Can I get some help with my flute?

Question

I have a silver band flute that I've played since I was 12 or so. Well... mostly.

I haven't played it for a good 4 or 5 years (long story) but my husband wanted to hear me play it and now I've got a bug to start playing it again.

Now, I had always taken good care of it when I played it but its been so long that its seriously tarnished and I'm not sure of all the maintenance I have to do to it now.

I know that I'll have to replace the pads but I don't know how to remove the tarnish without harming the flute. Do you have any ideas? And what other cleaning things can I do? Other than the typical (clean out the inside, use a proper brush to clean the keys, oil the keys)?

Answer 1

Bring your flute to a music repair shop.  They will replace the pads for you.  They should also clean the flute at the same time.  Ask them is they clean the flute when they replace pads.  The pads need to be seated so that your flute will play correctly.  Good luck and have fun.  When you go to a music repair shop try to pick one that works on woodwinds specifically.

Answer 2

The easiest and best way to remove the tarnish is with a toothbrush and toothpaste and don't laugh either.

This will remove it without using that stupid silver polish. With the toothpase and toothbrush, at least, the smell will be better and the job will be very very good.

That's it.. You have the general idea and you are well informed Miss.

Answer 3

Hi M.    Not really a good idea to use the advice of a guitar player to clean a flute  =)-.    You say you are going to have the pads replaced?   For a repair tech to replace the pads,  he is going to disassemble the entire flute and at that time,  he can dip it in a silver cleaning solvent which will remove all of the tarnish in about 30 seconds.   You cannot use toothpaste and DEFINATELY not a tooth brush unless you are wanting to put new scratches on your instrument.   The tarnish is not going to effect the way your flute plays for the time being.   I have the experience of removing the mechanism, keys and pins in order to dip my own flutes,  but I would advise against you trying that... it is tricky... not to take it apart,  but to reassemble it.   Leave it up to the woodwind repair tech and when you pick it up,  get his advice on what type of cleaner he recommends as well as the best way to polish the flute on your own.  It is better to be safe with your flute than sorry.   Hope I was able to help.  Thanks for reading.  :))

PSS:  Whatever you do....  and to save yourself some added repair costs...  DO  NOT be using oil anywhere on your flute...    Actually, repair guys love people to work on their own flutes.....    they make more money that way.   Seriously.

Answer 4

Moiraes,

     I did the same thing with my trumpet.  It's a bach.  I hadn't played it in 14 years or so.   It looked like h**l.  Now it's beautiful again.  Once I got my lip in shape, it ended up sucking up all my time, I ended up in 2 different bands, and a quartet, and was having a blast until I recently strained the ever-loving-heck out of my upper lip trying to hit a note I knew I could hit but was very tired and cheated with pressure.  

I digress wildly.   Get some "Weiman's Royal Sterling Silver Polish", probably available at your grocery store in the toxic chemical aisle.  Just kidding.  Look for it in the same area as endust and junk like that.   It's not abrasive, and non-corrosive.   Those aspects are very, very important.   Needless to say - you should still rub it all off after any application.   Use a baby diaper or an old t-shirt.   In other words, something really soft with no scratchy fibers.  The polish will do the work.  It's amazing.   You can use a q-tip or soft toothbrush for the really difficult spots.  

If you are like me, you'll realize how much you missed playing once you get going.  It's a fabulous thing.   I'm taking time off until my lip heals, but I'll be back at it full bore in no time,  spending all my free time making noise.

Also - that stuff called Flitz that they sell in the music stores is mildly abrasive.  It will ruin the mirror like finish in a fine silver instrument.  

-Kevin

Answer 5

I would get an overhaul on it.  Look on the site called Flute World.  You could use a soft cloth to take that tanish off but just do it carefully making sure that you are not pulling on the pins ect. Don't get it wet.

http://www.fluteworld.com/?action=strona...

Go to your nearest music store and ask where they send out there flutes.

Here is a great site for flute information.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/flu...

If you want to upgrade your flute here is a site that sells used flutes.

http://www.usedflutes.com/