Flute – Common Problems

• Flutes are one of the most popular instruments for youngsters to begin playing – because of this there will be lots of flute repairs necessary

• Many flute repairs are actually quite simple to fix and can be learned with just a little practice

• The tools needed for many flute repairs are few and quite inexpensive and easy to keep around the band room.

The Flute Gauge is a very useful tool to help solve flute issues.There are three steps cut at one end, and the other end can beInserted under keys to help bend them back to proper alignment.

This end is usefulfor bending keysto make sure theyclose properly.

Foot Joint KeysMain Bodykeys

Trill keys andB key

Flute key height problems are solved by changing the thickness of the key corkor by bending the foot of the key. Sometimes both things need to be done.

Checking foot joint key heights with the largest step on the flute gauge

Checking body joint larger key heights with the middle step on the flute gauge

Checking body joint C key and Trill key heights with the small step on the flute gauge

A very common flute problem is causedby the hinge rod that runs through the Ckey and through the 2nd post down, anchoringthe Bb/A key assembly. This hinge rod oftenworks loose, allowing the Bb/A key assemblyto be pushed out of line by the spring,causing problems with Bb and oftenlower notes as well.

On many student flutes, due to massproduction techniques, often thehinge rod can look like it is inproperly when in fact it has alreadybegun to work its way loose, as this picture shows.

Notice how the key justbelow the post in the circleis slightly to the right ofcenter compared to the keyabove the post.

The key below the postin the circle, which wasoff-center to the rightin the previous slide, isoff-center to the left nowbecause the hinge rodthat runs through the Ckey has worked loosefrom the post, even though that’s notapparent when lookingat the post where thehinge rod goes in.

On some student fluteseven when the hinge rodis in properly, things canlook out of line, so it isimportant to check thekeys themselves to becertain they are closingproperly on the tone holes.Notice the same circledpost as in the otherpictures. In this picture things are correct but theystill don’t quite look it.

The hinge rod has workedits way quite loose, causingthe sort of back and forth playin the Bb/A key depicted in theprevious slides. This is a pictureof an actual repair which cameinto my shop where neither thestudent nor the teacher knewwhy the Bbs weren’t workingproperly and why notes lowerwere airy. This should be oneof the first things checked whena student is having problems witha flute.

The other area where flutes are commonly having problems is the foot joint.Because of the mechanics of the key work, the C# key frequently gets bent such that the pad doesn’t close when it should. Most of the time this isn’t aconcern on student flutes until they become a lot more advanced, since thelow notes aren’t used that often.

To fix the problem with the low C#, place something (I use my thumb) under the finger tab part of the key to hold it steady.

Press down on the key cup to bend the key slightly so that thetwo parts of the key will be in proper adjustment relative to eachother.

Other common issues with flutes which can be fixed fairly easily withpractice involve the adjusting screws. Slight twists either way can makethe necessary adjustments to have all keys opening or closing properly.It is easy to turn the screws too far, so be sure to practice on school fluteswhich aren’t being used.

One common problem with flutes involves the head cork. Sometimes calledthe “tuning cork” it is supposed to be fixed in one spot relative to the centerof the embouchure, and is not supposed to be used for everyday tuning ofthe flute. If this cork is moved, then the flute will not play in tune with itself.As the cork dries out with age it becomes loose and can move on its ownand especially as the students play with the head crown. Use the cleaningrod to check the position. When the end of the rod with the line on it isplaced firmly against the head cork, the line should be exactly in the centerof the embouchure hole.

Other flute problems such as body dents and the way the joints fit togetherwill need the services of a trained repair technician.