How to care for your flute

Here are a few tips on how to take care of your flute to ensure it lasts for many years:

• Be careful when assembling and disassembling to keep hands away from keywork as much as possible.
• Don’t drink (other than water) or eat while or just prior to playing. Food particles, sugars from drinks etc, are very prone to affecting pad action and causing sticking pads. Aim to rinse your mouth with water before playing.
• Always keep tenon joints clean and polished – never use grease or any oil / lubricant. This simply attracts dirt and grit.
• After playing, clean internals of flute removing moisture – preventing excessive bacteria forming.
• After playing, aim to give the exterior a light clean with a polishing cloth to remove any acids contained in perspiration which can be quite corrosive to the flute’s plating. Never use a liquid polish on your flute.
• Never use rubber bands or stickers on your flute for any length of time, it is certain to damage plating.
• Avoid excessive temperatures – car boots, direct sunlight etc.
• While your flute is not being played, it is safest in its case – not on your bed.
• If annual servicing is carried out, oiling of mechanism is not necessary. This can produce unnecessary problems if not performed correctly.
• Never use excessive force or pressure with your flute – if it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not, always ask advice.