Problems....with Flute!?

Question:I ahve been playing the flute for a while and I just got one for Christmas. It is purple and gold ( not fake! ) and when I play the F flat I have found I had to push the keys down harder to get a sound out. Why is this happening and how can I fix it? If I need it repaired how much will it cost? My parents bought the flute brand new.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I ahve been playing the flute for a while and I just got one for Christmas. It is purple and gold ( not fake! ) and when I play the F flat I have found I had to push the keys down harder to get a sound out. Why is this happening and how can I fix it? If I need it repaired how much will it cost? My parents bought the flute brand new.

The keys probably aren't adjusted correctly. It sounds like they aren't closing all the way.

Don't press harder-you could end up bending the keys.

Just take it to a repair shop-it's a really easy fix. They'll probably test the friction between the key and the hole to make sure it is closing perfectly.

*sigh* Yes, F flat does exist. It is the same as E, but that does not negate it's existence. Does B flat negate the existence of A sharp? I don't think so. I wish people would stop saying that. There is also such a thing as double flats and double sharps. These exist for many reasons that involve music theory. I'm not going to get into this.

Also, I don't know what that one person was talking about, but the E and F keys should NOT be more difficult to close. That is absolutely wrong. Perhaps she is attempting to reference the fact that high E and F sharp are difficult to play on the flute and make sound good. Even if that is what she is talking about, there is still a mechanical reason for this that can be explained. It's not as if nobody knows why.

I hope I was some help to you.

Happy fluting.

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What have you been doing with said flute lately? If you have been misusing it,this might cause such a problem.

the pads on your keys might be bad & you might have to replace them..

i am a flute player for almost 3 years and it seems like your key rod is bent, go to a music store and get it fixed, i prolly wont cost that much

ask your band teacher

Take it back to the dealer and explain the problem. They will should adjust it for free. All instruments need cleaning and adjustment every year.

Try replacing the key pads. They could be sticking or loose, etc. If that doesn't fix it or if you don't know how, take it to an expert.

Willy B.

f flat as in e? or f natural? it may just need to be broken in, the pads may be too hard, if not email your local music shop and ask about it. practice alot and see if that helps, my new sax had issues with pads and after a while they got a little broken in and easier to close.
good luck : )

It's new, the pads might need to be "worn in" *chuckle*
or there could be a wire that is not quite right, or maybe the pad is offset a bit or it could be something else... hard to tell without being able to look at it or play it personally... which brings me to the next part of your question. Take it in to a shop to have it looked at. Check first to see if the shop where your parents bought it offer any guarantees or warrantees.
Another thought... you're in a band class or have a teacher I'm assuming... if so, have your teacher look at it. They often have great insight to look over an instrument.

Good luck and keep flouting! =)
*hugs*

If there is any airy sound coming out instead and you have to push down harder on the key then you might have a minor leak. It isn't a big deal and shouldn't cost too much. Just take it to a good repair shop that you trust and they can have it fixed in a few days at the most. Like I said it's not a big deal and it happens to every flute player once in a while. I've been playing for 12 years and it happens to me often. Don't worry it's nothing that can't be fixed!!

i am 38 and i was top flute in my marching band for 4 years. started on a cheap Bundy flute i had to fix myself if i wanted it to sound good. then moved up to a all silver open hole, 3 keys on the end flute. i LOVE my flute.

there are several ways to fix it.

1 get a real small screw driver and just turn the screw and the key will move up and down. Just turn it until the key pad is flat on the flute.

2 the cheap Bundy i had i actually had to bend the key to get it to lay flat. i dont suggest doing it this way unless. I hated that Bundy flute. it was so cheap looking and feeling

3 if you are keeping this flute for a while then just get all of the pads replaced. its not to expensive. just go to a musical shop near your town. they will also adjust your keys for you so they lay flat. i had my pads replaced before and the flute played so much better after that. sounded more crisp and clear.

any other questions just email me

OK here is what i think i think that you should go to a music store and tell them you want new key pads i think that is your problem i am not completely sure how much it will cost but my flute is in the store right now

first there is no such thing as an F flat, so after i read that i questioned everything else you said. i play the sax and the keys will stick a lot because lets face it, spit is flowing through the damn thing. just press harder its not that hard.

F flat doesn't exist.....

why wouldn't you just say E?

Fflat is actually E. no adjustments for that.it might be in the G key(the one you play with the ring finger of your left hand) in the key just below it.This problem is most likely in the first octave,second octave E should be fairly easy to hit.this i gather is a student or beginner flute.is common to such.
DO not press it harder,for you will only put stress on the other parts of the flute then the whole thing will be out of wack.
you have an air leak in one of the pads.
When you through playing take a small piece of paper towel place it in between the pads and the holes and press.this will help to remove some of the saliva from the pads.

pretty much i believe that you have a student flute,and the question asked is common.

I have played flute for 30 years,active in Jazz-blues .

Dorian.

Ok well notes E and F are the hardest for the flute to play! No one knows why but the keys that play E and F are hard to press down ON ANY Flute! So It may not be your playing!
It could be a few things!

It may also be that you have leaky pads! so a repair person could check that out too

1) Your instrument - It may be your instrument It it like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/STERLING-Pro-PURPLE-... Flute_W0QQitemZ310016411995QQihZ021QQcat...

Generally these cheap instruments are not good to play! These instruments are manufactured in China/ India etc by manufactuors who don't know what they are doing! Next time stick to the more well known brands of Flute like Yamaha, Jupiter, Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Blessings! These are less likely to break down and need repairing! Take your instrument to a repair shop and have them look it over! There may be something they can do! The hard notes of E and F are made even harder on these instruments! Most of these instruments don't have a split E mechanism which would make your instrument easier to play

2) You- Try directing your air downwards using more breath support! Make sure your fingers are free of tension as well!

You may want to get a private Flute teacher. Although band directors are music teachers they may not necessarily have specialist knowledge on your particular instrument! I have had to correct SO many students bad habits because their band teacher unknowlingly taught them bad habits! They will also be able to SEE what is wrong with your instrument/ your playing rather then asking random strangers!

Good luck with your Flute playing!

ok hun for starters...colored instruments are NEVER the best. ISO's are not "fake" because they can play.....but they are still instrument shaped objects. Have your teacher check your pads (which should be new and have no issues). Take it to a shop. Good luck they sometimes won't treat ISO problems

the key pads on your flute my be a little pressed down to much. how much do u play?? some people have to get new pads like every 3 months (thts playing A LOT) so just try getting tht checked. and also maybe something is sticking or something. go to a music store and ask them (its free). also if you just bought it you may have to play it and like "break in" the flute. thats what i had to do with my piccolo