Flute FUN-damentals
Chapter 2: Assembly & Care

Flute Care & Maintenance Guide

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IN THIS LESSON:

  • Swabbing the Flute (video)

  • Polishing the Body (video)

  • Flute Care Accessories

  • Daily/Annual Maintenance

  • Do’s & Don’ts

Flute Care Accessories

Helpful tools for tone development

Daily/Annual Maintenance

Do’s & Don’ts

Every flutist should have the following:

  • a cleaning rod (wooden or plastic are preferred as metal can scratch the interior of the flute, but metal is better than nothing if handled with care).

  • Interior cleaning cloth that is microfiber, cotton, or silk.

  • Exterior cleaning cloth made of microfiber (avoid using silver polishing cloths on silver flutes).

You may also consider a flute stand as it is not recommended to set your flute on the ground. The Hercules stand is a very durable option but there are cheaper/more portable stands available.

Consider purchasing a Pneumo Pro - a helpful tool to help you learn how to direct your airstream which will help you master tone in all registers of your flute. More on this in a later chapter!

https://www.blockiflute.com/Pneumo-Pro-_p_1.html

Be sure to care for your instrument daily using the guide shown in the video above. Daily maintenance is important to keeping your instrument in good shape.

Every year you should take your flute to a repair shop to have it serviced. The repair technician will help inform you of what work needs to be done on the flute to help preserve the life of your instrument. Yearly upkeep will help keep costs down over time!

DO:

  • Swab your instrument in parts after each time you play it before putting it away.

  • Polish with a microfiber cloth each time you play it before putting it away.

  • Be gentle when swabbing/polishing (especially the head joint).

  • Store your instrument properly & safely in its case.

  • Seek a professional repair shop if any major issues arise.

DON’T:

  • Open your case in your lap or on a music stand. Open the case on a secure, flat surface such as a table or the ground.

  • Grasp the keys/rods too firmly. If you must grab them aside from normal playing, be gentle.

  • Submerge your flute underwater - if it needs a deep clean, see a professional.

  • Leave your instrument on the ground unattended (or worse, on a music stand or chair!). If you must set it down, a stand is preferred to avoid damaging keys & rods.

  • Store your swab inside the flute case - let it dry and wash it once a week.

  • Use a pad saver and leave it in the flute after use. Leaving these in your flute will lead to moisture and bacteria buildup - gross! Moisture in your instrument will cause deteriorated pads.

  • Leave your instrument in a vehicle - always bring it inside!

  • Neglect yearly maintenance. Repairing your flute annually is always cheaper than waiting until a major problem appears.