To make a flute, first find a good piece of wood that is relatively small and round, making sure that it has no imperfections. Pare the bark from the wood and carve it into the desired shape. Include any decorative markings, leaving space for holes down the front and a hole towards one end as a mouthpiece.

Next hollow out the inside of the flute using a curved, long handled chisel. Heat the chisel to allow it to burn a path through the wood, starting at the end away from where the mouthpiece hole will be. The end near the lip hole should remain closed.

After hollowing out the inside of the flute, create a hole to blow across to produce sound. Use a sharp pointed tool, heated, and bore the hole about a hand's width from the end of the flute. The hole should be about the size of a thumbnail. The hole can then be shaped with a knife, leaving the side opposite the lips rather thick.

To make the rest of the holes, measure down another hand's width. Again using the heated point, bore eight holes in the flute, evenly spaced over the body of the flute, making sure that each hole is made cleanly.



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