Nanxiao Chinese Bamboo Flute

thingiverse

This is a precise replica of my Chinese end-blown Nanxiao or Dongxiao bamboo flute, matching the Chinese version of the shakuhachi. Find the fingering chart here: http://www.goamcan.com/imports/How-to-play-xiao.html - choose the 8 hole version that matches this flute. I'm supplying an STL file for the entire flute in one piece, one file where the flute is cut into seven pieces, and also the individual files. A joint is added between the mouthpiece and the second piece, requiring some polishing. The other pieces can be glued together using epoxy. I'm including three alternative mouthpieces: nanxiao_shaku gives a louder sound with more overtones, while the original mouthpiece provides a quieter, fuller sound. Nanxiao_travers produces a sound somewhere in between, while nanxiao_xiao is modeled after a Chinese xiao flute, longer and typically closed on top with only a small blow hole on the edge. After Printing The mouthpiece needs some polishing; the blowing edge is the outer triangular edge of the notch. Sharpening may be necessary with polishing paper or a sharp knife. I often cut away material from the inner edges of the notch to allow more oscillating air into the flute body, helping to produce a louder sound. A common problem I've found with 3D printed flutes is that it's somewhat difficult to blow the lowest notes. For these notes, the air has to move over a large distance, and the roughness of the inner wall causes too much friction. To avoid this, polish the inner wall by wrapping polishing paper around a stick until the notes start ringing properly. I've printed flutes with different base tones by scaling size up or down from bass to soprano range, all sounding great. The best sound results were achieved with PLA filament filled with either glass particles or organic materials such as coffee or wood.