Membrane Flute

This goofy little instrument uses a membrane that vibrates as air passes across it. The small ring with the membrane glued to it screws onto the body. Tightening the screw  stretches the membrane tighter across the output opening, and thus varies the pitch. It sounds a little like a sick water buffalo playing a kazoo, but its a lot of fun trying to get a recognizable tune out of it. 

For the membrane, you can use a latex balloon, a latex glove, or in my case, I used a nitril glove. Anything thin and stretchy. Cut out a piece of your membrane and then lay it flat, taping it to a flat surface if necessary. Then apply a thin, uniform bead of CA glue to the edge of the ring and press it onto the membrane. Use the edge of the ring furthest from the internal thread. After the glue sets, trim off the excess membrane and screw the ring onto the flute body. Start blowing with the membrane loose and then try tightening it up. Do not overtighten or you will tear the membrane.

As for playing it, you are on your own to experiment!

Note that this is an in-line version of my earlier membrane bugle. This instrument can be very loud. Re-plumbing it so that it points away from you keeps you from blasting yourself.

Design by LoboCNC on MakerWorld (license: BY-SA).