 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: krawfish3x
Date: 2005-05-08 20:40
im originally a clarinet player but i just bought a used flute for 40 dollars. it seems fine, the only problem is that the pads on the foot joint dont close all the way when you press the keys down. does anyone know what causes this and how i could go about fixing it?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-05-08 20:54
Clarinetgirl06 wrote:
> Have you tried looking at a flute message board?
Pretty much the same set of problems clarinets have, and our repair folk here can most probably help, too.
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-08 21:04
I know that we have MANY EXCELLENT repair people on the BBoard that can repair clarinets like no other and also handle a great flute repair! I was just thinking that this is a clarinet board, not a flute board, that's all. I wish krawfish3x the best of luck with the flute!
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Author: dummer musiker
Date: 2005-05-08 21:46
It could possibly be the keys are bent or out of adjustment. Or the pads. Most flutes have screws for each key for fine adjustment (I think student flutes dont...because kids like to play with screws)
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-08 21:57
As Mark says, Krawfish, flutes are quite similar to clarinets. Sometimes they seem a little more temperamental than clarinets, but essentially the same. I'm assuming you're talking about the C and B keys(if it's a B foot) not closing right. The foot joint is a seemingly simple mechanism but easily knocked out of whack by even a slight bump. Sometimes, too, students will grab the foot joint and squeeze while assembling the instrument and this eventually bends things to a point where it needs to be bent back -- not much, just enough to set things right again. If the pads aren't seating and sealing correctly then you might need to consult a tech about that. In any case it's probably not an expensive adjustment and likely no cost at all to have it looked at.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-08 22:05
... there are no adjustment screws on the foot joint. You should find no need to tinker with the main body key adjustment screws. If feel you do, then it's probably wise to ask a technician to examine it.
- ron b -
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-05-08 22:37
I agree with Ron B.
1. Key bent or pads too thick, such that the pads do not close level, probably at the 'back' before the 'front'.
2. Keys bent in other ways so that the touch pieces hit eachother.
3. Rust in the pivot, jamming a pivot tube to the rod, which may turn a little until it's thread is tight. (This one is unlikely)
4. If one of the pads closes before the other, then part of the linkage is probably bent, unless somebody has installed linkage silencing material that is too thick or thin. The C# key will easily bend if the touch piece is pressed down too hard. Adjustment of the linkage is often (usually?) done by judicious bending.
5. There is more serious damage such as a post bent out of alignment.
Usually this is work for a technician.
Clarinetgirl06, it is actually difficult to find a good flute forum, and even more difficult to find one with any technician expertise. Some have almost nobody there - certainly nobody with repair expertise. Some are unmonitored and are regularly inhabited by thoroughly objectionable people. One seems to have some sort of unwritten PC agenda - perhaps relating to marketing considerations of associates? - which excludes some people with a lot to offer, including myself. 'The' saxophone forum, with a different format, has a special place for 'doublers', which is about as good as you get for flute players wanting repair information, thanks to only two or three technicians who haunt the lace.
Issues of maintenance and repair are similar for all woodwinds, so let's be a little friendly and inclusive here, especially when the heading for the thread is quite specific. You did not need to look at this thread. :-)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-09 04:58
Excellent points, Gordon. Your mention of rusted pivots reminds that I usually advise [all] woodwind players to NOT put a damp swab back in the case after use, especially tiny, confined flute cases. Tie it to the handle or somehow keep it outside the case until it dries... so the moisture evaporates outside rather than staying in the case. It's a minor routine, an easy habit to acquire, and may prevent a costly rusted screw repair in the future.
- r b -
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