please HELP :(

[sonicapogee]

hi again

The flute is [or I think so] now playable .All pads now sealing the holes ,& when the B key is pressed ,all the keys produce a note .
I suppose it should be normal for a completely new player as myself ,having problems or not beeing able to play some lower notes [?]

I mean having trouble produce those same notes but with the B key not pressed...

[pied_piper]

The thumb B key must be pressed for all notes, B or lower. If the thumb B is not pressed, none of the lower notes will sound correctly. Do you have a fingering chart for the flute? If not, try this: http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/

[jim22]

Playing the lower notes can take some practice, but also, the lowest notes may be impossible to play if there are any leaking keys. If closing the C and B keys plays a B OK, then try an A. The A key should also close the Bb key just above it. The adjustment is a small screw. The keys must close at the same time. Does the A play OK?
Jim

[sonicapogee]

Playing the lower notes can take some practice, but also, the lowest notes may be impossible to play if there are any leaking keys. If closing the C and B keys plays a B OK, then try an A. The A key should also close the Bb key just above it. The adjustment is a small screw. The keys must close at the same time. Does the A play OK?
Jim

just verified it ,the A key also closes Bb.Tested it with a cigarette paper ,and it resists pulling when inserted in Bb and only A key is pressed ,so my guess is there should be no leaking...

[jim22]

Good! I assume the A plays OK. Now try a G. Pressing down the upper G key should close the lower G key at the same time. On a split E flute, there should be a screw adjustment for that linkage too. How does the G play?

[sonicapogee]

Good! I assume the A plays OK. Now try a G. Pressing down the upper G key should close the lower G key at the same time. On a split E flute, there should be a screw adjustment for that linkage too. How does the G play?

I just checked the G key and pressing the upper key closes the lower key ,firmly & completely .I always check this by inserting a cigarette paper (very thin) then when key is closed I gently pull the paper out to check for resistance.
I was just trying to play the instrument once more....for some "weird" reason what I've been always do best was improvising,and I tried to play some notes with the B key Not pressed....and I succeded getting a lot of those....

so what i think is basically that's rather my [lack] of proper technique than issue...And that's the reason I hesitate to quote if a note sounds "as it should" .....

[jim22]

Well, you have the right idea using the paper. Also, try the paper at many positions around each key. There may be leaks at the back of the keys or either side too.

You might post another video of you actually playing the notes I have suggested. With the B key open, about the only note that should sound is the C.

[sonicapogee]

Well, you have the right idea using the paper. Also, try the paper at many positions around each key. There may be leaks at the back of the keys or either side too.

You might post another video of you actually playing the notes I have suggested. With the B key open, about the only note that should sound is the C.

hi again ,

I found a book that I could use without a teacher,and tried once more the lower notes.

So, starting from B (on the 3rd line of the G keyed stuff) and downwards to D...
ALL the notes sound really really nice...


Now I'm gonna bit naive here ,but a friends that used to play the flute told me that higher notes can be played by simply blowing in another way ,which I'm able to do ..thank god I can hear music very well (and that's the reason I can sing)When i was in conservatory ,I once asked the vocal teacher to tell me what he thinks of me as a singer ,so he asked me if I knew a song ,and ,he played it on the piano, so I sang the song and after I was finished he told me I could have a professional carreer as a singer....

[jim22]

I would say the flute is probably mostly OK if it plays down to D. There are some half steps that might still be a problem, like Bb played by closing the F key. It should simultaneously close the Bb key. The adjustment is a cork between metal tabs on the key linkage.

The foot keys may also be leaking if you can't get the low C# or C to sound.

This should be a nice flute. A repair tech would be able to make it play very well. I hope you enjoy it.

Jim
Connecticut, USA

[sonicapogee]

I would say the flute is probably mostly OK if it plays down to D. There are some half steps that might still be a problem, like Bb played by closing the F key. It should simultaneously close the Bb key. The adjustment is a cork between metal tabs on the key linkage.

The foot keys may also be leaking if you can't get the low C# or C to sound.

This should be a nice flute. A repair tech would be able to make it play very well. I hope you enjoy it.

Jim
Connecticut, USA

thanks for all your help

[sonicapogee]

I would say the flute is probably mostly OK if it plays down to D. There are some half steps that might still be a problem, like Bb played by closing the F key. It should simultaneously close the Bb key. The adjustment is a cork between metal tabs on the key linkage.

The foot keys may also be leaking if you can't get the low C# or C to sound.

This should be a nice flute. A repair tech would be able to make it play very well. I hope ydou enjoy it.

Jim
Connecticut, USA

Well ,actually the D# thrill pad was -sorry for my english here - un glued ,and when the D# thrill spatula was pressed ,gravity made the pad fell down ,a really good laugh for me ...

Well ,luckily I dipped a needle into superglue,glued it without having to dissasemble it, and now gravity no longer affects it

[jim22]

The trill pad may leak. Check all around it with the paper feeler you were using. They are glued or "floated in" with shellac or hot glue. You may be able to heat the key and reflow the glue to seal it. If it does leak it will spoil the most of the other notes. They are fairly easy for a tech to change.

[sonicapogee]

The trill pad may leak. Check all around it with the paper feeler you were using. They are glued or "floated in" with shellac or hot glue. You may be able to heat the key and reflow the glue to seal it. If it does leak it will spoil the most of the other notes. They are fairly easy for a tech to change.

well, superglue has worked fine for me ...
I checked those trill keys with the cigarette paper and both keys appear to be closing firmly.

I also found another flute on ebay and bought it ...a Buffet Crampon 228 in Excellent condition ,plays very nicely.... but there is an E on the headjoint and it got me confused ....I even made a topic for it here ....

[pied_piper]

In case anyone else reads this thread, I need to mention that superglue should NEVER be used on pads for flutes or any other musical instrument for that matter. As jim22 mentioned, flute trill key pads are installed with glues or shellac that is heated to allow the pad to be properly floated into the correct position.

The next real flute technician that works on your flute will not be happy to find pads superglued into place. When superglue (a brand of cyanoacrylate glue) is heated it gives off noxious fumes that can irritate eyes and lungs. Unfortunately, the tech won't know until it is too late.

So, to repeat, DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE ON FLUTE PADS!!!

[sonicapogee]

In case anyone else reads this thread, I need to mention that superglue should NEVER be used on pads for flutes or any other musical instrument for that matter. As jim22 mentioned, flute trill key pads are installed with glues or shellac that is heated to allow the pad to be properly floated into the correct position.

The next real flute technician that works on your flute will not be happy to find pads superglued into place. When superglue (a brand of cyanoacrylate glue) is heated it gives off noxious fumes that can irritate eyes and lungs. Unfortunately, the tech won't know until it is too late.

So, to repeat, DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE ON FLUTE PADS!!!

Well,Actually, the next real flute technician will know ,because I will simply tell him or write a note and include it with the flute
.Many Thanks though .