Some time ago I was having a conversation with Jon Landell and the topic of how to assemble and disassemble a flute came up. I mentioned to him that I was taught to assemble a flute in a specific manner (which is how it is described in the FAQ). He mentioned that I was not doing it correctly and began to explain to me that I SHOULD be holding it by the keys.
I explained to him that not only was I taught differently, but that the FAQ on here stated differently. Well, he continued on and said that it was incorrect and the reason is that by doing it the way it's described by the FAQ would damage the tenons on the flute. I just politely nodded and agreed - knowing there was no point in saying anything to the contrary.
The whole conversation was a bit frustrating. It was like - gee, all these people say it should be a certain way and yet I'm the one that is made to feel like their an idiot.
I still think that the proper way is how it's described in the FAQ ... just needed to vent a bit
Huh, I don't even touch the keys of the foot joint.
I make sure I have a good grasp of the body between the end of the foot joint and the keys. Even though Jon says you can't hurt the keys I'm not going to take that chance.
What do you think about his comment about damaging the tenons by doing it this way?
well.... I've spoken to Jon a few times as well, and to be honest, he can be slightly... odd sometimes. I was going to take a headjoint making class with him, but then when it came down to the nitty gritty of money, I changed my mind. I was going to pay a deposit of $300 which was non refundable. If I missed the class, the deposit was transferrable but not refundable. If he CANCELLED the class for any reason, he would still keep the deposit because it was "non-refundable." He would just transfer it to a different date. I would NOT get my deposit back, and if I were to have driven up to Vermont and he cancelled it last minute, I would lose my travel expenses as well.
Needless to say, if he cancelled the class, I would expect my money back because the other class dates that he offers do not fit my schedule with school. I don't think that he could legally keep my deposit if he didn't keep his end of the contracted agreement. Even if he could, he shouldn't (morally speaking). So I politely declined registering for his class.
I blatantly disagree with his view on this subject. Keys can and DO get damaged all the time. If you are holding the flute by the barrel, the barrel won't get damaged (nor will the keys). If you hold the headjoint just below the lip plate, as long as you are putting it straight in, you won't damage the tenon either. Same with the footjoint.
