How do I get my flute unstuck?
Hold the footjoint with your thumb either on the actual pinky key (E-flat key) or on Db key. Then use the palm of your hand and other fingers to aid in the twisting motion. Be careful not to grab and smoosh the mechanism.. This will cause other issues.
Why is my flute suddenly not working?
The flute has wet out. One reason could be that you are playing outside and the wind steals your breath. The answer to that problem is to play where the wind cannot take your flute’s voice away. The other reason a flute would suddenly stop producing a tone would be if the flute “wet out.”
Do piccolos need cork grease?
If you are playing a metal piccolo, there is no need for cork grease (because there is no cork) but in this case, make sure the tenon is free from all dust and debris by wiping it off occasionally with a clean, dry cloth.
How do you fix a piccolo?
Here is something to try – take the headjoint off the piccolo, make sure the tenon cork is well greased, and then put the headjoint back on. Pull the headjoint quickly straight off the instrument. You may give it a slight twist to assist the process. Listen for a pop as it comes off the body.
Where do you line up the embouchure hole on the head joint with?
Eyeballing down from the crown (tip of headjoint) you would line up the striking edge of the embouchure hole (the far side, where the air splits) with the center of the flute’s keys.
How do I stop my flute from rolling?
You might find it useful to purchase a Thumbport, which is basically a rubber attatchment that you can put on your flute to help you hold it with your right hand. It prevents rolling [ to an extent], puts your hand in a more ergonomic position, and helps rebalance the way you hold your flute.
Can I put Vaseline on my flute?
You should never use cork grease or vaseline on the joints of the flute. The keys themselves should only be oiled by a professional instrument repairer. The two joins on the flute (between the headjoint, the body and the footjoint) don’t need lubricating per se, but sometimes they can get a bit tight.
Can you use wd40 on a flute?
If you find a spring that is unhooked, take a very small wooden stick (something like a toothpick) with a flat end and very gently and carefully push the spring so that it hooks back into the saddle. 2 – Old oil – For this you need some penetrating oil (something like WD-40) . DO NOT SPRAY THE FLUTE WITH OIL!
How do I know if my flute is broken?
Look for fraying, peeling, puffing, or tears in the “skin” of the pads. If you see any of these, your flute can limp along for a while, but probably needs repair depending on the severity of the tears. Some bubbling or dirtiness is possibly okay.
How do you troubleshoot a flute?
When troubleshooting flute sound production, first try your student’s flute. Check for leaks in the common places (trill keys, F key, foot joint, etc.). While checking for leaks, ensure that the flute headjoint is aligned correctly to the body of the instrument.
Is cork grease OK for flute?
Since the joints of the flute are made of fitted metal, never put cork grease or any other kind of grease on them. The joints of the flute are adjusted to have clearances of mere microns.
How do you oil a wooden piccolo?
Lightly oil the bore of wooden piccolos when the wood looks dry (whitish or chocolate brown in color). Using a piccolo bore oil swab apply a thin even coat of mineral oil to the bore, being careful to keep all oils from the pads. Do not oil outside of instrument. Oil keys using a needle oil bottle containing key oil*.