HOMEGROWN MUSIC: MAKE A BAMBOO FLUTE (PART II)

(Page 3 of 4)

January/February 1983
 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

RELATED CONTENT

Some flutemakers apply wrappings of colorful waxed linen thread (available at most craft shops) to several areas along the length of the instrument — particularly the portions around the mouthpiece, holes, and open end — to reinforce the tube and prevent (or repair) cracks. You can either glue or lacquer the cord in place.

Well, at this point your bamboo musicmaker ought to be ready to warble . . . so here's the third "F" of homegrown fluting.

A PAIR OF POSSIBLE FINGERING SYSTEMS

In Fig. 1 — showing the standard six-hole fingering system — the shaded holes indicate finger placement, with the open end of the flute on the right. The numbers — in turn — designate the notes in the scale, in ascending order, with "1" being the key note. In addition, there are many ways to play flat and sharp notes, such as "half holing" — that is, placing your finger over just a portion of a hole to produce an "off" note — plus various other full fingerings not depicted in the chart.

The three "extra" holes shown in Fig. 2 — Craig Rusbult's nine-hole fingering system — allow you to play in the two keys above and below the flute's "natural" key. The additional openings are situated so that they're covered by your thumbs and right ring finger when the instrument is held in the "normal" six-hole playing position.

The shaded holes represent finger placement, with the open end of the flute on the right. The two crosshatched holes shown indicate a need to finger one, the other, or both openings (depending on the individual flute) to achieve the flatted "6" note. The numbers on the left designate the notes in the scale, in ascending order, with "I" being the key note. The number-and-letter combinations across the top indicate the specific digits to be used: "L" is left, "R" is right, "T" is thumb . . . and "1", "2", "3", and "4" designate index, middle, ring, and "little" fingers, respectively.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.