Ok, so i recently (as in yesterday) bought myself a new flute on the internet, i know perhaps not a smart move, but i only want a cheap one, to see if i like playing it, but ill get a new one later on. Anyways, at the moment im teaching myself, as the person whom i want to teach me flute will not be teaching for the summer holidays. Now, to my quetions. Im finding difficult to assemble the flute, do the joints need greasing? its just metal, no cork or anything, but it was fine, but now its getting rather difficult. And also, on the key the closest to the emboucher hole, there is some green stuff on the pad and the metal lip under the pad, is this going to be a huge problem? its only a small bit, i think its a bit of water damage, as i can see a water mark on the pad.

DON'T grease the joint it's likely to make the problem worse rather than better, instead clean the joint using a soft, clean cloth, a special silver cloth for the flute is best but a soft, clean cloth will do the job. As for the pads I'm no expert in flute maintance, but I'd suspect your best leaving it to a professional to look at! Hope this helps.

Ut oh

the head joint and middle bit are stuck together...

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not any more

if they stick then be really careful when you get them apart :s as it may damage it (although im sure you already knew that xD) and try cleaning them but if they're still stiff to put together/take apart, you can get grease for flutes, like the cork grease you get for clarinets etc. but it's not always a great idea - i've seen people put it on the footjoint of their flute and the footjoint just slid off mid playing!

i must say i laughed when i read that, althought i really shouldnt.

im going to upload a pic of this pad.


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thanks for the tips on the joints, the soft cloth has helped a ton!

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cant find the camera
basically.
the pad has a distincat drop mark in the middle, and has gone tuqoisey blue and the pas seat (the bit that leaves a line when you push it down i think) has got a bit of green on it, i took a toothbrush to it, and some has gone, but im worried now, because am i going to need to get the whole thing overhauled?

Taking a toothrbush to a pad is a very bad idea as you will damage it for certain. It just might be that some of the cheaper flutes of the internet come like that sadly. I would just leave it until you can either get it seen to by a professional repairer or your teacher. Chances are it just might be discoloured and as long as it doesn't affect the playing of the instrument I wouldn't be too bothered about it.

For the problem you are having with the joints. Clean them as said with a soft, dry cloth, both inside the top of the body and the part of the footjoint that joins the body aswell. If this doesn't work get a candle and with the bottom of it rub a little wax onto the joints of the instrumet and put the flute together. Twist the headjoint/footjoint round and round (DO NOT GRIP THE KEYS WHEN DOING THIS) then take it apart and clean any excess wax off with a cloth. If you have the problem of completely getting a part stuck after playing don't force it, leave the instrument sitting out to cool and try a few minutes later to take it apart.