Everything you need to know about flute maintenance

The flute is the oldest wind instrument in the world. The most ancient flutes date back more than 40 000 years and were discovered in China and throughout Europe. The first flute model, as we know it, dates from the 11th century and was popularized in Europe by the troubadours who were travelling from country to country.

The Divje Babe flute (middle paleolithic era, approximately 43 000 years old) was discovered in 1995, by the Institute of Archaeology of the Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Cerkno (Slovenia). It's considered one of the oldest flutes in the world.

 

Properly caring for your flute and choosing the right products will help you save money on the long run. In this article we'll teach you everything you need to know about flute maintenance whether you are a beginner or an advanced player.

With the help of our flute repairs specialists Julie Dubreuil (Twigg Musique Montréal) and Fred Hanny (repair shop manager at Twigg Musique Québec), we offer you tips, advices and recommendations to help you care for your flute and save money.

    

8 signs that your flute needs maintenance

   

1.The keys and pads are sticky.

2.The keys are abnormally noisy.

3. Some notes (often in the extremes high/low parts of the register) are suddenly impossible or very hard to play. 

4. The mechanism is slower than usual, certain keys don't open properly.

5. You observe that your instrument seems more difficult to play.

6. Your last appointment was more than 12 months ago. 

7. You observe that certain screws are unscrewed or missing.

8.The flute has been stored for a couple of months without being played. 

  

Does one or more of these affirmations describe your current situation? It's time to book an appointment with your repair specialist.

 

 

Myth : Less playing with my flute = less damage to my flute. If I don't use my flute for a couple of months, it will be in better shape than if I used it every day. 

FALSE! This is a false assumption that if you play less with your instrument it will be in better shape. On the contrary, an instrument like the flute will be in better shape if played in a consistent manner because the pads (the little cushions under the keys) tcan dry or swell when the flute is put aside for too long.

In addition to regular professional maintenance, a continuous and regular use of your flute will help it stay in better shape.

 

7 easy habits to help keep your flute in great shape and reduce your maintenance bills.

  

1. Rinse your mouth with water before you play.

2. Clean your instrument after each use with a swab or a cleaning cloth.

3. Make sure that you have a good flute case and that your flute stays tightly in place during transport.

4. Keep your instrument in a place with a stable temperature and humidity level (like an instrument case).

5. Never let your flute on a stand for a long period of time (multiple days).

6. Make sure your repair technician is qualified to care for your instrument.

7. Use a brush with soft bristles to remove dirt from the mechanism. 

  

Tip : Take an appointment every 12 months if you are an amateur or beginner player and every 6 months if you are a professional flute player or play on a professional flute.  

 

Our 6 best tips for beginner flutists

  

1. Always make sure that you open the flute case on a flat and secure surface (a table, a sofa or your knees if you are sitting) so you don't drop any parts. With time you will get more comfortable manipulating the flute.

2. Be careful not to squeeze the mechanism when you assemble your flute. Place your hands on parts that don't have keys. 

3. Be careful not to squeeze the keys too hard when you play.

4. Use only a small swab or a cleaning cloth that was made for the flute.

5. Do not force a swab that is stuck in your instrument.*

6. Always dry the tenons to prevent oxidation and dirt accumulation. The tenons are the parts of the flute that fit together to assemble the flute.

   

*If a swab is stuck in your instrument, immediately call a repair technician. You could seriously damage your instrument if you try to remove a cleaning swab that is stuck in your instrument.

 

Tips for intermediate or advanced flute players

 

1. Verify that your repair technician is qualified to repair your flute's make and model.

  • Many instrument makers (especially professional brands) will issue certifications upon completion of a course to qualified repair technicians.The most common are Straubinger (pads), Yamaha, Buffet-Crampon and Powell.  
  • A qualified technician will also have access to a vast array of parts and pieces for professional, intermediate and beginner models. 

 

2. Ask your repair technician to help you find the best pads for your flute. Often, better pads will improve the sound of your flute.  

   

Our favourite maintenance products for the flute :

 

  

  

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 

  

 

How much does it cost to repair a flute? 

  

A routine adjustment will be between 50$ and 100$ (before taxes)* IF you have your flute regularly adjusted by a professional and you adopt good maintenance habits throughout the year.

If your flute has been stored away for a couple of years, it will probably need a complete overhaul which includes the change of all pads, felts, corks and the complete cleaning and adjusting of your flute (plus one year adjustment).

The exact price of an overhaul can only be estimated in our repair shop. If your instrument is damaged beyond repair, our team we'll help you figure out your best option to continue to play. 

* Prices here can be subject to changes and vary with your specific situation. We will (FOR FREE) give you a detailed estimate before starting even the smallest of repairs on your flute.  

 

What can I do if a key is sticky? 

 

If you are in a situation where a key is sticky and you don't have access to a technician here is what you should do : 

Try first to use a Yamaha Cleaning Paper on the sticky key 

1. Insert the corner of the paper under the key

2. Press on the key so the whole surface of the pad is in contact with the cleaning paper.

3. Pull gently on the paper to clean the key. 

  

Still sticky? Try again but first add a bit of friction alcohol on the cleaning paper. If you don't have cleaning paper, you can try with a regular sheet of paper or rolling paper for cigarettes.

  

  

DON'T DO THIS- The 3 most frequent mistakes for flute maintenance

  

Powder paper should be used only in emergency situations.

Solution : If your keys are sticky, try using the Yamaha cleaning paper instead and make sure to always rinse your mouth with water before playing. 

  •  
  • Mistake#2 Use liquid product to clean and polish silver on your flute

Solution : Use only silver cloths and never any liquid polish to clean your flute.

  • Mistake #3 Cleaning between the keys and inside the flute mechanism ❌  

Solution : Only clean and polish the parts of the flute that don't have keys on it.

Be careful, when you try to clean between the keys of the flute, you might damage your instrument.

   

Here you are! Ready to up your maintenance game and save money on future adjustments fees. Be sure to share this article!  

 

Thank you to our technicians Julie Dubreuil and Fred Hanny for their precious expert advice!

   

Julie Dubreuil   

Multi-instrument player and lover, she is always curious to learn more and she studied in many domains including computer science and large ensemble music. She has never stopped performing in large ensembles and she has always worked in the music field. Julie is a certified Powell and Straubinger technician that has been repairing since 2015.

We asked her what she liked about repairing flutes :

"I don't repair only flutes, but it's my specialty. It's a line of work that demands a crazy amount of patience, precision and the will to meet challenges. When you survive a difficult project, it's so satisfying! I also love the teamwork dynamic that we have with the musicians!" 

   

Fred Hanny   

Frédérick Hanny is the shop leader at Twigg Musique Québec, and specializes in woodwind repair. A member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), he holds many repair certifications: Straubinger, Yamaha and Buffet Crampon.

The Twigg Musique Team
Comments
Thank you Twigg Musique!

Thank you to your repair staff for quick and excellent service on my last visit to the store.

5 STARS
Donna - 16 Sep 2022 - 12:48
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