Introduction: How to Make the "Plastic Saxophone" - Friki Sounds Project

By ignasi
About: These are days of change.These changes present us new economic paradigms: human, spiritual and even with the planet Earth. I think everyone should put their bit to build a better society. In my case, "what I …

In this video I show how to make a double reed instrument using "gardener's plastic". I like to call it "Plastic saxophone", but actually I'd be like a Duduk or Oboe, but I think it sounds like a saxophone or clarinet.
THIS IS NOT MY IDEA, it's Xavi Lozano's idea (check www.xavibufa.com), but I think he would be happy to see that I'm trying to spread its knowledge around.
Although you can make your own plastic saxophone at home, I sell it also for good price :)
If you have some questions or you need some tips, send me an email at bolotduario@gmail.com
Ah! If you make some plastic saxophone, please record some audio or video and upload it at youtube!
Be happy and creative as I try to be ;)
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SOME TIPS THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO YOU:

Déjame que te explique... tienes que hacer 7 agujeros delante y uno atrás
7. será la nota SI (aunque luego la flauta estará en Do mayor)
(muy poco espacio ya que es medio tono).
6. será la nota DO.
(aunque se trate de un solo tono, tienes que dejar más distancia de la normal)
5. RE
(muy poco espacio aunque se trate de un tono entero... créeme.
4. MI
(aunque solo hay medio tono, deja una distancia como si fuera de un tono).
3. FA
(deja distancia de un tono)
2. Sol
(deja distancia de un tono)
1. La
(distancia de un tono)
0. Si
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El agujero de atrás tiene una distancia de un tono, pero óbviamente en la parte posterior. Tiene que ser muy pequeño.
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Recuerda poner los agujeros 7-6-5-4 en la parte derecha de la flauta y 3-2-1 en la parte izquierda. El agujero de atrás en el centro del tubo. Sea como sea, lo mejor es que lo acomodes a tus manos. Es muy importante que no estés forzando.

Sea como sea, el tono viene determinado por lo bien que esté hecha la lengueta doble. Tiene que estar muy fina pero no debe abrirse por las bandas.

Recuerda también que si toda la flauta está muy grave, solo cortando muy poco la lengueta, el tono de toda la flauta cambia. Si la flauta resultante te quedara en un tono alto, la tendrás que hacer de nuevo :(

Por último, intenta jugar con el tamaño de los agujeros. Digamos que la nota Mi (que la tendrás cuando hayas hecho los agujeros 7, 6 y 5), puedes hacer el agujero 5 más grande y verás que la nota mi será más aguda y se adecua al tono. Si por contra, dicha nota está grave, pon un poco de cinta adhesiva en en agujero 5. Necesitarás un afinador cerca, créeme jaja
[he dicho la nota MI como podría haber dicho cualquiera de la escala].

¡Espero que esta información os sea útil!
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ENGLISH

Let me explain ti to you ... have to do 7 holes in front and one behind

7. B (but then remember that the flute is in C major)
(very little space as it is a half stone).
6. C
(even if it's one tone, you have to leave more distance than normal)
5. D
(very little space between holes although  it is a whole tone ... believe me).
4. E
(although there is only a half step, leave a distance like one tone).
3. F
(distance like one tone)
2. G
(distance like one tone)
1. A
(distance like one tone)
0. B
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The hole located behind is at "one tone stance" approximately. It must be very small.
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Remember to put the holes 7-6-5-4 on the right side of the flute and 3-2-1 on the left. The hole behind the tube must be in the center. Anyway,O recommend you to put the holes according to the measure of your hands. It is very important that you are not forcing.

Ah, and remember that the tone is determined by how you've made the double reed. It must be very thin but be careful of not breaking any part of it

Remember also that if all the flute is it too low (let's say quarter tone), you have to cut a little bit the double reed and the entire tone of the flute will change. If the final flute is too high, you have to do another one :(

Finally, try to o play with the hole's sizes. Let's say the note E (the note that you have when you have done the holes 7, 6 and 5) it's too low: you can make the 5th hole larger and you'll notice that the E note will be higher and precise. Otherwise, if the note is too high, put some tape on in hole 5. You need to have the Chromatic tuner around haha
[I said the note MI as could have said any of the scale].

I hope this information is useful to you!