AboutJoe Piccolo Expertise all things related woodwind repair and maintenance.
I do not accept qustions regarding serial numbers and the value of new/used flutes.
Experience Repair at the Balanced Scale is not Sax Pads considered in terms of “good enough” for a student instrument and meticulous for the professional. Traditional and time-tested materials and practices are coupled with modern band instrument repair tooling, techniques, and materials to provide excellent repair for all instruments.
Organizations Part of a Larger Organization
N.A.P.B.I.R.T. (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians), of which I have been a member since 2004, is an international professional association comprised of musical instrument repair technicians from all over the world. A network of colleagues, mentors and friends, the Association encourages the continuing growth of the industry’s knowledge base through its newsletter, yearly conferences, and workshops.
Education/Credentials Continuing Education - Student for Life
In 2004-2006, I attended and completed the practical portion of a highly specialized program focusing on brass and woodwind repair at Keyano College. The Music Instrument Repair Program (M.I.R.) is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Program offers students a comprehensive foundation of repair theory coupled with practical application followed up with industry feedback and guidance.
During my time at Keyano, I developed a deep interest in flute repair. In 2007, this interest took me to Straubinger Flutes in Indianapolis, Indiana where I received specialized training and certification for the installation and servicing of Straubinger pads.
Experience and Training at a Glance
Straubinger Flutes, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
2007 – Straubinger Pad Certification
Keyano College - M.I.R. Lab, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
2004-06 - Student Shop Assistant
Tool Trade, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1993-2004 - All aspects of manual machining related to the tooling industry:
Precision grinding
E.D.M. (electrical discharge machining)
Layout and inspection
Hand polishing
Spotting and fitting
I.S.O. training
University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1990-92 - Music Education
Question QUESTION: Hi joe, i think you can help me with this, I'm sure you've run into this... if not any suggestions
Model(if it helps) is Rosettii, which is a cheapie brand I know, but still X___x
My "G" key, or the 3rd finger (or the 5th key if you count all the keys) is VERY hard to press and wont close all the way if i don't press HARD. it and the one right under it (it closes with it, on the Bohem system) wont close easily, and I've looked around on my flute and NO tuning screw affects it.. it has its own separate bar for just those two keys, so I dont know how to make it easier to depress. On my flute, no other key affects either two keys when pressed, so I cant use any of those screws either...
does anyone know how to fix this? I may upload a youtube video if necessary, I KNOW I can fix this myself, but I just don't know how to go about it.
Thanks in advance
~Chris~
ANSWER: Chris,
What you have described sounds like a binding issue to me. You are correct the double "g" key operates on it's own. There are no other linkages (except for a split E mechanism) that attach to the key work.
From my understanding of your question the key will ot close under normal spring tension, it requires super human strength!!!!!!
O.K. here we go.
The first thing I need yo to try is loosening the hinge rod that runs through the double G key.
What did you notice? Did it help?
If not remove the "steel" and look for rust, if its rusty it need's to be cleaned with lighter fluid and very fine steel wool (oooo brand) then take a pipe cleaner with the lighter fluid and clean the hinge tube. Apply oil to the hinge tube and the steel. Re assemble and re-test. Mind the spring when you perform this task. Does the spring fit in the post good and snug?
Other things to try and notice
Check to see that you do not have anything "extra" under the "tail" of the "G" key. The tail is the little part at the back of the key that makes contact with the body. Although this would affect the key's open position, it's a good place to start. What did you notice?
Is the spring that operates the G key properly aligned in the spring catch?
Is the G# key rubbing against the double G key?
Is there any clicking noises when you press the double G key?
Is there any binding or other bent keys contacting the G key ?
Look at the front of the flute, do both of the double G keys look even? Or is one lower than the other? If it is it will be difficult to play past an A-Ab.
Do the pads appear to be closing at the back first?
Does the G key feel "tight" through the whole range of motion? Or just in the beginning or the end of the motion?
Has the flute been dropped? Look down the inside of the instrument (the bore) and notice if there are any dents. Perhaps the post has sustained some damage causing binding.
Is the flute in line G or off set?
Offset. Both keys appear even and close even... I can't really tell if the pad is sealing in the back first but It seems like it might be...
Does the key return to an up position slowly?
No, the spring action seems to be working fine, but after the first %90 of the trip, EXTRA force is required to push it the rest of the way down.
When was the last time you oiled the flute?
O____o it was oiled last year around Christmas.. maybe a little before. Although, I was not the one who oiled it and i'm not sure if everything was oiled.
Did you try backing out the steel? (thats the metal "screw" that the key rotates on")
Check for any points of contact from the double G key to the G#, the spring cradle (where the spring connects to the key) there can be little clearance between the hingetube for the G# and the spring cradle on the double G
And finally is the left hand pinky G# key arm catching on the key cups for the double G?
Thats about all I have Chris, without having the flute on my bench to touch and see.
I see you on the flutist connect as well. Don't put any tarnex on your flute rods...it might work for the present moment but it will cause long term damage if it's not cleaned out. as far as vegitable oil, it will turn rancid in time.
Good luck for great notes, and if all else fails...take your flute to a repair shop. If you need me to reccomend you to a technician I can do so. Just provide me with your state, city, and zip code.
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