Not good... One of my trill keys isn't working...?

Question:I've had nothing but problems with my flute so far. All of the adjustable screws keep undoing themselves so that I have to screw them in every time I want to play, the keys stick no matter how often I clean them, and I just got it back from shop because it wouldn't play mid-range F or G. And now, I notice one of my trill keys (think it's my C# trill key) isn't moving very much with the key it's supposed to (moves more with the other one) and is just hanging open, which is causing strange sounds.

Now, I plan to play for an event in 15 days and have a concert coming up in 10. Is there any way I can fix this before then without taking it in? And should I stick with this flute or trade it in (which is an option because it's a rent-to-own)? I fell in love with this flute the second I saw it, but it's been nothing but evil...

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've had nothing but problems with my flute so far. All of the adjustable screws keep undoing themselves so that I have to screw them in every time I want to play, the keys stick no matter how often I clean them, and I just got it back from shop because it wouldn't play mid-range F or G. And now, I notice one of my trill keys (think it's my C# trill key) isn't moving very much with the key it's supposed to (moves more with the other one) and is just hanging open, which is causing strange sounds.

Now, I plan to play for an event in 15 days and have a concert coming up in 10. Is there any way I can fix this before then without taking it in? And should I stick with this flute or trade it in (which is an option because it's a rent-to-own)? I fell in love with this flute the second I saw it, but it's been nothing but evil...

I am a professional flutist and flute teacher. Your flute is AWFUL - get a better one TODAY. Google for Jen Cluff - her site has ALL the advice you will ever need. Also join FLUTENET on Yahoo groups - there are over 3,00 of us who will help you. But IMMEDIATELY, you need a good flute. ONLY a reputable brand - Yamaha, Jupiter, Emerson, Pearl, Trevor James - used is fine, but the tech at the shop will tell you that THESE will stay in adjustment - yours clearly does not. Good luck with your flute playing - you sound like you love it and are dedicated to it!

You need to get a new flute. I've had mine 20 years, and NEVER has a screw come out.

woops, I just read "rent to own". Get rid of it and buy a new one. Get a good quality brand from a music shop. Do not buy it off ebay or online.

This should not be happening ; good quality instruments should not give you these problems.

I know next to nothing about flutes, and even I know that this is a BAD seed!! Trade that sucker in for a better one! Trust me, there will be other pretty flutes out there. When I got my first violin, I thought it would be the only one I would ever want to play, but then the sound peg got knocked down(important part, I suppose it would be similar to the trill key hanging open and making funny noises) and it wouldn't play properly, and I ended up falling in love with my rental for when mine was in the shop. I hope you find a reliable flute that you love just as much!

If it's a rent-to-own flute, most likely it's a student model flute. You don't mention the brand, but any respectable music shop wouldn't rent out crappy flutes that need servicing 24/7.

Now you also don't describe how you use the flute on a daily basis. Abuse outside of standard use (leaving it in cars overnight, dropping it, kicking it, etc)
Don't get me wrong, it shouldn't have screws fall out or springs pop off often. Your current problem only sounds like a spring problem--if you have a key hanging open when it shouldn't, it's probably a spring. It sounds like your flute needs a complete overhaul--change springs, screws, pads, etc.

Trade the flute in for an upgrade. Make sure to stick with brands that are well-known and have a good reputation, like Gemeinhardt, Emerson, or Yamaha. Gemeinhardt flutes are often used by respectable shops that rent instruments.

Seriously?? Rent a new one! Try a trusted brand like Jupiter, Armstrong , Yamaha etc Take it back to the shop and trade it in for another brand. I have been teaching Flute for 5 years and never had mine or any of my students have THAT much trouble with a flute