How do I know if my flute is bad?

Look for fraying, peeling, puffing, or tears in the “skin” of the pads. If you see any of these, your flute can limp along for a while, but probably needs repair depending on the severity of the tears. Some bubbling or dirtiness is possibly okay.

What causes a flute to make sound?

A flute produces sound when a stream of air directed across a hole in the instrument creates a vibration of air at the hole. The airstream creates a Bernoulli or siphon. This excites the air contained in the usually cylindrical resonant cavity within the flute.

How long does it take to make a sound on the flute?

It probably takes 10 minutes at the most, that’s including taking the head joint out of the case and putting it back. When your body knows this feel automatically, you will also automatically be able to play with a good, clear sound.

What flute sounds like?

Airy, light, poetic, mellow, bright, wafting, ethereal, rich, soft, graceful, penetrating, brilliant, clear, shrill, silvery, wind-like, whistling, whispering, humming, filigree, sighing, aspirate.

How long should a flute last?

So, how long will a flute last? Most flutes will last up to thirteen years with proper care. Of course sometimes parts need to be replaced, but for the most part they can last decades. Most flutes do not even need major overhauls like metal repairs for at least ten years.

How often do flute pads need to be replaced?

Flute pads typically last 3-6 years, depending on how often you do the maintenance. Make sure to keep your flute clean and dirt-free, and don’t forget to do yearly maintenance to improve the life of your flute pads and flute. This will save you future costs on repadding your flute.

Why does my flute sound breathy?

In my experience teaching, a breathy sound is usually the result of one the following: Blowing too hard to make an octave. You want a faster stream, but not necessarily more air. A faster stream is created by shrinking your aperture without changing how hard you blow.

Why does my flute sound flat?

You are trying to check your tuning with a cold flute in a cold room. It takes a few moments for a flute to come up to pitch if it is cold. If you are trying to tune a cold flute, it will always sound flat. So, before tuning, close all the keys and breathe slowly through the closed tube to warm it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHWsi3HxKEI