How To Drain Moisture (Spit) from Flugelhorn

Basic instructions, plus two important tips, on how to drain most of the moisture from a flugelhorn to avoid gurgling sounds.

[@bradsvideostoday]

Super helpful. This has been driving me crazy. Thank you.

[@pauldance7387]

Actually very good tips, it’s the soft blowing that really does it

[@keysnhorns5150]

Thanks. My Yamaha has only two water keys - but the second run thru, plus the valve two/main water key trick is one I didn't realize before...so thanks.

[@aaronspector8512]

Being a trumpet and trombone player I was stymied by this spit evacuation challenge. I usually open each valve's slide on my trumpet but my Courtois flugelhorn has a 1st valve trigger-which, trust me, you don't want to mess with regularly. I just did just what you did, though I have standard spit valves: touching the opening does draw out the spit and I don't feel like a jerk for poorly maintaining my horn! Thanks

[@JeannieSargent]

One thing I end up doing as well after using the main valve, is "roll" the buttons a few times pointing the horn at the ground while blowing into the horn. Then, I turn the horn so the bell is up and continue to turn the bell so the bell is now pointed at the ground and a whole bunch of condensation just rolls out the bell that I am never able to get out of the main valve. Just visualize water being in there and turn it so that it can pour out of the bell.

[@goldilips]

Thank you Jeannie for those extra hints. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "roll the buttons". I'd love to see a video from you demonstrating it.

[@stephenhill6003]

Thanks. It helps to think of the moisture as mostly condensation :-) I also give my horn a sharp, short shake which seems to bring the moisture down to the release valves.

[@darvinlima7593]

Makes me "feel so good" after getting that spit out of my flugel horn

[@brianbaker2759]

Just remember to "give it all you've got"!

[@celticpridedrums]

oh you are witty

[@GwenMcGill]

Thank you - very helpful !!

[@NiecieB65]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@pauldance7387]

Thanks I’ll use this tip

[@celticpridedrums]

hey, thanks buddy, I appreciate that for sure.

[@JoseRodriguez-hx6wk]

Good information thanks.🎺

[@stansmith4054]

I have those same stupid spit valve things on my jupiter flugel. I really hate them. I don't think they are very efficient.

[@goldilips]

Mine is a Jupiter too.

[@thejoykey7439]

Stan Smith you might like to consider installing a 21st century solution - the JoyKey automatic water drainage system. It's a little like using jet engines on planes for intercontinental air travel rather than propeller engines. www.thejoykey.com

[@richardbeck3097]

BTW What is the name of that tune you are playing, I forgot its name (old age I guess)! Thank you for the drain tips I will apply to my Holton 601 flugel. Best Regards!

[@goldilips]

Hi! That is Chuck Mangione's big hit "Feels So Good". Thanks for viewing.

[@seapeddler]

Just using a plain old handkerchief would be cool too.

[@EmmanuelThomson]

God bless🇩🇪🎺

[@scoremxcom]

Where you at hotlips L.A. ?

[@davidbarbero6212]

Why don't instrument makers just put conventional water keys on their instruments? Tried and tested. I have a flugel horn with Amado spit keys, and they are a pain.

[@thejoykey7439]

Because I played the French horn professionally for over forty years, I am very well acquainted with this issue. I got caught out with water gurgling somewhere in my instruments, on stage during performances and recordings, more times than I care to recall. In 2009 I had an idea which turned into an incredible automatic water drainage system - the JoyKey. It's a 21st century water key update. No more gurgling or worrying about when and how to drain water. There are now many flugel horns fitted out with the system. See pics at www.thejoykey.com

[@Darren_R_Powell]

Yay!

[@MrWorldclassmusician]

Having this very problem at this very moment

[@pupswillbepups]

Spit happens

[@loghbrass]

That is not alot of spit by any means