At Bamboo Sound, we produce flutes and didgeridoos that are natural--which means that we avoid producing any instrument that plays like a classical concert flute. Each bamboo instrument is unique in its design because no two pieces of bamboo are alike. Of course, if you want a bamboo flute in C, then you can pay for the flute and buy it from someone who has a huge machine to drill holes in the most precise places according to mathematical formulae. But then you will have done something that is unnatural. You will have turned a natural sounding instrument into something artificial. Yes, you will be able to play sheet music, but then you will not be able to improvise and make beautiful music with the bamboo instrument you play. You will have lost the ability to be creative. I feel that this process has happened with the Japanese Shakuhachi, the Irish flute, and many other instruments. The instruments have been refined with the latest technology which allows the maker of a bamboo flute to transform a piece of bamboo into the same instrument as a modern classical flute. But at what price?

I've made hundreds of bamboo flutes, and I am still innovating. At the beginning, I thought only precise measurements were important. However, as I have progressed, I have become more creative. I've made some bamboo flutes with devil holes much similar to the Bulgarian/Macedonian kaval. I've made some that are similar to the shakuhachi. No flute has been more impressive to me than the most basic flutes of all--the simple transverse bamboo flute. Why? Because there are so many variations possible. It is not as restricted in length. I can add different holes wherever I like.

The very process of making a bamboo flute is relatively simple. For the transverse flute, cut it right before one of the nodes and make sure that it is between 14 and 22 inches. Knock out the nodes with a 1/2" stick--you can get one in your local hardware store, and make sure that you don't knock out the node near the hole that you will blow in--which should be the last node. The hole that you blow in should be one inch from the last node.  Longer flutes require a lot of work and are harder to play. Roughly speaking, the internal diameter should be around 2 mm. A larger diameter produces a deeper sound, but it is also hard to play larger diameter flutes, just like larger diameter didgeridoos. I always cook the bamboo flutes under a small flame before making the holes. Cooking the bamboo creates a liquid on the green surface of the fresh bamboo that acts as a natural lacquer. Another important point is never to get dry or dead bamboo when you cut some bamboo for a flute. Dry bamboo will eventually splinter and crack, and then you'll be sad--get the fresh bamboo and let it dry out after you expose it to flame and heat it up (that speeds up the process). Trust me because I've learned the hard way. The same is true for didgeridoos. I use a small hand drill to make the holes of bamboo flutes (usually about 10 mm), and I use sandpaper to get the small strands of bamboo out of the holes and out of the inside of the bamboo flute. I later apply one coat of polyurethane to the flute after designing it and making sure that it produces beautiful sounds.

Every time I make a flute, I am in the process of refining my technique. I am always willing to experiment and think outside of the box.

When you play the flute, make sure that your fingers completely cover all of the holes. Sometimes, you think you are covering all the holes when you are not. It is usually harder to produce a sound with the holes towards the end of the flute. As you become a more experienced flautist, you'll learn how to produce a sound. Remember that the transverse flute should be held to the side, and it should be roughly perpendicular with your line of vision--in other words, you will be looking forward and the flute will be held at a right angle. My flutes are made for someone who puts the left hand on the first three holes (usually) and then the right hand on the last three or four holes (depending on how many holes I make). Some of my flutes have a lower hole where you can put your left thumb. Some flutes I make are modeled after the Bulgarian/Macedonian kaval. I will discuss more about that once that instrument becomes available. The kaval is a beautiful sounding flute, but it is more like an open pipe and is played at a forty five degree angle. With all flutes, you have to experiment with embouchure or the placement of your lips. Blowing a little harder will produce a higher register (the same notes, one octave higher). With most of my flutes, you will not be able to produce a scale (these flutes create different, unique meditative sounds), but you will be able to produce beautiful music if you listen to the sound of the flute.

As for didgeridoos, the four foot bamboo didgeridoo is best for beginners. Making a didgeridoo seems simple, but it is actually difficult. I'll tell you why--the difference is the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece for the didgeridoo needs to be perfectly designed. Why? Because the didgeridoo will not play without a well designed mouthpiece. If you go to my photo gallery, you'll see some examples of a well carved mouthpiece. How do you make it? First, don't make it too wide. Use a carving knife and some sandpaper (get rougher grit, medium grit, and fine grit). Have fun doing the work--it should be nice and rounded so when you put your lips on it, it feels nice and smooth. The wider the didgeridoo, the harder it is too make the mouthpiece. Also, wider didgeridoo are harder to play, so don't make one too wide.

But if you want to avoid all of the trouble of making one of these instruments, I suggest buying one from us. If you are not satisfied, we will send you another instrument more to your liking (you would have to pay shipping and handling, though). I've made a lot of these instruments over the years, and I wouldn't give a customer a flute or a didgeridoo that I wouldn't play myself. Working with bamboo is a way of life for me--not a business endeavor. That's why I keep the prices low. But most of all, I hope you enjoy our instruments!