Flute Dimensions

Here are some of my favorite sets of dimensions to give you a starting point from which to make your own flutes.

Plastic Conduit Flute in G

The body of this piccolo is 1/2" Grey PVC and a rubber stopper plugs the head end.

The total length of the pipe is 412 mm.

Hole positions measured from the leftmost end of the pipe to the center of each hole.

Hole Position Diameter

Embouchure 30 mm 9 mm

Left Index 203 mm 9 mm

Left Middle 232 mm 8 mm

Left Ring 263 mm 10 mm

Right Index 298 mm 7 mm

Right Middle 320 mm 11 mm

Right Ring 352 mm 9 mm

Hole	Position	Diameter
Embouchure	30 mm	9 mm
Left Index	203 mm	9 mm
Left Middle	232 mm	8 mm
Left Ring	263 mm	10 mm
Right Index	298 mm	7 mm
Right Middle	320 mm	11 mm
Right Ring	352 mm	9 mm

CPVC Piccolo in D

The body of this piccolo is 1/2" CPVC, a CPVC end joint is modified to deepen the embouchure (mouth hole), and a rubber stopper plugs the head end.

The total length of the pipe is 278 mm.

Hole positions measured from the leftmost end of the pipe to the center of each hole.

Hole Position Diameter

Embouchure 23 mm 9 mm

Left Index 136 mm 6 mm

Left Middle 156 mm 6 mm

Left Ring 177 mm 6 mm

Right Index 198 mm 6 mm

Right Middle 216 mm 8 mm

Right Ring 238 mm 6 mm

Hole	Position	Diameter
Embouchure	23 mm	9 mm
Left Index	136 mm	6 mm
Left Middle	156 mm	6 mm
Left Ring	177 mm	6 mm
Right Index	198 mm	6 mm
Right Middle	216 mm	8 mm
Right Ring	238 mm	6 mm

Notes

Of course you should start holes smaller than stated to allow for tuning.

It's also nice to the "left ring" hole up 25 degrees and the "right middle" hole up by 10 degrees for easier reach as is done on Mark Shepard's Plumber's Pipe. Decorative and finishing techniques like those mentioned in my modifications to the Plumber's Pipe can be used on this PVC flute as well.

Cautions

Remember that plastic dust is bad for your lungs and never dissolves. Use wet/dry sandpaper underwater or stick with tools which produce shavings (i.e. drills and knives). Acetone is pretty nasty stuff too. Pay attention to the warnings on the can if you use it.

I hope you take some of these ideas and try it! The materials are so inexpensive and the time and effort required so minimal. Let me encourage you to at least give it a shot. Whether you build Mark Shepard's original "Plumber's Pipe" or modify it in these or any other way, I'd like to hear about your experiences along the way.

Good luck, and have fun!

Rick Miller

Web design: Rick Miller rdmiller3@gmail.com