Pan Flute

A pan flute is a member of the woodwind family of instruments. The length of the straw determines the note that is played. Sound is produced by the vibration of an air-stream blowing through the straw. The air resonates the straw producing a pitch. The longer the straw the lower the pitch, the shorter the straw the higher the pitch. There are 8 notes in a scale. The lowest note and the highest note are called an octave. Therefore the longest straw is an octave higher than the shortest one.

8 plastic straws

Ruler

Marker

Scissors

Tape

Start with a 6” straw and then remove a ½” from the rest of the straws.

Your straws should be:

• 5.5”
• 5”
• 4.5”
• 4”
• 3.5”
• 3”
• 2.5”

Cut straws but save the excess for spacers!

Cut all excess pieces to 2" for spacers and place them in between each straw.

Carefully tape your straws together.