Bamboo Balloon Flutes

[Mark Meckes]

It's amazing how many notes can be played through this...
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-291f.jpg
one-hole bamboo balloon flute (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=781) ...actually it can sound more like a warble.
This is achieved by sticking your fingertips at the two ends at various pressures and sequences as you play.
Small balloons were slipped over each end, stretched taut, then rolled back on themselves.
Another method is to stretch some latex over the holes and tie it on.
They also work without the addition of balloons but do not have as much of a warble.
Try making them using assorted diameters and lengths of bamboo... very interesting sounds and lots of fun.
They can be tuned to different fundamental pitches or just whatever
...group orchestration anyone? hmmmm

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

The balloon flute is actually a hydrid instrument having similarities with mirlitons. These are instruments that have membranes attached to them that vibrate in sympathy with the sound source.
Flutes of varying designs can have additional holes made in them, and then a membrane is secured over this hole.
Depending how they are made, they can produce sounds as varied as a kazoo type effect, or a very fine reed-instrument sound.
While playing the the instrument shown, touching the balloon membranes very lightly will produce variations of the above sounds.
Also another variation is to be able to pull on a nodule that is
attached to the membrane - releasing it produces an additional fwack!! sound.
I've experimented making the blow-hole round and also as a slot.
These simple instruments provide good practice at making flute blowholes.

Mark

[Angel]

Yes, they are really amazing...
If they are enough good players, of course you can make a group with them!!

Angel

[TribalWind]

very cool.!

Mark you mentioned about flutes that have membranes placed over additional holes in the body...
i dont know of any others, but in china they have the "dizi" flute, to hear it played by a master is a special gift for sure.

heres a description.
this site,actually, is full of VERY INTERESTING EXOTIC INSTRUMENTS and music.
i recommend browsing through the many areas!

http://www.asza.com/

[Mark Meckes]

Let's make a boo-kazoo!

Interesting link TribalWind..will need to check it out some more.
Says...
"This rice paper is held in place by placing a small amount of garlic juice around the hole, and slightly moistening the paper as it is placed into position."

I would also suggest ...
Don't use lemon juice or all you will be playing is sour notes!!

Mark

[motleyjust]

I have quite a bit of information on different kinds of kazoos and merlitons in the photos, files and links sections of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kazooz

That reminds me, I have to go put a link there to my instructable, It's about kazooz, but not bamboo ones this time.