FLUTE

                                 CARE OF YOUR FLUTE

This simple maintenance routine will keep your flute playing and looking its best for many years.

Assembly

·         Pick up the middle joint of your flute and grasp it with your left hand where the name is engraved (so you're not putting pressure on the keys).  Pick up the head joint with your right hand and slide it into the middle joint with a gentle twisting motion.  Turn the head joint until the center of the embouchure hole lines up with the center of the main row of keys.

·         While still holding the middle joint at the engraved name, slide the foot joint on in the same way without putting pressure on the keys.  Line up the foot joint so the rod connected to the Eb key is in line with the keys on the middle joint (as in the picture above).

When you finish playing

·         Disassemble your flute in the reverse order above.

·         Use your swab to remove moisture from inside your flute’s head, middle, and foot joints.  (The cream-colored pads under each key seal the air flow when you play.  Moisture causes the pads to get stiff and leak, making your flute harder to play.)

·         Use your polish cloth to wipe the fingerprints off your flute.  (Fingerprints contain acid and will eat into the finish of your flute, making it look dull.)

·         Put your flute in its case and fasten both latches.  (Most flute damage occurs when it's left out on a music stand, a table, a chair, a bed, or on the floor.  If you'd like to leave it out, use a flute stand.)

·         Don't store anything (music, paper, a cloth, etc.) on top of your flute in its case as it will push on the keys and bend them out of adjustment, making your flute hard to play.

Periodically

·         Clean the finish of your flute thoroughly with a flute polish cloth.  (The flute polish cloth contains a small amount of polish; liquid polish isn't recommended because it can damage the flute pads.)

·         Use a small key brush to clean between the keys.

·         Apply a very small amount of key oil to the pivot points of your keys.  To apply the right amount, put a drip of oil on a saucer; then dip a toothpick into it and touch it to the pivot points on your flute.

·         Wash out your swab or replace it with a new one.

·         Don't tighten the tiny adjustment screws on the keys.  (They're not supposed to be tightened all the way down; instead they're used by the technician to adjust your flute’s keys so they work together properly.) 

·         Bring your flute to the repair shop at least once a year or whenever you feel it's not playing its best.