Parts of the Flute

1. 1.Head joint
   

2. •Crown/Cork
   

3. •Lip Plate
   

4. •Riser
   

5. •Embouchure Hole
   

2. 2.Body
   

3. 3.Foot joint
   

4. •C foot
   

5. •B foot
   

Assembly and Disassembly

1. 1.Students are eager to put flutes together. Teach this first.
   

2. 2.Place case on level surface and open right side up.
   

3. 3.Take a picture of how the instrument looks when it is in the case properly.
   

4. 4.Always grasp flute by tubing and NOT keys.
   

5. 5.No oil or grease on joints.
   

6. 6.First grasp “barrel” of the body and bottom of the foot joint. Gently twist the two together straight on and not slanted.
   

7. 7.Align the rod of the foot joint to the middle of the last key on the body.
   

8. 8.Next, grasp the head joint below the lip plate and the “barrel” of the body. Gently twist the two together.
   

9. 9.Align the embouchure hole with the keys of the body of the flute.
   

10. 10. Misalignment can cause problems.
    

11. •Head joint rolled in too far
    

12. •Head joint rolled out to far
    

13. •Hand tension
    

11. 11.Disassemble using the same concepts. Remember how the instrument was placed in the case originally.
    

Care and Maintenance

Inside

1. •After playing, disassemble flute and pit it in its case on a level surface.
   

2. •Cleaning cloth (approx. 12x12, absorptive, no chemicals)
   

3. •Place the end of the cleaning cloth about 2 inches through the “eye” of the cleaning rod. Flip the excess cloth over the top of the rod and wrap it around the rod so that no parts of the rod will come in contact with the inside of the flute.
   

4. •Swab in one direction; first the foot joint, then body, then head joint. Do not store your cleaning cloth in the flute case!
   

5. •The flute flag is another great option for cleaning the inside of the flute.
   

Outside

1. •Soft polishing cloth. Avoid getting too close to pads.
   

2. •Since most student flutes are silver-plated (not solid silver) wiping down the outside of the instrument is especially important to prevent corrosion.
   

3. •Pad cleaning paper. Lightly dab pads on paper to remove dirt and moisture. Don’t press and slide.
   

4. •If joints get sticky, wipe off with a clean, chemical-free cloth. If they’re still sticky,wipe them down with alcohol.