First, I know that my Sankyo needs a COA, and I will get it done as soon as I can afford it. I just don't have an extra $200 right now .....
Anyway, my Prima Sankyo has decided that it doesn't like particular notes now -- A flat and E flat (high). When I get to these notes, whether in a scale or run or if I hit them straight out, first nothing comes out and then a seriously-watered down note comes out. Is there anything I can look at myself to see why this is so, or should I just figure that the I've got a leak somewhere and just wait until I can get it to the repair shop? Never had a problem like this before ..... but then, I never had a top of the line flute, either.
I had that happen to my Artley, which is this flute I bought which you could see from looking at it that it had never been played. So I never expected it to mess up like that, but it did. One day it seemed fine, then the next it would not play. I figured it needed adjusting, maybe to compensate for the pads settling in, or something. Rather than experimenting, I took it to the shop and the guy fixed it in a couple minutes and did not even charge me for it.
Try that, I mean, if you do business with the person, to have him do a little free-bee.
MissyHPhoenix wrote:First, I know that my Sankyo needs a COA, and I will get it done as soon as I can afford it. I just don't have an extra $200 right now .....
Anyway, my Prima Sankyo has decided that it doesn't like particular notes now -- A flat and E flat (high). When I get to these notes, whether in a scale or run or if I hit them straight out, first nothing comes out and then a seriously-watered down note comes out. Is there anything I can look at myself to see why this is so, or should I just figure that the I've got a leak somewhere and just wait until I can get it to the repair shop? Never had a problem like this before ..... but then, I never had a top of the line flute, either.
Thanks in advance for any info received !
Hey Missy,
It could be one of 3 problems.
1. An adjustment cork fell off.
I would first go through and make sure that all of your extension keys are closing. Meaning the keys that close that are not directly pressed down on by your finger. There are many keys that when you press on them, they close other keys.
2. A spring popped off.
Check to see if all of the keys are springy. If you find one that is not, that is likely your problem.
3. A pad came loose.
Make sure all of your pads are seating properly and are firm.
Thanks for the ideas! I can't take it to a shop because I bought it from Miles Ahead Music in Kentucky, and there is no repairperson close by that I would trust my flute with. Phineas, I looked at everything you listed and could find nothing wrong in those areas. So I let my Sankyo sit for a few days and practiced on my 2 other flutes. Then a couple of days ago I just picked the Sankyo up and started playing without thinking about it .... and, of course, it had no problem at all. Huh. Maybe it just wanted a vacation. I still need to get a COA on it because I know it's not working at top efficiency, but at least I can play on it now.
Flutes can be so finnicky! I love her, tho. She's worth it.
I think the key there was you weren't even thinking about it. It's amazing but our brains can be our own worst enemies sometimes! Sometimes if I have trouble with something every time I go and try that thing, mentally I am aware I am doing something I consider "hard" and make changes without realizing it that cause it to be more likely I have those issues. Specifically I had this issue with High E natural. I "knew" it was a difficult note and so I tensed up every time I tried to play that note... which only caused more problems. I am really happy to hear there wasn't anything broken on your flute though
Sometimes, excess moisture can cause a pad or adjustment felt/cork to slightly swell and that can cause a leak someplace. If you lay the flute down (especially with the keys facing down) after playing (with condensation inside) the water will collect on a pad or adjustment felt/cork. Be sure that you keep the keys up when not playing to prevent moisture collecting in those areas. Also swab it out frequently if you notice excess moisture.
That could explain why you had problems and then when you came back to it later, it played OK. After it dried out, the swelling went away and it returned to normal.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
Yes, this is one of the first things I read in the manual that came with my flute and that I took to heart... Never put the flute on any surface with the keys facing down...
I keep my flute on a flute stand when not playing it (with a cover on it, of course) so that it is not laying down horizontally. I do this mainly because I do spit a lot and I use a flute flag to get out the excess moisture probably about every 15 minutes when I am practicing. But even with all this, I do have keys sticking because of moisture. So that could very well be what the problem is!
I also agree with Arlee because the notes that I was/am (altho not right now) having problems with use the A-flat pinkie key (if that is the correct name for it) and that is one of my fingers that I have arthritis trouble with. It may be that the times I couldn't get those notes out could be blamed on my arthritis rather than the flute. Sometimes my fingers don't have the strength that I need .....
Anyway, at least now it is working again. If the problem occurs again, I will keep everything in mind. Thanks so much, y'all!
I just don't have an extra $200 right now .....
Flutes can be so finnicky! I love her, tho. She's worth it.
and I use a flute flag to get out the excess moisture probably about every 15 minutes when I am practicing. But even with all this, I do have keys sticking because of moisture. So that could very well be what the problem is!