Instrument Maintenance Tips

Flute Maintenance Tips

Assembling the Flute

1. Wipe off any dirt or foreign matter from the tenons & sockets to keep the joints fitting easily together.

2. Try not to press the keys when assembling. Hold the instrument carefully and slowly rotate the parts to join them together.

3. Use the marking on the joints (if available) as a guide for aligning the head joint to the body.

(NOTE: Keys bend easily. Be careful not to squeeze the keywork during assembly as pad adjustment might be affected.)

If the joints are tight, re-wipe joints and sockets with a dry clean cloth. DO NOT USE GREASE or LUBRICANT of any kind, as this will attract dirt and foreign matter. If they are still too tight bring it to KBB Music for adjustment.

Tuning

Tuning is accomplished by pulling the head joint slightly apart from the body. Do not attempt to adjust the head joint crown and attached cork assembly without proper supervision or direction.

Care of Interior

After playing, any moisture in the instrument needs to be removed.

1. Insert the corner of a lint free cleaning cloth through the hole at the top of the cleaning rod . Wrap the cloth around the cleaning rod making sure that the top of the cleaning rod is completely covered. Insert the cloth covered rod into the top of the flute main body & push it right the way through, pulling it out the other end. Make sure it is not to tight & don’t pull it backwards or it may get stuck. Repeat this several times until dry & repeat the same process for the footjoint. Using the same cloth & rod also swab out the headjoint. You can’t push it right through on the head so be careful to hold on to the end of the cloth so you can pull it back out.

2. If the cloth gets stuck, don’t attempt to force it or pull it out as this can cause serious damage. Bring it to KBB Music for removal.

3. Wipe down tenons & sockets to remove moisture & any foreign matter to keep the joints fitting properly and avoid the chance of corrosion on tenons.

Care of Exterior

Remove any dirt, including fingerprints from the surface of the instrument with a clean lint free polishing cloth. Take care not to rub the edges of the pads as this will damage the pad skins. Special cloths are available to minimise scratching the plating and assist in removing tarnish.

Liquid polish can cause a lot of damage to the pads and mechanisms. Take extreme care if you use these products. We recommend using an impregnated polishing cloth in preference to liquid polish.

Storing the Instrument

The case should always be used for storing the instrument after playing, and for transporting it. The case is designed to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating on the instrument, as well as to protect the pads and keys from damage & temperature/humidity changes. Do not put anything in the case which might put pressure on the instrument and/or keys. Periodically vacuum clean the inside of the case to avoid dirt etc. from building up and getting into the instrument.

We recommend that you have your instrument serviced once a year to keep it in good playing order.

Please feel free to contact KBB Repair Department for sound maintenance advice.