Headjoint Smell

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Fri May 28, 2010 3:28 pm

Hey everyone,

Ever since my family's recent move ( about one week ago),
my flute's headjoint has this terrible smell. Could this be because
of heat? My new room is quite humid. Any way to prevent this smell
at all?
~Melissa

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Sat May 29, 2010 7:18 am

Um...sorry. I didn't realize I was on intermeadiate

~Melissa

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Sat May 29, 2010 7:40 am

Um ... usually when my headjoint starts getting funky it's been because of saliva. I usually put the case in a safe place and leave it open to air out.

If the smell is coming from the humidity that wouldn't help much.

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Sat May 29, 2010 5:32 pm

I'll try that.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Sat May 29, 2010 9:16 pm

Do you clean your headjoint regularly? Be sure to swab it out before putting it in the case. Some people overlook the headjoitn because it does not have pads and they assume it is not important. Also remember to wash your cloths on a regular basis. You can also use mild soap and water to clean the headjoint out, making sure not to saturate the cork.

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Sun May 30, 2010 8:27 am

Yea, I do clean my head joint after I play it. I havn't been playing for the past week because of my family's move, so I have not cleaneed it for a while. I have never cleaned my cloths though. I'll clean them today. How do you clean your head joint with soap and water? Do you dampen a cloth with some water and a little bar soap, and then gently rub the outer surface of the head joint?
~Melissa

Fox · Post by **Fox** » Sun May 30, 2010 1:50 pm

I wrap a small cotton cloth, that I got from fluteworld, around the cleaning rod and use that to wipe the inside. I then use a shimmy type cloth to clean the outside (I made sure it was not one of those silver polish cloths) and that's all I do to clean the whole flute actually.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Sun May 30, 2010 2:08 pm

for the headjoint, I run warm, soapy water through it at an angle in the sink. Angle the headjoint so that the water does not get the cork wet. Rinse well and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. I do this with the HEADJOINT only. That should take care of any bacteria that is in the headjoint (bacteria leads to odor). It's also a good way to sanitize.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun May 30, 2010 9:21 pm

You know... I would almost be willing to say that the new humidity in your room has done something to the headjoint. I would also give rubbing alcohol a try and possibly a water and bleach solution (but rinse it out thoroughly afterwards!!!!). That way if it is a case of mold or mildew that should take care of it too. (I would also use these methods with a q-tip to clean the embouchure hole/riser... GENTLY!).

If that doesn't do it, I would say that the problem is probably the cork. It might have mildewed/molded. But I can't imagine that happening that quickly unless it got damp from saliva, wasn't cleaned out then the heat and humidity caused a rapid development of odor causing organisms.