Flute Care

· Keep your flute out of extreme conditions. Not too hot; not too cold. Not too humid; not too dry. Leaving your flute in a hot car or direct sunlight can destroy it.

· Dramatic changes in temperature can be destructive. Blowing hot breath into a frozen flute might also cause damage. It’s a good idea to slowly warm up your flute. The temperature will also affect the tuning, whether sharp or flat. Around 72 degrees is optimal.

· Most flutes I make are finished only with 100% natural tung oil. An occasional wipe down with this same oil will help your flute live longer and sound better. Perhaps a couple times a year, depending on your flute.

· Moisture in the air channel/flue can stop the flute from playing. Some water droplets from mouth moisture might simply be blown out. After a long period of playing, if you experience “wet out” or “watering out”, remove the block/totem and let the flute dry out. This could take from several hours to overnight, depending on the flute’s wetness.

· “Sanitizing” the mouthpiece might not be an issue to you if you are the only person playing it. However, if you plan to share your flute, there are numerous ways to sanitize the mouthpiece. My preference is to use a light wipe of natural, non-toxic bacteria-killing oil, such as pure orange oil. (Many people prefer tea tree oil.) Some people will also use a very light wipe of 70% alcohol and cleaning swab. Be careful not to damage the flute’s finish.

· Playing the flute after eating and drinking increases the risk of a dirty flute. Simply put: make sure your mouth is clean before playing.

· Protect your flute from hard impacts and from being crushed. They are relatively strong, but still can be cracked and broken beyond repair if not careful.