Answer 1.

Keeping your flute in good condition will help you to always play your best. Struggling with a flute that is poorly adjusted, has leaky pads and doesn’t have a smooth action is no fun.

Maintaining your flute with a ‘clean, oil and adjust’ about once a year keeps your flute in good playing condition and can also mean that any potential problems can be discovered before they develop into major, or emergency repair situations.

You will notice a difference in the quality of sound, response and ease of playing after a clean, oil and adjust. The mechanism and pads on your instrument will last much longer.

Answer 2.

If you are finding it hard to play low notes, you may have leaks in your pads or you may have a faulty adjustment. If all of your pads are not seating fully, it will be difficult to produce low notes.

If you suddenly find you can’t play a passage of music which previously was fine, it is most likely your flute rather than your playing, which is the problem.

Answer 3.

As with the previous question if you are needing to press hard on your keys to make notes speak, your flute is either out of adjustment or has leaky or worn pads.

Air is escaping and so more pressure is required on the key to make a complete seal between the pad and the tone hole.

Pressing at all firmly is not necessary with a well adjusted flute.

Answer 4.

I will help you evaluate your flute when you bring it to me. If the mechanism, felts and corks on your flute are in good condition but the pads are worn, a repad service will be fine.

Some people have a heavy touch and tend to wear out the pads faster than the mechanism.

Pads will not seal correctly if the mechanism is not in good adjustment, so an overhaul is recommended if the mechanism will not properly support the pads.

Answer 5.

The amount of time it will take to complete a repair will depend on the condition of the instrument, the amount of work the instrument needs.

In most cases, a ‘clean, oil and adjust’ will be completed in 1−3 days, a ‘repad’ takes 4−7 days, and an ‘overhaul’ takes 7−9 days.

I will always endeavor to return your flute to you as soon as possible. Many times, small repairs can be done the same day or even while you wait.

1. Cleaning

Please take care when cleaning your flute. They are sensitive instruments and need to be handled with care.

After each use carefully swab your flute. Wrap your cleaning rod with your swab cloth so the rod does not scratch the inside of your flute.

I recommend using plastic or wood cleaning rods rather than a metal one.

2. Polishing

Carefully wipe fingerprints and moisture from the surface of your flute. Use a soft cotton handkerchief.

Don’t use polish or any other cleaner as it can get inside the mechanism very easily and wear it down. Polish is only used on a dismantled flute.

Don’t try to oil your flute. A flute is a very sensitive instrument with very low tolerances between parts, and so anything more than a wipe down should be left to an experienced repair person.

3. Storing

If possible don’t store your swab in your flute case. Tie your swab to the handle of your case or store it in a soft outer case cover.

Moisture can play havoc with your flute pads and can rust the mechanism, so it is a good idea to store your flute without any forms of excess moisture in the case.

4. Other

If you have a sticky pad take a piece of tissue paper or fine cigarette paper and insert it between the pad and the tone hole. Gently press down so the pad closes on the paper.

Do NOT pull the paper out at this point.

Release the key and then remove the paper. Repeat. This can often help.

Occasionally take a cotton Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and clean the embouchure hole and lip plate. Wipe with a soft cotton cloth.