come back with some pictures.
Why so much for the cork? Have you tried corks out of wine bottles? They are a perfect fit for the PVC that I use… In fact, I got a synthetic cork from my brother-in-law that has the best of all worlds - waterproof, perfect “squishiness”, and the perfect size. Bonus: you have to drink the wine first!!!
Did I not make my post clear enough?? I am not trying to improve on what Doug is doing. full stop.
BTW, I have already made and trashed about 15 flutes with the biggest thing being the work on the embouchure. I certainly don’t think I have already perfected them but they are at the point that it sounds quite good. Certainly good enough for the amount I am planning on selling them for. Again, these are not meant to be some professional wannabe. Just a fun starter flute.
Most important thing when becoming an instrument maker - especially a flute maker - is to be willing to allow yourself to make lots of crummy flutes quickly at first. Then as you develop you will gradually improve. Many would be makers make the mistake of investing too much of their ego into their first few instruments, trying to make them into “great ones” and then “freeze up” and sometimes never go beyond that stage. To get beyond the “freeze up” requires generating a considerable quantity of junk!
Flute making, like being a musician, takes practice. Lots of it. Thus the more flutes one can make over time the better. Consider each one a prototype for the next. I still am doing this although I have now produced around 3000 over the last 3 decades and am still willing to experiment. I still occasionally produce firewood quality flutes and these burn nicely in my woodstove.
Thank you for the advice, Casey. Sounds like excellent advice. I am already driving my wife nuts with the number of flute I have been making and scrapping, so I guess I am on the right path.
Of course whether or not it can be done is less important (IMO) than this: Since most of the people who would buy such flutes can’t play well themselves, they won’t even know the difference.
Well Loren if you are ready to admit, in front of god (any of your choice) and everone, that you can’t get a tone worth beans but can cut a mean good hole I’ll concede right now.
Well…here is a clip, but PLEEEEEASE be gentle!!! I have only been playing flute for less than 2 months and have a VERY long way to go. I am simply posting it to show that my flute is probably good enough to sell to those that are…less discerning?
I have many flutes from many different makers and I have been playing them for many years. I have Native American flutes, Irish flutes, modal flutes, modern fifes and very old fifes. One of my fifes was made by a guy who got into making fifes because one if his kids wanted to learn the fife. He looked at what people were selling and said “hey, I can make one of them” and did. His fifes are very good (hard to play, but when learned…drive like a sports car). Frankly, if you want to make a good flute then keep your “ideal” flute in your head and keep making flutes until you produce your “ideal” flute. If you “ideal” changes over time, which it most likely will, then so be it. Everyone has likes and dislikes, and will say that X flute maker is better than Y flute maker because “bla bla bla”. But another person would like Y better than X because "bla bla bla.
Here’s what I say. Forget what people say on this forum…get off the computer, take your flutes to flute players and have them play your flutes. The best players can get 3 octaves out of a beer bottle, so try to find flute players of all levels. Then, tweak the flutes to meet as many of their needs as possible. Granted, some flutes that are said to be “beginner friendly” might not have the responsiveness that an experienced player looks for. I would say find where the diffrences are are and make both kinds.
Make the best flute you can…even for beginners. In other words…you play what you practice. The more “so-so” flutes you make then you will get really good at making “so-so” flutes.
A tree gave its life…thank it by keeping your standards high, and while this will be frustrating in the beginning…it will pay off in the end. Then set up a great website which would show up on the first page of google and you will be well on your way.
Just doing something I enjoy.
Thank you for the advice, Casey. Sounds like excellent advice. I am already driving my wife nuts with the number of flute I have been making and scrapping, so I guess I am on the right path. 
