How to Make a Pan Flute Out of Straws

I find myself fascinated with a lot of odd things. One of those things are makeshift instruments. So now I'll share with you one of the first makeshift instruments that I learned how to make.

Step 1: Materials/Setup

Here are the things you'll need to make your pan flute:

• Approx. 13 drinking straws (You might not really need all 13 straws. You might be able to use 1 straw for multiple straw sizes.)
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 ruler
• 1 roll of tape

After you have all of the materials, to setup, if you have bendy straws extend all of them to their full length. If you don't have bendy straws, then just go on to the next step.

Step 2: Cutting the Straws

After you have all of the materials and have them set up, you need to cut all of the straws to a different length. The lengths are:

1. 1 3/8 in.
2. 1 3/4 in.
3. 1 7/8 in.
4. 2 1/4 in.
5. 2 1/2 in.
6. 2 7/8 in.
7. 3 1/4 in.
8. 3 5/8 in.
9. 4 in.
10. 4 1/2 in.
11. 5 1/8 in.
12. 5 5/8 in.
13. 6 1/8 in.

Once you cut all of the straws at the different lengths you can go to the next step.

Step 3: Taping the Straws

After cutting all of the straws lay out a strip of tape that is about two times the combined width of all of the straws. Then set out all of the straws from longest to shortest starting from one end of the tape strip. Next, wrap the other half of the tape over all of the straws, making sure that it completely covers each straw (If it doesn't, you may need to cut another smaller piece of tape) and then you're finished! Now go and create music with your awesome new pan flute!