Flute Emergency Repairs

Flutes are finicky. In this weeks tech tip I show you several of the key issues that render your flute not working and how to fix them.
Have a repair question you’d like answered? Just leave a comment, write me an email or DM me on Instagram @RepairMasterclass.
Learn to fix your own instrument with my Emergency Repair Guide. Full of step-by-step instructions, how-to videos and images, you can fix many emergency repairs yourself today. Get your copy at www.repairmasterclass.com
Music on today’s video is from Podington Bear.

[@alishaappleby7643]

Excellent video. Thank you so much. This helped me repair my child’s flute when I know I would not have the money to get this work done. Big help and a good lesson in maintenance and repairs.

[@annalisluck2903]

Full disclosure here...I have a degree in music education so I felt pretty comfortable with all of this. I had a key that was leaving slight gaps in others when I pressed down. I had been putting off taking my flute in forever because apparently I'm lazy or something 🤷‍♀️ Anyways, I have long suspected it was something SUPER slight like adjusting a screw. Yup literally all I had to do. I adjusted a tiny hidden screw and I can play my F's without pressing down my f-key with the force of what felt like the Hulk! I figure if I could restring a french horn, doing something simple on my own instrument should be cake. Now will I go repadding or recorking my flute? Nooooo! Absolutely not. But slightly adjusting screws and such I can handle. Saves me some time for other things in my busy life. Thank you!

[@repairmasterclass]

I couldn't ask for a nicer or better response. I'm really glad this was of value to you and that you no longer have to your Hulk-like strength to play.

[@BeepBop726]

I know this is months after this comment was posted but could you tell me which one it was? I’ve been having the same issues in which my Fs won’t come out without having to press harder on a certain key

[@jordanchen128]

@@BeepBop726left of the 2nd finger on the right hand under that key is a tiny screw

[@niekewibowo4517]

I have this problem too! F-key doesn't shut properly. Over watching this video, i loosened the screw on the left of f-key and problem fixed! Thanks a lot👍😁

[@Hwarang898]

Thank you so much , you save my life 😭

[@cristinajacksonvillebeachf9076]

Thank you…really appreciate!

[@djsmsdjsms4269]

Thankkk uuu because of you I fixed my fluteeeee

[@repairmasterclass]

You're welcome.

[@EmmaChimenton-gi4hy]

thank you so much, i had a concert and one of the springs connected to my b flat rod/key came off and was stuck in the flat position. its fixed now, thank you :D

[@repairmasterclass]

Glad it helped!

[@user-xm6df9rs7d]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@repairmasterclass]

You are welcome!

[@kimberlyvito6391]

Hello, thank you so much for the master class! One question on the g# key when you put it back where should I put the spring. It is also not working properly. I'm having trouble doing that.

[@repairmasterclass]

Great question. I should do a video on this topic as I get the question a lot. Okay, let's agree on what side of the instrument we're talking about then go forward from there: If we're looking down on the flute we can see the Bb/B (left thumb) key on one side and the G# lever on the other; let's call the Bb/B side the back side and the G# side the front side. The springs typically sit on the back side of the spring notch and will lift the key up or open. If you happen to put the spring on a side and it forces the key closed - move the spring to the other side...the only and obvious exception to this being the Eb on the foot joint and the G# we're about to talk about, which are to stay closed unless pushed. Now, the G# key, way under everything else, MAY be an exception to putting the spring on the back side. Every manufacturer will install this spring in a different, unique way and you may need to play with it to figure out what their intent was - keep in mind, you want the G# to be pushed closed by the spring. To make this a bit more tricky, you have to set this spring before you insert the key rod...a bit of an acrobatic feat at times... but you'll be able to see right away if the the spring is pushing the pad closed or open and can adjust. Long answer - like I said, it needs it's own video - but I hope this is a help.

[@theresaguerrero2308]

Great information. I have two flutes; a student flute that has screws on top of the keys, and a way better one that has them hidden. The hidden ones makes it very difficult to choose which ones to turn so I am too scared to try to do it myself. I requested the free info as you suggested so I am hoping it goes into more detail on which key/screws adjust what. Thanks!

[@thatwhitestone]

Same I tightened all my screws and now all the keys sound the same

[@thatwhitestone]

Hello, thank you this already seems helpful. I tightened all my screws and now all the notes sound the same... please help? Is there an exact tightening for each screw?

[@prlygrlonline]

Do you have a video on how repair the flat springs on a Flute for the Thumb Key on Flute?

[@repairmasterclass]

Not yet! What would you like to see?

[@bbxdream2747]

My flute keeps making a buzzing sound when I play C# or when I don’t press any keys how to I know what is the problem? I can’t seem to find the problem I know is in the middle part of the flute on the end but I don’t know :(

[@repairmasterclass]

Hmmm... Interesting question. By "buzzing" do you mean a metal on metal sound or the tone flutters or something else?

[@Neuro_Spicy887]

Could you please advise the specific screws I should adjust to fix the issue where my high E flat sounds flat with standard fingering but is in tune with the shortened fingering? I frequently alternate between the two fingerings in chromatic passages to balance the intonation with surrounding notes. However, it's confusing to choose between the two while playing. Please help.

[@repairmasterclass]

Probably Not an adjustment screw... I'd venture a guess you have an air leak in a pad or key heigh openings could be causing issues. High E is never nice to tune but you should be able to get them to lock. Find a local tech who's good with flutes that you trust and go play your flute for them and see if they can help sort out what mechanical issues may be contributing to the issue. There are a few possibilities to consider.

[@jesudara]

Hello sir, my A# key isn't working what do you advise?

[@GggRaj-zh5vq]

My F key isn’t working is there any way u can help me in the next 20 minutes

[@feralsenri_5]

Hi! One question, my low D isn't coming out when it usually does. What screws should I look for or what should I try to fix?

[@repairmasterclass]

Sorry for my delay, I was on vacation. There are a few reasons this could be happening. 1) The screw at the D key (could be on top and easily visible or under the key) could be the issue. Use a feeler gauge and adjust accordingly. Very, very small turns of this screw make big changes. 2) The D# key on the foot joint could be leaking. Use a feeler gauge to test for a seal here. 3) The D key could be leaking. Take a look at these possibilities - learn more about how to do this with the Emergency Repair Guide available for free on my site - and if you're still having issues, take it to a shop you trust.

[@markwangiddens69]

My F key isn’t working when I try to play a Bb with my index finger and B natural key

[@markwangiddens69]

In my piccolo

[@ginnybordeleau]

GUYS I NEED HELP!!! My G key is playing a F# and I have a concert in a week and a half. I have no idea why it is doing that and no tutorial is helping me. I have no time to take it to the repair shop because it takes about 3 weeks since where I live theres only one music store in the whole territory. SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASEEE😭😭😭😭

[@repairmasterclass]

This is a difficult one. There are 2 pads involved in your G and one of them seems (and I’m guessing here because I have not inspected your instrument) but seems not to be closing. Unless you have a split E mechanism installed on your flute (the G key is split between two independent keys and not just one fixed key) then the repair is beyond what I can help you with here. Sorry. Go buy groceries like chips, health bars, fruit, root beer, chocolates, etc, and take them with you to the repair shop. Start by placing the chocolate on the counter, then your flute. Add snacks as needed to get your flute done sooner. 😉

[@lindasimms7165]

I have a screw that will not come out, is there any way to loosen it.

[@jenflute]

my flute had this problem found out that the rod was bent so it wasn’t loosening 🥲

[@lindasimms7165]

Thanks, what did you do to fix it?

[@jenflute]

@@lindasimms7165 i had to send it to the shop bc i didnt have the tools to fix it! sorry for not being of much help!

[@repairmasterclass]

Sorry for my delay. This one is tricky! Stuck screws is were technicians really earn their keep. Breaking off a head and then having to extract a screw without causing damage to the rest of the instrument is a critical skill... one I'm still working on 26 years later. It's hard. If you have a stuck screw, take it to a great tech. If they can't get it, have them reach out to me and we'll consult on several options.

[@mistarx3875]

Help, my spring fell off, how do i re attach it to the flute? will super glue work?