begginer question(s) something resonating?

Callidor · Post by **Callidor** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:57 pm

Hi, everyone. So, I've been teaching myself the flute for about a month or so now. I started learning on my mom's old flute, a solid silver, open-holed Gemeinhardt from decades ago. (Says M3S on it...is that its model?..anyone know what this flute is worth or anything?) Anyway, I wanted something a little more beginner-oriented, so I went out yesterday and picked out the most basic thing I could get.

It's a Benjamin Adams BF1. I really like the thing. It's incredibly easy to make nice clean sounds with it..I was amazed at the difference between closed and open hole. Anyway, my only complaint with it is that it seems like some piece (towards the bottom end of the body segment, I think) is vibrating or resonating or something..making a noise.

The problem is sort of intermitent, but seems to happen most frequently when playing B and C (in any octave.) So is this just something loose that I can go yell at the music store people to fix, or am I stuck with it? It's not all that bad, just a bit distracting.

Well, in any case, so far I'm enjoying this instrument a lot and I look forward to learning what I can from you guys. Thanks in advance for the help.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:14 am

I would suggest taking it back to the store where you purchased it and having them look it over. As for your mom's Gemeinhardt, unfortunately, they are not worth much these days because the company has redesigned the flutes for a better intonation and response. I would hang on to it for sentimental value.

Callidor · Post by **Callidor** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:06 am

oh, I absolutely will...I have no intention of selling it or anything, was just a bit curious. Anyway, I intend to play it more as I get better in general

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:21 pm

I would take fluttiegurl's advice. Take it back and have them look it over, and if they cant find anything wrong, get a second opinion at a different institution. Chances are, are that the steel in the footjoint is loose, and is vibrating. Either that, or another screw. However, each problem is a quick remedy, and most locations wont charge anything for a repair that simple.

But, if it is something like a bad pad, or the pins coming out of the mech, or something wild and crazy, repairs could end up being so high that it would be cheaper to replace the flute. But, this is highly improbable.

So definately get it looked at soon.

Callidor · Post by **Callidor** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:24 pm

Looks like I'll be taking it in tomorrow. (Or maybe I'll bring it into school and have a band teacher take a quick look.) In the meantime, I have another question.

In playing the octave from middle C up, I find that it's a lot easier on the more advanced of my two flues (the open-hole Gemeindhardt.) Both are simple enough from C up to A, but on the closed hole, I find it much more difficult to play the B and C. (D3 is easy enough, though). Are these notes known to be a bit more difficult to produce than the other in the octave? Or is there any reason why it would be easier on the more advanced flute..other than that it's just higher quality?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:27 pm

It sounds like a leak, or adjustment problem to me.

Callidor · Post by **Callidor** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:03 pm

Eh...I've been working on it a bit. I think it was just a matter of lip placement..not the flute itself. think i posted a little too hastily lol.