condensation?

cubmia · Post by **cubmia** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:36 am

Just purchased a new flute. Im an adult returning to playing the flute, now playing for a couple of months. Have noticed tone problems with my middle E and sometimes F, relatively easier notes to sound. Yesterday noticed on the right hand third finger key a water droplet and don't remeber if this is common and I if I just have to dry the inside more during playing because too much condensation is building up inside of it. Dont encounter this tone problem in the lower or upper register though.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:44 pm

This is a fairly common problem with piccolos, less common with flutes, but it does happen. However, you may also be experiencing a leak. Leaks happen with new flutes as the pads become acclimated to frequent use. It is probably a good idea to have it checked out just for good measure.

woof · Post by **woof** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:40 pm

I have experienced this occassionally as well. Mostly condensation would go to the bottom of the tube but if you move the flute around a lot, setting it down picking it up, changing angles etc. I think water droplets can be "encouraged" to pop out of the tone holes. If you are playing in a cool room it would be worse- winter brings this out in the north. As fluttiegurl said it may be a leak but if may also just be from normal movements as it is in my case. Good luck. Be sure to dry to flute carefully after playing as I am sure you are aware.

cubmia · Post by **cubmia** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:43 pm

thanks for the replies, Im thinking that its an embouchure problem. Sometimes when im very aware of it and focused it comes out clean, but playing it quickly while coming from a different octave, its not clean and theres probably a harmonic squeaking through. Just working on long tones to tighten this note and spaying special attention to the E2, F2 and G2.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:19 pm

It could be that you're getting liquid trapped in the keys (which I believe is related to new pads?) - Anyway, next time it happens check all the keys and see if there are any water droplets in them (which will near enough render them closed). The problem can easily be fixed using cigarette papers to absorb the fluid.

As someone else said it's a more common problem on Piccolos.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:37 pm

Rob wrote:It could be that you're getting liquid trapped in the keys (which I believe is related to new pads?) - Anyway, next time it happens check all the keys and see if there are any water droplets in them (which will near enough render them closed). The problem can easily be fixed using cigarette papers to absorb the fluid.

As someone else said it's a more common problem on Piccolos.

The age of the pads really has very little to do with whether or not liquid is likely to gather. In any case, if you use cigarette paper, be sure to buy the ungummed sort, or at least trim the edge with the adhesive so that it won't come in contact with the pad, and be sure that you don't pull the paper out while the pad is sealing, or you'll abrade the pad, and eventually can render them useless simply through using cigarette papers. Not to mention that damp papers can tear, leaving a membrane behind on the pad to vibrate as you play. Also, if condensation is essentially closing off the tonehole, I suggest blowing most of it out as a clarinetist or oboist might, and then carefully using the papers (if you use the papers at all) to remove any additional moisture that's residing on the pads.