Flute adjustment needed?

[atoriphile]

How do you know if a flute is in need of adjustment?

I played a silver plated student model flute ( brand name Pan ) since the early 90s until just last year and never had it adjusted. It seemed to play perfectly fine for me through high school, college, and community band. I never had any problems with the pads sticking or the key response not being fast enough.

Although I wasn't a music major, I did take lessons from a professional flutist in college for four years and she never once mentioned the need to have it adjusted. I played in both wind ensemble and orchestra in college and never had any problems.

I have had my current flute, a Yamaha 481, for a year (although I bought it used and it doesn't have a gizmo key, so it is much older than that). It doesn't feel like it needs to be adjusted at the moment, either, although I did send it in for a clean, oil, and adjust (COA) at the same time as my Gemeinhardt 4W piccolo (which did need adjustment because the D# key was sticking).

Perhaps I subconsciously compensated for the adjustments that needed to be made. If so, is there any way to tell if a flute (or piccolo) needs to be adjusted? Or is there a particular schedule you would recommend? Once a year? Every 5 years?

Thanks!

[flutepicc06]

Adjustment is different from pad issues like sticking, or mechanical issues that might cause the mech to slow. Adjusting a flute simply makes sure the keys are working together as they should (keys with linkages close at the same time with no lost motion). This is part of a COA, which as a general rule should be carried out once every year (if you play your flute particularly often or hard, more often may be necessary....My flutes (at least the ones I use most) get a COA roughly every 6-8 months). Every few years (3-5 is the norm), an overhaul should also be performed. This will put the flute in basically new condition when performed by a good tech. As for checking whether adjustments are needed, check to be sure that keys involving linkages to other keys (the F-F#-Bb combo, for example) seal at exactly the same time. Also, check for lost motion by very slowly and lightly depressing a key. If there's lost motion that should be corrected, the key will move on it's own before starting to take down the keys connected to it. For example, if you press the F key, if it doesn't immediately begin to take down the F# and Bb keys, there's lost motion there. Chances are after nearly 15 years of playing, that Pan will need some work. A good tech can tell you for sure.