Ideal Lengths and Bore Diameters

The ideal bore diameter and length depends on a few factors, including the flute makers
desires and experiences. But, in general, if one asks what the best bore length-todiameter ratio is, the answer is likely 18:1 or between 18:1 and 20:1.
Lew Paxton Price discusses this topic in his Secrets of the Flute and More Secrets of
the Flute books. In his first book, he says the ideal ratio for a NAF with a 1.4-octave
range is LA/D = 20, where LA is the actual length of the bore and D is the bore diameter.
For flutes with larger ranges, the ratio is higher in order to support the upper octave notes.
In his second book, he emphasizes that the L/D ratio is an approximation that is good for
flutes in the mid range. For lower or higher flutes, he suggests using the ratio L/D2 = 24,
where L is now LA + K1 (K1 = D/3, and is the acoustic extension at the foot of the actual
bore). Note that for the mid range, LA/D and L/D2 are about the same.
Another question is what bore diameter is best for a desired key (or vice-versa). Russ
Wolf addressed this question in Flute Shop: A Guide to Crafting a Native American
Style Flute, and gave a chart that serves as a guide to selecting an appropriate bore. The
theoretical bore diameter question is linked to the length-to-diameter ratio, and depends
on playing temperature and K2 (the acoustic extension at the TSH). The total acoustic
length (K2 + LA + K1) defines the half wavelength of the fundamental note, and hence
the frequency, which in turn depends on the speed of sound at a particular temperature.
The bottom line is this: if you know K2 and the playing temperature, you can calculate
the key a flute with an ideal flute ratio as described above.
To find K2, the best way is to build a flute and measure the fundamental pitch. Convert
the frequency to wavelength, divide by 2, subtract (LA + K1), and the result is K2. In my
experience, K2 = 2.5 x D is a decent first guess (within about inch) for a TSH that is
half the bore diameter wide (for instance, K2 is about 17/8 inches for a 3/4-inch bore) and
a bird with no chimney. Below is a chart showing the acoustic length of a half
wavelength for the fundamental pitch of various keys (temperature = 75 degrees).

Half Wavelength vs Key

Length (inches)

30

26.09

25

24.63

23.25

21.94

20.71

20

19.55

18.45

17.42

15

16.44 15.52
14.64 13.82

13.05 12.31
11.62 10.97
10.36

10
5
0
C

C#

D#

F#

G#

Key

A4

A#

C#

D#

The temperature has less of an impact than K2. For a 5-degree difference, the pitch will
change by about 4 cents (sharper in warmer air). The resulting change in length (longer
for warmer air) will fall between about 1/16 or 3/32 inches for a midrange flute.
As an exercise in approximating the best key and bore length for different bore diameters,
I calculated some curves for LA/D = 20 and 18, and L/D2 = 24. I assumed a playing
temperature of 75 degrees F, and K2 = 2.5 x D. I also plotted Russ Wolfs
recommendations along with a fitted curve for diameters in between the 1/8-inch steps in
router bit sizes. The charts are plotted on the next page.
These charts can be used in a couple ways. One example is as follows: Lets say you
want to make a low C# flute. First, find the low C# on the first chart (MIDI=61), and
find the corresponding bore diameter. If you use the LA/D = 18 rule, that is a diameter of
a little less than 1 inches. The L/D2 = 24 rule allows for narrower bores, which is a
little less than 1 inch in this case. Now look at the same diameter on the second chart and
find the corresponding actual bore length of about 21 inches, or about 22 inches for the
L/D2 = 24 rule. Note that a narrower bore results in a longer actual length because both
K1 and K2 will be shorter, but the acoustic length is fixed. Also, if your TSH is smaller
or if your bird has a chimney, the increase in K2 will require a corresponding decrease in
the actual bore length.
If you dont happen to have a router bit with a diameter of a little less than 1 inches,
you can pick a diameter in between the extremes of the LA/D and L/D2 rules and
interpolate between the resulting lengths. You could also use Russ Wolfs
recommendations as shown in the graphs. Another option is to mill an oval bore with the
effective diameter you want by routing a little deeper to add a small amount of
rectangular cross section to the bore as shown below.

Deff

A=

Deff2

A=

Deff2 = D 2 +

D 2 + wD

4wD

Finally, keep in mind that these are all approximations to get you close to the final
dimensions. Always make the actual bore length an inch of so longer than you think
youll need, and trim it as you tune the fundamental note. Experiment by making flutes,
and see for yourself how close the theory really is!
- Mike (moosewinds_mike@yahoo.com)

MIDI Value

Ideal Key vs. Bore Diameter

82
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
56

A5
G
F
D#
C#
B
A4
G
F
D#
C#
B
A3
0

G#
F#
E
D
C
A#
G#
F#
E
D
C
A#

(L+K1)/D^2=24
L/D=20
L/D=18
Russ Wolf
Wolf Fit

0.25

0.5

0.75

1.25

1.5

Bore Diameter

Ideal Length vs. Bore Diameter

30

Bore Length (Actual)

(L+K1)/D^2=24

25

L/D=20
L/D=18
Russ Wolf

20

Wolf Fit

15
10
5
0.25

0.5

0.75

Bore Diameter

1.25

1.5

References:
Lew Paxton Price, Secrets of the Flute: the Physics, Math, and Design of NonMechanical Folk Flutes, 2nd Ed., Copyright 1991.
Lew Paxton Price, More Secrets of the Flute: More of the Physics, Math, and Design of
Non-Mechanical Folk Flutes, Copyright 1997.
R. A. Wolf, Flute Shop: a Guide to Crafting the Native American Style Flute,
Copyright 2001, 2003.