Weird problem with flute

[nafmeadmin]

A student’s flute is acting strange. It started with her fingering a G and it coming out as F#. (I triple-checked to make sure the fingering was right.) I took it and looked it over, couldn’t find anything wrong, and gave it back. All of a sudden the problem disappeared. Her Gs were okay.

But now it has a new problem. It plays every note except the high E above the staff. I looked it over, checked all the pads for coverage, made sure all the spring were in place, and could not find anything amiss.

Anybody? Anybody? Thanks.

[nafmeadmin]

If there is a problem with the key next to her right hand pointer finger, this could explain both situations. Does the instrument have a split-E mechanism? If it is not working properly, that could be a problem.
Has the student previously played high E with no problem? That note is one of the pickiest notes on the instrument in terms of speaking. It will over-blow or sound an A above the staff if the airstream is not angled correctly and the air is not the correct speed.

[nafmeadmin]

Hello all, my name is Jesse with Hyson Music. I mentioned the issues you are having to my head technician and he offered the following insight:

-When G’s come out as F#’s, it is usually because the F# pad is still down. Possible reasons for this include: A spring may be ‘off’ or the F# Key may be ‘binding’ (this can be anywhere in the lower stack due to the hinge mechanics of the flute)

-As for your issue with the High E, either something is not ‘regulated’ correctly or something is ‘down’ when it shouldn’t be (This would occur as a result of binding keys)

Technician’s Opinion: My guess is that something in the Right-hand key-work is binding.

Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

[nafmeadmin]

Also check that there is nothing sticky on the pads. That can make a key stick temporarily, so you might not see it when you check. You can clean it with a moist -not wet – Q-tip.

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