FLUTE MAINTENANCE

 ASSEMBLY

Take care when assembling the instrument, as damage often occurs to instruments during assembly.

Flute joints should be applied inline, i.e., not at an angle. Push the parts firmly together with a twist. The joints shouldn't be too tight, or too loose.

It shouldn't be a great effort to assemble the instrument. If you're struggling, something is wrong!

Always put the instrument back in its case when you finish playing!

JOINTS

Flute joints should be dry joints. 

Don't apply grease to flute joints. Keep them clean and dry.

Joints may require cleaning from time to time. Wiping with a clean cloth is usually enough. If necessary, use a cloth with warm water and a touch of washing up liquid to remove deposits. Make sure the joint is dry before assembly.

Make sure all parts are clean!

CLEANING - body

Don't use polish!

To remove dust from an instrument body, use a clean, new 5cm paintbrush. Take care not to dislodge springs.

CLEANING - bore

Swab the instrument out after use with a lint-free cloth, using the cleaning rod. Push one corner through the "eye" of the rod, and twist the remaining cloth around the rod. Insert the rod, turning it so that the cloth stays on the rod.

If using a new pullthrough, make sure it is fully unfolded.

Fluffy wire brushes leave material deposits on the bore and on the surface of pads.

CLEANING - keywork

Clean the mechanism after use with a lint-free cloth.

Silver plated keywork can be cleaned with a silver polishing cloth. These are impregnated with an ant-tarnish agent. 

Don't use polish!

PADS

When cleaning a sticky pad, make sure that the pad surface is dry. Yamaha powder papers can be used to prevent pads from sticking. Apply light pressure to the pad, but do not pull the paper through. Puff or blow away excess powder. As an alternative, you can apply graphite to tone hole surfaces.

OILING-mechanism

Instrument mechanisms need to be oiled like any other machinery. Usually, you'll have this done by your repairer as part of an annual service.

CASES

Don't store music books and sheets of music inside instrument cases, unless there's a specific compartment. It can damage the mechanism.

Keep loose objects in the case to a minimum. Severe damage can be incurred if objects, (e.g., reed cutters, pencils, handkerchiefs) are compressed against an instrument body when closing the lid. If you have a handkerchief in your case, make sure it isn't too big, making the case difficult to close. Sometimes there really isn't room in the case for such things, so leave them out!

Instrument cases should be secure and in good condition. You can oil clasps, hinges and handles occasionally to prolong effective operation.

Cases in poor condition should be repaired or replaced, before the unthinkable happens, and the instrument falls out on a hard surface!