Is it the Flute? Or is it me? – Part 5
Common problems to check for on your flute:
There are some common problems to check for on your flute so that you can determine:
Is it the flute? Or is it me?
Here’s part five in this series. All of the problems occur as the result of either simple aging, or rough/ careless handling.
After you’ve checked all these things you should have a clearer idea how much (if any) repair your flute needs, and can take it in to be seen to by a reputable flute technician or repair person.
Things to check yourself:
Avoid excessive use of pad-cleaning papers:
If you use cigarette or other papers to clean pads please avoid holding the keys down and pulling the paper out from underneath. This activity damages the pad surfaces, eventually causing the pads to rip. The correct way to dry an overly wet pad is to lay a gum-less paper on it, tap the key lightly, and remove the paper while the pad is UP.
Avoid extremes of temperature:
Don’t leave your flute in the car where it can be subject to extremely hot or cold temperatures which can damage the pads. If your flute is very cold, and you start to practice and water droplets are building up very quickly in the head joint, you may
wish to swab it more frequently in order to keep pads from getting over-saturated, and to avoid a “stuffy sound” in the water-logged head joint.
Avoid dust, dirt and pet hair from entering your flute’s mechanism.
Pet hair, is the most common item found wrapped around the inside of the flute’s moving parts. If you have dogs or cats, keep the flute case closed whenever you’re not using it, and avoid placing your flute on a couch or bed where pet hairs may cling. In general, don’t leave your flute out, but put it safely in its case when not in use.