How to Carve an Indian Flute
- 1). Cut a piece of bamboo that has a diameter of at least ¾ inch and measures 20 inches long. Cut one end beneath the natural section of the bamboo so that it will be closed.
- 2). Take measurements for the holes of the flute. Turn the bamboo to the blocked end and use a ruler to measure 1 inch from this end. Mark the 1-inch spot. From the 1-inch mark, measure and mark another 6 inches. From the 6-inch spot, measure another 5 inches and divide it into 5 sections, each section having a 1-inch space between them.
- 3). Create holes in the flute by drilling through the bamboo piece from the unblocked end using the ½ drill bit. This smoothes out the inside and gives it an uniform size. Drill down until you get to the blocked portion of the bamboo, but do not drill through it.
- 4). Place the drill on the top of the bamboo where you marked the holes and drill a hole ½ deep. Then drill holes at the points you marked on the top of the bamboo.
- 5). Smooth the holes of the flute with sand paper. Roll up the sand paper before inserting it in the holes. Move the sand paper up and down the flute smooth over the rough exterior of the holes as well.
- 6). Sketch a Native American etching on the flute with a pencil. Using a knife, carve the etching into the flute using your sketch as a guide. Once it is finished, sand over the flute to smooth out the surface. Apply a protective coating of linseed oil on the Indian flute and let it dry. (See "Resources" for designs)
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