|
|
 |
lacruiser
(10 points)
| 
Hi All.
I just picked up a flute, my new toy!
It came with nothing, only the flute and it's case.
I need to buy some accessories, and I'd like to hear some opinions about what I need.
I was told I should have a tuning rod. What exactly does this do, and how do you use it?
And for a swab, I heard that silk is the best? I use a regular cotton swab for my clarinet, works just fine. Is silk better? I using a swab and cleaning rod the best way to dry out the flute? Other options?
And also how about those "pad saver" brushes that fit into the flute? It looks like you store them inside the flute, they apparently protect the pads from dust/moisture, etc? Are they a good thing?
thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
goldenflute
(14 points)
|
I've heard the pad saver brushes that fit in the flute do more harm then good - they hold the moisture inside. Its better to clean out the flute with a lint free cloth and a cleaning rod.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MusicalPanda
(258 points)
|
I'd suggest buy an electric tuner, and a metronome if you don't already have them. Other then that, if you put down your flute a lot, you might want to buy a flute stand.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lacruiser
(10 points)
|
Thanks for the responses so far.
I play other instruments, and I can get the pitch adjusted properly on this flute. But I'd like to know exactly what the tuning rod is supposed to do?
Is it supposed to change the pitch of the flute? That's done by moving the left joint in and out, correct? Or is it supposed to help adjust the stopper at the left end of the flute to make the flute more resonant?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian
(732 points)
|
I think you mean a tuning fork? To tune the flute, you either roll out/in or move the head joint out/in. Or, are you talking about a cleaning rod? Most cleaning rods that come with flutes have a small mark on them near the end, this is to tell if your cork is in the right place. To do that, you just insert it into the full put together flute, if the notch is at the end of the foot joint, your good!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
suzie
(472 points)
|
The purpose of the cleaning/tuning rod is to align the baffle plate (metal disk inside the headjoint) and cork, essentially, perfectly to ensure proper pitch. A good comparison would be to think of how a slide whistle/flute works. When you move the end thing either way the pitch is changed. If the headjoint cork needs replacing (not a secure seal) chances are that the indicator line/mark on the tuning rod will be closer to the crown (the piece that screws off the end). The measurement of length from the end of the rod to the slot should be the exact length (through the embouchure hole) from the bottom of the headjoint tubing to the top of the lip plate (if that makes any sense). The measurement from the baffle plate to the center of the embouchure hole is referred to as 'quantz' I believe...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lacruiser
(10 points)
|
Suzie, thanks so much for your explanation, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Now, since my flute didn't come with a cleaning/tuning rod, do I need to buy one from the manufacturer? Or are all of these rods the same length? In other words, will one tuning rod work on all flutes? Or are they "model-specific"?
I have a Yamaha 481, if that makes any difference.
thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
leighthesim
(322 points)
|
i'd order one from the yamaha site.
As for the pad savers i keep one in my flute, but it is not instead of swabing it out with the cloth, you put it in once you have cleaned the flute (swabbed it out and cleaned off the finger prints)
i find a weighted cleaning cloth to be the best cloth for the foot joint and body but a normal lint free cloth works fine for the headjoint (as you poke it up there with the cleaning rod)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
vampav8trix
(296 points)
|
A lot of music stores sell yamaha flute cleaning rods. I like the plastic ones because they don't scratch the flute.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plekto
(305 points)
|
For tuning, I have a (rounded) tuning fork that I keep in the foot joint(fit inside - stored the cleaning rag/etc inside as well to keep the tuning fork from bouncing around. A microfiber cloth like you typically get for your glasses works well.
Note - some cases have enough of a gap around the edges to slide the tuning fork in as well. I like wood or plastic cleaning rods as well if you can get them.
I got tired of carrying around the stupid tuner when a small tuning fork works just as well.
Other things:
Pad savers/etc and those foam/pipe cleaner type cleaning rods - junk, really.
Thumb rests - this is a godsend to a lot of us. Recommended.
If it has open holes, try plugging the G key if it's inline. I do this on mine and it makes it play a lot easier.
Oh - itsy-bitsy can of desiccant also does wonders if you find that you are building up tarnish. I am lucky in that I have nearly zero acidity in my sweat, but some people's flutes tarnish like crazy. No moisture makes it very hard for it to get started.
Actually - letting it dry before you put it back for a couple of minutes is usually the solution(or putting it back after cleaning when it's still damp is the problem if you want to look at it that way)
<Added>
edit - on the cloth, get a plain microfiber cloth. Nothing on it, no powder, no cleaners, nada. All of that just makes things worse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iluvoboe565
(335 points)
|
i was getting way confused when you guy were talking about where you store the padsavers and rods and stuff. I was thinking, "How can you play flute with all of that in there?" haha... its when you have the flute in the case. I got it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Micron
(1480 points)
|
There is some downright wrong stuff, and ambiguous, misleading stuff about using the mark on the cleaning rod to check crown cork position.
Find the end of the cleaning rod which has a mark about 17 mm from the end. Insert this end into the end of the 'head' of the flute (i.e. the middle-sized bit of tube). Gently put it in as far as it goes. Now, looking through the embouchure hole (that you blow over), the mar\k on the rod should be in the centre of the embouchure hole. Although some players prefer a slightly different position.
Mainly it affects the tuning of the third octave relative to the others, but if the adjustment is well out - by a few mm, many odd effects can occur.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lacruiser
(10 points)
|
Excellent answers, folks. Thanks.
Could someone please explain the details of the thumb rest? Where does it mount, and I guess it goes on the right thumb? I'd guess it makes holding the flute easier? Less fatigue? Other reasons?
And again, is the tuning/cleaning rod mark a standard mark?
In other words, the 17mm that was mentioned, is that applicable to all flutes? or does one brand have a 17mm mark, and another one a 19mm mark, etc.
I have experienced a few very weird effects (odd harmonics) on some occasion (although I'm a beginner on this instrument and attributed it to my lack of experience) so I'm guessing this end cork on my flute is not optimally adjusted.
Finally, I don't know the names of the various keys yet, but on my right hand ring finger, it's supposed to cover the 3rd round key down to the right (with the hole) in it, and I keep bumping into that little "key" that fits right between key number 3 and next round key up (number 2). Is it common to bend or somehow move that little "in-between" nubby key? Or do I just need to learn how to contort my hand so that my right-hand ring finger doesn't touch that little nubby key. It's difficult to keep my finger so that it seals the hole! I see what they mean about the closed-hole flute being easier to play. Maybe I'm holding it wrong.
thanks again for all of your responses. Much appreciated!!!
Dana
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Micron
(1480 points)
|
"... And again, is the tuning/cleaning rod mark a standard mark? In other words, the 17mm that was mentioned, is that applicable to all flutes?..."
17 is pretty much standard, unless you have a very unusual flute.
"... I have experienced a few very weird effects (odd harmonics) on some occasion (although I'm a beginner on this instrument and attributed it to my lack of experience) so I'm guessing this end cork on my flute is not optimally adjusted...."
It is very likely the way you are blowing it. Have you had any lessons from a flute teacher? Initially, at least one or two are vital.
Inside the end of the head is a cork, with metal ends. The crown cork. If it does not seal at the end that is closest to the embouchure hole, you can also get some odd effects, or if it does not seal well at all. Or if the flute has leaks.
You really need to get a clued up player or technician to check it. Then you will know whether the problem is the flute or you.
"... and I keep bumping into that little "key" that fits right between key number 3 and next round key up..."
That little key is called a trill key, and if you are bumping into it, it is almost certain that you are not holding the flute correctly. Once again, get a teacher! Bumping into it will give odd acoustic effects, or stop the flute playing.
"... It's difficult to keep my finger so that it seals the hole! I see what they mean about the closed-hole flute being easier to play. Maybe I'm holding it wrong...."
If you are having problems with sealing that particular hole, then you are holding it wrong for sure. Get a teacher! You got somebody to show you initially how to tie shoe laces; It is just as important to have an initial teacher for flute, or your disasters will be just as spectacular!
|
|
|
|
|
searching...
