Problem with my new flute :( Help!

[thehollyscene]

So the good news is that yesterday I bought a new flute
It's an Azumi 2000RBE.
The bad news is that now I can't get my lower notes to come out.
I played it at the store again before I bought it yesterday and everything was perfect, rich tone in the low register (all the notes came out beautifully), good high notes, etc. Then I also played it when I got home just because I couldn't keep my hands off of it. However, I just took it out of the case to play again and when I tried to play down from low C (not the lowest), but I couldn't get Ab, G, or F to play...
I'm not sure what's wrong but does anyone have any ideas as to what that could be? I'd really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks!

[pied_piper]

It's possible that a pivot screw is loose or perhaps an adjusting felt or cork has come off. Also, since this is an open hole flute, if you are not completely covering the open hole of the G key, it would cause any lower notes to not sound properly.

[thehollyscene]

I think I found the source of the problem...On the body, the second bar that holds the third and fourth keys seems to be "pushed out" and isn't in line with the first bar like it should be. It's also able to be pressed on (very gently!) and it moves so that's definitely not right. And if I look at it from the other side, there seems to be a screw underneath one of the keys that is sticking out and isn't pushed in all the way.
I guess I'm going to have to take it back to the shop where I bought it and have them check it out, which won't be until Monday
This really sucks aha. All I want to do is play my new flute...

Also, about the hand position, I was playing an open hole, offset G flute (with all the plugs out) before. I had played this one in store with no plugs and everything was beautiful so I'm 99% that was not the issue, but I did check it anyway.
Thanks for your suggestions

[moosefan01]

Hope everything goes ok tomorrow!

[pied_piper]

I think I found the source of the problem...On the body, the second bar that holds the third and fourth keys seems to be "pushed out" and isn't in line with the first bar like it should be. It's also able to be pressed on (very gently!) and it moves so that's definitely not right. And if I look at it from the other side, there seems to be a screw underneath one of the keys that is sticking out and isn't pushed in all the way.

It sounds like the hinge rod screw for the C key may not be screwed in properly. That particular hinge rod has a pivot point that also holds the A and G key assembly in place. If it has worked loose a bit, then it will allow the A-G key to move out of line as you describe. If you have a small jeweler's screwdriver, just push the A-G key back inline and then gently screw the C key hinge rod back in. That may solve your problem.



(diagram excerpted from The Woodwind Quarterly, (C) 1998 Lawrence P. Kirmser)

[thehollyscene]

So it seems like all is well again!
I took your advice, pied_piper and was able to screw that screw in with my fingernail (we don't have any tiny screwdrivers) and now it's playing again
Thank you!!

[pied_piper]

You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help. Keep an eye on that screw. It may back out again. If so, take it back to the shop - it's a common problem sometimes. Their repair tech should be able to stop it from doing that.

[thehollyscene]

Alright, I will! Hopefully it won't give me any more issues.
Thanks again for your help! I'm so happy that I'm able to play it now You also saved me from having to make a 40-minute trip back to that shop and gas money xD So I'm really thankful.

[jim22]

This is a common problem. I fixed one last week by wrapping a couple turns of Teflon plumber's tape on the threads at the pivot end of that rod. Never heard of anyone doing that, but seemed to work. Enjoy your new flute!