Flute Conditions

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:37 pm

I don't know if this happens to you guys...but whenever I play the flute, when the flute is "cold" (really cold), I feel out of control. And if the flute is extremely warm (even when cleaned out), all the notes are fuzzy and soft? does this ever happen to you?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:48 pm

That should not be happening. Likely it's minute changes in the way the pads seal that is causing the fuzziness. It may also be that the headjoint cork needs replacement and the temperature is causing it to become less effective. As for feeling out of control, I can't say I have ever experienced that from a cold flute. If you mean pitchwise, that would make some sense, as a cold flute generally is flat and a little funky to get in tune, but if you just mean that it's generally hard to control (hard to hit the notes you want, or get it to speak, or play around with tone), I have never connected any of that to the flute being cold. Try warming the flute up gradually by sealing your lips around the embouchure hole and gently blowing warm air through it (If you finger the lowest note you can play, this will work faster). Then hold it close to your torso to keep it warm.

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:15 pm

I go with flutepicc06 too.
There are minor changes in pitch when temperature really changes. But not so noticeable this way you discribed.

Zevang

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:57 pm

I agree as well.

I have never had this sort of problem. so, I would take his [flutepicc=Chris] advice. also, if you havent been playing very long it might just be lack of proficiency. I know that the first 6 months that I played my flute, I could not get it to play if there was condensation in the tube, so I had to wipe it clean every 20 minutes or so. But, I kept practicing, and it turns out that I worked beyond that and it was just an immaturity as a player thing.

So.... if you are a beginner [you didnt say how long you have been playing] it might just be the fact that you are a beginner, and have a hard time adjusting to your flute's changes due to various conditions. but... if you arent..... then it very well could be something that flutepicc mentioned.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:21 pm

I have to say, it's probably both.
This doesn't really happen to me that often...
My flute always faces dramatic weather changes. In my house, my flute is extremely cold then in the band room it is a lot warmer and then my band teacher makes me play when its 40 degrees outside and march in the dew...
It's not really the condensation because when i was younger, I didn't even clean my flute and it sounded fine.
But once I play tone exercises, the sound clears up. So I guess it's probably both...

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:36 am

Sorry I wasnt clear. The condensation was just an example of a problem I had. I wasnt saying that you were having the same problem. I was just trying to give an example.

sorry I didnt clarify.