WTB Really long bones

[wood&feathers]

I have made flutes with all kinds of stuff but would like to try some really LONG bird bones, like from ostrich, emu, cranes and such. Something domesticated and legal. Anybody?

 

[Imp]

Kinda cool idea kinda creepy too. Please post pix if you get any made.

Imp

 

[little_grey_bantam]

Deer bones??%Pr

 

[wood&feathers]

Got lots of deer bones. I also have used turkey and leg bones from a really big roo. I guess I need to put some pics of the bone flutes on my Facebook page.


Usually I make quenas or simple flutes (the kind you need embouchure to play). Even now quenas are often made from bone or with a bone mouthpiece.

The oldest known flutes made by humans are crane bones from China, approx 40,000 old.

There are bear bones from Europe that were in a Neanderthal site. Scientists are arguing over whether the holes are tooth marks or drilled

 

[BBK]

You know, my dad used to have a turkey caller made from turkey bones...worked really well too...
have you tried any of these B4? just curious..
melinda

 

[wood&feathers]

Yup, BBK, that's a wingbone yelper. They are easy to make. The Native Americans used them, though they usually just used the first, smallest wingbone, sometimes with a few holes to change pitch. You make kissing sounds into the end. Nowadays people epoxy at least one or two more wing bone pieces so it has a bell on it. They can be scrimshawed too.

My main interest is recreating peculiar bone tubes that I believe were quena-type flutes. They are often in museum collections as misc. bone tubes. I try to use stone tools so that archaeologists can study the way a blowing edge is modified. I also keep examples of naturally chewed or abraded flute-like bones I find in the woods so I can show them the same shapes that aren't flutes. If any of that makes sense...

 

[BBK]

I find in the woods so I can show them the same shapes that aren't flutes. If any of that makes sense...

some of it does...that's so cool....Yep on the kissing noise, but i don't think his was glued together.... but it worked, even my husband tried it, we have loads of turkey here.. do you have pics of your flutes? would love to see them. Are they kinda like a pan flute, we have one of those here? Got it FREE off of freecycle when we were going to get a amplifier. and Bong-gos too... great hule DS was thrilled!

Melinda​

 

[wood&feathers]

No, the pan flutes are fun but I have an Ecuadoran friend who makes very nice ones so I haven't tried yet. The ones that sell best are contemporary Native American style construction. Easy to play, beautiful sound, like a recorder. I have pics on my FB page. The ones I have the most fun making are harder to play - the Andean quena, Japanese shakuhachi and regular transverse simple flutes. The quena and shak are end blown - you have to blow like on a transverse flute but hold the flute out in front of you instead of sideways.

 

[BBK]

The ones I have the most fun making are harder to play - the Andean quena, Japanese shakuhachi and regular transverse simple flutes. The quena and shak are end blown - you have to blow like on a transverse flute but hold the flute out in front of you instead of sideways.

never heard of these B4. But i did play a flute in school, a long time ago, so i know the concept. Sounds really interesting too.
melinda

so what do your chicks think of it... do they run? or sway to the music?​

 

[wood&feathers]

The first time my favorite hens seemed to cock their heads, listening with interest. That was a pretty deep, soft toned flute. They didn't like yesterday's high pitched one, jumping out of my lap and running in circles clucking an alarm. Guess I'll stick to the middle range A and G in the pen.