Assess flutes and care of the flute

 

 

Flute repair aspects will depend on :

 

 

FLUTE REPAIRS ASSESSMENT

TO PREVENT DENTS and DAMAGE ALWAYS KEEP THE FLUTE IN ITS CASE AFTER USE. SMALL KNOCKS ON SIDES OF FURNITURE TABLES CAN ENTIRELY MOVE PAS OUT OF POSITION AND PREVENT CLOSING

 

  • Interior and sideways play of flute shafts
  • groove depth of flute pads - assess if we can still iron some pads under heat or some or all need replacing
  • Current directional horizontal pad leaks
  • Compression state of flutepads
  • Extenent Pad wrinkling + marks + tears
  • Key alignments F F#
  • Key alignments B Bb
  • Key alignment G G#
  • Key alignment Footjoint
  • Condition / fit of tenons
  • Crown cork measurements
  • Cork depth aligments
  • Screw wear
  • RIm condition on tone holes
  • And other

In general a service can "get your flute going " as lkong as it doesnt need a more in depth overhaul

ASSEMBLY and CARE


HEAD CROWN
this is the ;little screw out cap at the back of headjoint 
 Sont ever unscrew that - the flute loses tonal centre and tuning - when the cork ( hardly ever happens gets loose and VERY old send it into  us for repairs


Assembling

When installing the foot joint and headjoint, do not hold the flute body or the foot joint with your hand around the keys or rods. This could bend the rods.
 
Rather always hold where they arr NO KEYS or no RODS 
 
 Hold the flute body up at the headjoint end where the name is engraved. Hold the foot joint at the bottom and gently twist the foot on. Flute tenons must be kept clean & dry. Do not use oil or grease on the tenons. Wipe the tenons and the sockets they fit in with a soft cloth frequently.

Cleaning the inside

Moisture is the enemy of every flute. The pads are made of felt with a covering of cow intestine lining called "fish skin" (go figure?) and we want to keep them dry. After every time you play or practice, use a soft cotton cleaning cloth with your cleaning rod to push it through the foot joint and body BUT NOT FLUFFY DUSTERS and NEVER use silver cloths ( silver will come off this way sooner than later )
 
. Stuff the end of the cleaning cloth the head joint with the cleaning rod, and twist it around enough times till you see it turn through the embouchure hole. Do not store your cleaning cloth in your case. You want the moisture away from your flute. 

Cleaning the outside

any soft cloth will do. Gently wipe the keys and body, being careful not to touch the pads as they are very delicate and tear easily.
 
use a soft cotton cleaning cloth BUT NOT FLUFFY DUSTERS and NEVER use silver cloths ( silver will come off this way sooner than later )  
 
SLIGHTLY DAMPED warm water will only now and thwen when REALLY NECCESSARY get rid of accumulated dirt
 
Also take care you do not catch the cloth on the springs. Do not use metal polish. It contains abrasives that may break the skin on the pads or get into the moving parts. Dust and dirt can be removed with a duster brush once a month.

CLEANING THE FLUTE PADS

Cut a rizla cigarette paper ( no other kind of paper ) to a width 50% of the flute holes diameter at the short side of the paper

With the pad open Place it in between the key pad and the rim of the tone hole.

Close the key, not so firmly as to make the grip on the paper immovable , and not so loose there is no pressure on the paper when you draw it out

Draw it out a few times from back front east west - Minor dirt will appear on the paper and be removed

Headjoint

Your cleaning rod has a reference line on the end of it. When the rod is inserted in the head joint until it meets the cork, this line should be in the center of the embouchure hole. NEVER EVER Adjust the head crown until it is centered by turning it clockwise to move the rod reference line in, and counter-clockwise to move it out. After turning it counter-clockwise you will have to push the crown in by pressing it against a table top protected with a soft cloth. The pitch of your flute may be changed by moving the headjoint in or out, not by turning the crown cork adjustment. Most flutes are set to play in tune with the headjoint out a few millimeters.

Oiling

Do not oil your flute . Proper oiling can only be accomplished by completely disassembling the flute. It is unlikely oiling will need to be done more than once a year. This is a service that is inexpensive, but can keep your flute in fine shape. If the keys are sticking they are probably gummed up with old oil & dirt and need proper cleaning rather than oiling.

Protection

Open your case on the floor or table. Be careful not to bump your flute against chairs, music stands, etc. Do not leave your flute unattended or in extreme temperatures, like in a car in summer. When not playing, either hold your flute or put it in the case. Do not set it on a chair or on the ledge of the music stand. Symphony musicians during intermission of a concert will carry their flutes with them. Their living depends on their instruments being in good condition, and so treat your flute like a professional. Do not store pencils, cleaning cloth, etc. in your case. Be sure your case is securely locked before you pick it up. Keep your case in a case cover for the best protection. If you leave your flute on a sofa or chair someone could sit on it. (It happens!!) Only keep the cleaning rod in the case if there is a proper storage place for it. Protect your instrument.
 

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