Headjoint cleaning

[Baz]

As a new flute player in both senses - ie a new player playing a new flute (Yamaha) - I'm curious as to the methods people use to swab out the headjoint. So far as I can tell, there are three methods: 1 Use a rod/gauze combination 2 Use the sponge end of a HW flute pad saver 3 Use a special headjoint swab made by BG (France) which attaches to the end of the cleaning rod. All three methods are effective, but I'm anxious not to move the headjoint cork when swabbing out. Am I simply being neurotic about this?

[~Stormy~]

No I don't think so because moving the cork could really change your tone and tuning. Just be super careful when getting close to the cork. And if u do move the cork ask your band director or someone to help you fix it. Then they can put the cork where it should be.

[flutepicc06]

Assuming your cork is fit properly, it will take some dedicated force to move it. It won't be hard to move, but simply swabbing out the instrument is not at all likely to cause any problems with that. If the cork should move, you're either swabbing much to forcefully or you need the cork replaced. As long as the crown has not been turned, simply pushing the cork back in should return it to the position it was at before you started swabbing, but I would not suggest letting your band director work on your instrument, even for something seemingly simple like this. Band directors have some very unusual ideas about how to repair (most often it's just jerry-rigging and not true repair) and care for instruments that they're not familiar with, and when it comes to working on something so vital to sound production as the headjoint, it's best to let a professional take care of things if you're not comfortable and knowledgeable enough to do it yourself. There's also the option of a flute flag (which I favor) when it comes to cleaning out the head. It really does a great job of wicking away the moisture and the shape lets you get right up against the stopper.

[fluteguy18]

any of the methods you listed are fine, except the pad saver. Pad savers are intended to be put in a flute AFTER it has been swabbed out to draw further moisture away from the pads while it is in its case. If you swab the flute out with the pad saver, then put the pad saver back inside the flute, then shut the case.... you might as well have not swabbed it at all.

Dont worry too much about moving the headjoint cork. It takes quite a bit of effort to move, so swabbing it out in most cases wont even begin to move it.

[flutepicc06]

any of the methods you listed are fine, except the pad saver. Pad savers are intended to be put in a flute AFTER it has been swabbed out to draw further moisture away from the pads while it is in its case. If you swab the flute out with the pad saver, then put the pad saver back inside the flute, then shut the case.... you might as well have not swabbed it at all.

Just to clarify, if you use the pad saver to swab out the flute, but don't put it back in the case, there should be no issue, but as Adam mentioned, swabbing the flute and then returning the pad saver to the flute is not a good idea. This also goes for cleaning cloths (which should be kept outside the case) and any other method of removing moisture.

[woof]

Also I think it helps to leave the flute case cover open for an hour or so after swabbing the flute to allow any residual moisture to evaporate before closing up the case.

[Baz]

Thanks to all for your posts. Regarding swabbing out the hj with a pad saver - the HW flute pad saver has a special cylindrical sponge end for swabbing the cork end of the hj. I don't keep mine inside my flute. I've read conflicting reports about the good and bad points of keeping pad savers in flute/sax/you name it. Some professionals swear by them and have used them for years without apparent disaster, others wouldn't give them the time of day. Don't want to get into another argument about it though! For the record, I think they're great to use during a break in a practice session and after the normal rod/gauze when finished. I leave mine in for an hour or so if possible (they ARE designed to wick away moisture from pads and the bore) and then take them out before putting the flute to bed.

[andy957]

I'm glad you posted this thread. I am also a new flutist with a new Yamaha and believe it or not, this almost $2K instrument did not come with a rod. Any advice on which rod to get? I've seen plastic, wood, and metal. What kind of swab (or gauze?) is best? Any advice is most appreciated. THANKS!

[flutepicc06]

I'm glad you posted this thread. I am also a new flutist with a new Yamaha and believe it or not, this almost $2K instrument did not come with a rod. Any advice on which rod to get? I've seen plastic, wood, and metal. What kind of swab (or gauze?) is best? Any advice is most appreciated. THANKS!

As long as you're careful, it doesn't really matter, but metal rods are more likely to scratch the bore than either wood or plastic. As for a swab, a lintfree, soft piece of cloth (perhaps part of an old t-shirt) does pretty well. Personally, I opt for the flute flag, as it's easier and more effective (at least in my opinion). Whatever you choose to use, don't store it in the case with the instrument. An exterior pocket of the case cover or if your cover has no pockets, outside the case, but inside the cover is where cleaning materials should be kept.

[andy957]

Thanks!

[flutepicc06]

Thanks!

No problem!

[fluteguy18]

If you do actually want a Yamaha cleaning rod fluteworld.com sells them.

I think they go [the wooden ones] for about 8 dollars.

But as flutepicc said, about any sort of rod will do the job. It might be helpful to make sure that whatever sort of rod you do get, to make sure that it has a groove around one end [to help locate the headjoint cork position] so that in the future if your cork moves you will be able to tell.

[flutepicc06]

It might be helpful to make sure that whatever sort of rod you do get, to make sure that it has a groove around one end [to help locate the headjoint cork position] so that in the future if your cork moves you will be able to tell.

I don't hold much by these grooves. They're rarely exactly 17.3 mm from the end of the rod, and even if they are, there's really no guarantee that that's how far from the center of the embouchure hole the cork should be. This problem is even more likely since you'd be buying a rod that didn't originally come with the flute. It can be a good general indicator, but the groove is not the be all and end all of measuring devices. If the cork moves, chances are it needs replacing and should be taken to a tech anyway.

[fluteguy18]

very good point. I too havent ever used it as an always right marker. I have just used it to check if it has moved.