Questions about some things that came with my new flute?

[curiositycastiel]

My name is Hannah, and I have been playing flute for about four years. I am going into my freshmen yeah of high school and I just upgraded from a student model flute to an intermediate.

Just a few facts about the flute, I bought it used, and it came with some stuff unknown to me (see first bullet) along with a cleaning cloth and cleaning rod. It's a Powell Sonare 501 Open (french) Hole B foot Offset G Y arms Silver Headjoint Nickel Body.

My questions are:

•I'm not exactly sure what the above is, but I believe the paper thing is cigarette paper? Not entirely sure.
•What steps should I take/what should I buy to protect the silver headjoint, because I've only played nickel flutes since I've started.
•What brand of plugs do you recommend?
•Are there any other acessories you recommend other than cleaning rod, cleaning cloth, plugs, and cigarette paper?

Thank you so much in advance.

[Kaylyn]

I would imagine the thing pictured above is to clear out dust on your flute that gets in between keys. I have never used one in 21 years of flute playing, so probably not essential.

As for plugs, the Powell Plug O's are super nice and should fit your flute. They are very pricey though. Otherwise, whatever you prefer should work for plugs (silicone, or cork). My tech made me a cork set for my old Sankyo, and I liked them a lot.

I wouldn't worry about protecting the headjoint, maybe just wipe it down with a soft, untreated cloth when you are done playing.

I would highly recommend purchasing a flute flag also. This is instead of the cleaning rod. They are amazing. Again, expensive, but if you care for it it should serve you well for years to come. It is my favorite flute accessory. http://home.nethere.net/roger45/fluteflaga.htm

[pied_piper]

•I'm not exactly sure what the above is, but I believe the paper thing is cigarette paper? Not entirely sure.
•What steps should I take/what should I buy to protect the silver headjoint, because I've only played nickel flutes since I've started.
•What brand of plugs do you recommend?
•Are there any other acessories you recommend other than cleaning rod, cleaning cloth, plugs, and cigarette paper?

The little brush is just that - a little brush. it could be used to brush dust from under the key mechanism, but I would keep the wire part away from the flute to avoid scratching the flute. If you take your flute in for an annual COA (clean, oil, and adjust) and you should, the repair technician will take care of removing the dust. The paper is either cigarette paper to blot away moisture under pads or it could be pad paper which is nearly the same but with a powder coating.

Swab out the flute after each use. That helps keep the bore clean. Take care not to drop it.

I recommend no plugs. If you have an open hole flute, learn to cover the holes with your fingers. Clarinets have open holes too but they don't use plugs. Too many flutists are wimpy about learning to cover the open holes.

I second the recommendation of the the flute flag. It is a great swab. The next best is a silk swab. Either one is fine, but the flute flag is about $40 while silk is usually less than $10. I also suggest 3M Anti Tarnish Strips. Place a fresh one in your case every 6 months and it will help keep the silver from tarnishing as quickly.

[Gandalfe]

Plugs are favored by (many) doublers whose primary instrument is not the flute and when they don't have enough time to practice all the instruments they play. If flute were my primary instrument, I would not use plugs. (I understand the use of plugs can be a very emotional topic for some people. )

Edited to address the piper's concerns. Changes in parenthesis.

[pied_piper]

Plugs are favored by doublers whose primary instrument is not the flute and when they don't have enough time to practice all the instruments they play. If flute were my primary instrument, I would not use plugs.

My primary instrument is Sax but I do not and have never used plugs on flute.