Flute / Piccolo Care
Daily Care
1. When removing your flute from its case never pick it up by its keys.
Remove it by the ends where there are no keys.
2. Put the flute together with a slow back-and-forth twisting motion, never push or pull the flute
when assembling or disassembling this can cause the instrument to become bent at the joints.
3. Each time you put the flute together a small amount of debris will build-up on the tenons (this is normal),
however, this can make it difficult to assemble. Always wipe the tenons (joints) with a soft cloth
before assembling.
4. The use of lubricants on the tenons is not recommended - this can cause damage over time.
The only exception to this rule is on some piccolos and wood flutes that have cork joints.
You should apply a small amount of cork grease to these joints, as needed, to aid in assembly.
5. After you are finished playing, use a cleaning rod with an absorbent cloth to swab out the inside
of all parts to remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the outside of the flute to remove oils or perspiration
caused by your hands.
6. Always store your flute in its case when not in use, this helps prevent damage to it.
damage and aids in keeping the instrument from tarnishing.
Do not place anything in the case that can press on the flute, this can bend keys.
Monthly CareCheck all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take your flute
to a repair shop to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself because they can be over tightened or damaged.
Yearly Care- It is recommended that you have your instrument checked and adjusted, if needed,
by a repair shop. The shop may find adjustments or worn pads that are effecting the optimal
performance of your instrument.
Flute Embouchure by Mark Shepherd
Getting a sound on the flute is easy! Take just the head joint—the section you
blow into. (If you have a one-piece flute, just leave your fingers off the
keys or holes.) Lay your lower lip over the edge of the mouth hole, and blow
it like a pop bottle.
Did you get it? What’s that you say? You’ve never blown on a pop bottle? All
right then, let’s go at it another way. Following is a description of the
basic flute embouchure (pronounced “OM-bush-er”)—the way you hold your
lips and mouth while playing. Looking in a mirror will help.
The mouth hole of the flute should be pointed directly upward, and your head
should be held straight up. Lay your bottom lip loosely over the edge
of the mouth hole—not pulled up, or curled under itself, or pressed down hard
against the flute. It should cover about a quarter of the mouth hole.
Now, press your lips together at the corners and sides, leaving a roughly oval
opening at the front of your mouth. Center this opening above the mouth
hole—even if the opening isn’t in the exact center of your mouth. Point your
lips diagonally downward and blow a solid stream of air directly at the
opposite edge of the mouth hole. Don’t lift up your bottom lip as you blow!
(The instructions for a thick-walled flute, such as from wood, are slightly
different. These flutes require a more “muscular” embouchure in order to bring
out their rich and powerful tone. You would press your bottom lip harder
against the head joint—instead of relaxing it—and draw back the corners of
your lips more tightly.)
If your blowing produces no sound, check your bottom lip to make sure you’re
not unconsciously pulling it up. Rotate the flute to change the angle at which
your breath hits the blowing edge. Also, trying varying the shape and pressure
of your blowing, and how far your bottom lip extends over the hole. On any but
a thick-walled flute, make sure your bottom lip is relaxed—pressing it
down will tire your lips very quickly.
It’s best to try for only brief periods and come back to it frequently.
Dizziness and tingling feelings in your limbs are normal at this stage—use
them as a signal to rest.
After you get the initial sound, keep the head joint handy and blow it at odd
moments to help you gain consistency.