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Chalumeau Family

Status: L2 V5 build-packet candidate. This is a prototype-validation scaffold with parametric tables, starter CAD/drawings, presentation exports, and measurement templates, but it is not a validated/build-ready or measured chalumeau packet.

Bare-bones readiness packet for a family of single-reed chalumeaux: keyless folk-pipe simplicity first, optional handmade two-key metalwork second, and a documented path toward clarinet-style register experiments. The current repo is a prototype-validation scaffold, not a build-ready or measured packet.

Inspiration chalumeau with turned wood body, raised tone-hole collars, black mouthpiece, and flared bell Photo/reference instrument by Petr Skalicky / Dudy.eu, from dudy.eu/chalumeau.php. Used here as an attributed design reference, not as Tony's own build photo.

GitHub Repo Metadata

Description: Parametric build packet for a handmade chalumeau family, including stopped-reed acoustics, tone-hole schedules, SolidWorks design tables, and DIY keywork.

Suggested topics: chalumeau, woodwind, single-reed, clarinet-history, instrument-making, parametric-design, solidworks, acoustic-modeling, cnc-lathe, woodworking, music-technology, build-packet

What this is

This repository now contains a first-pass engineering packet for designing and prototyping a family of chalumeaux in soprano C, alto G, tenor C, and bass F. The design is parametric: body length, bore, tone-hole positions, and optional levers are driven from formulas rather than hidden one-off dimensions. It is not yet a build-ready or empirically validated packet; the first soprano prototype still needs measured reed, mouthpiece, bore, tuning, and response data.

The packet starts from attributed Dudy.eu chalumeau reference photos in assets/images/, Tony's Musical Instruments.xlsx workbook, and especially the reed/bore lessons in the Great Highland Bagpipe sheet. The acoustic model is not copied from Native American style flute K2 corrections. A chalumeau is a cylindrical, single-reed, effectively stopped pipe, so it gets its own validation loop.

Family plan

ID Variant Root Bore ID Final body L Blank L Sections
CLM-SOP-C4 Soprano C C4 0.5 12.672 14.172 1 body + mouthpiece + bell
CLM-ALT-G3 Alto G G3 0.625 16.939 18.439 1 body + mouthpiece + bell
CLM-TEN-C3 Tenor C C3 0.75 25.483 26.983 2 body joints + mouthpiece + bell
CLM-BAS-F2 Bass F F2 0.875 38.32 39.82 3 body joints + mouthpiece + bell

The recommended build order is CLM-SOP-C4 first, with no levers, using a commercial reed/mouthpiece. Once that speaks cleanly, add the two optional levers to the same body or a second soprano body. Then scale up to alto, tenor, and bass.

Why some have levers

Keyless chalumeaux are mechanically close to folk reed pipes: finger holes cover the notes that are reachable by hand. A few levers appear when a useful tone hole is too low, too high, too large, or too awkward to cover directly. The historical two-key chalumeau/early clarinet moment is exactly that transition: keys first helped extend and smooth the low register, then the clarinet moved one key into a better register vent position and gradually accumulated more keys for chromatic notes, trills, low extensions, and better intonation.

Root starter packet

These root-level files are the review entry point for the current bare-bones packet. They keep missing measurements and authority gaps visible before anyone uses the deeper build/ artifacts for shop work.

  • design.md - current assumptions, acoustic boundary, evidence map, and promotion gates.
  • bom.csv - starter material/components list with source and authority status.
  • validation.csv - gates that must pass before L3/build-ready claims.
  • risks.md - acoustic, fabrication, sourcing, keywork, and documentation risks.
  • photo-shotlist.md - future public-safe prototype documentation shots.
  • capstone-manifest.json - root packet metadata and release gates.
  • explorer.html - studio review surface for the packet, measurement loop, and capstone files.
  • visual-output-register.csv - V5 authority register for existing CAD, drawing, presentation, image, and measurement artifacts.
  • cad/mcp-session-log.md - V5 provenance stub for this migration; no MCP/creative-tool session generated new artifacts here.
  • qmd-step-0.md - Round 4 CLI retrieval record.

Measurement capture loop

Issue #1 is the first measured-data gate. These files are templates, not completed measurements:

Existing build packet map

  • build/packet/ - design narrative, BOM, sourcing, cut list, validation loop, validation gates, assembly, RFQ, drawing/visual briefs, and Wolfram starter.
  • build/presentation/ - capstone deck, printable packet, HTML/PDF exports, and manifest.
  • build/design-tables/ - Excel and SolidWorks-ready design tables.
  • build/drawings/ - dimensioned drawing sheets and drawing exports.
  • build/cad/ - CAD/OpenSCAD/SolidWorks source and exports.
  • build/cnc/ - CNC/CAM plans, setup sheets, fixtures, and toolpaths.
  • build/hardware/ - handmade lever/keywork parts, guides, and hardware tables.
  • assets/images/ - photos, attributed references, concept art, and generated visuals.
  • docs/ - attribution, provenance, research, handoff notes, and reorganization manifest.

V5 Authority Boundary

The current packet is reviewable at L2, not L3. build/cad/, build/drawings/, build/design-tables/, and build/presentation/ are useful starter artifacts, but their dimensions and visual callouts still need shop review, reed/mouthpiece setup records, prototype pitch/response captures, and CAD/DXF authority review before any build-ready claim. The attributed photos under assets/images/ are reference images, not Tony shop photos or dimensional evidence.

Status

Area Status
Acoustic model first-order stopped cylindrical reed model drafted; needs measured correction
Parametric family table formula-derived scaffold, with SolidWorks export
Keywork concept two-key handmade lever system specified
Manufacturing drawings SVG first-pass sheets present; not reviewed fabrication authority
Shop build method starter workflow for prototype review
Reed/tuning validation capture templates and validation loop ready; needs measured prototype data
SolidWorks variable conventions and design table ready

License

Released under CC-BY 4.0 for original written/design content in this repository. The Dudy.eu reference photos are attributed source images, not Tony-owned build photos; replace them with shop photos as prototypes are built.

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Parametric build packet for a handmade chalumeau family, including stopped-reed acoustics, tone-hole schedules, SolidWorks design tables, and DIY keywork.

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