I've been playing flute for 7 years (not very much at all since covid) and the most demotivating thing was (and why i havent kept up with it) that no one ever taught me the basics and my band teacher constantly put me on the spot for things like this that I had no idea how to do and they never taught me. Thank you so much for making this video so I can learn!
I have been playing for 6 years and have never heard this mentioned before. I've always had trouble with the intonation and never checked the cork before, it was indeed out of tune when I checked it. thank you so much, this video was so helpful !
I tuned my dads old flute (which I'm practising on) a while back, but I did it comparing the third harmonic of C and the second of G, according to a guide. It worked great, and checking now, the cut on the rod matches up perfectly. I wish I had found your channel earlier though, so much information...
Hello, I've seen where the head joint is held with a hand covering the embouchure and to pull air orally into the open end, and if none can enter, there is no leak in the cork head. Love your videos, and thanks for posting. P.S. You're beautiful!
Gaetano Marino thank you ☺️ yes. You can also do it like that. I first did but the other way is a bit easier because you don’t have to hold anything else closed which is great. Will keep posting ☺️
I've been playing for almost twenty years and have never heard this mentioned before. I've checked mine with a tuner and noticed it was slightly flat, but didn't know what I could do about it. BTW could you please turn up your sound a bit ? Great vlog, keep it going.
The sad thing is that I played in school for 8 years without knowing this. Pulled out my old gemeinhardt 3sb just now to check it after not playing for years and the thing was out like 8mm. It sounds so much better. I wonder how long I played it like that. Good news is the cork seems to be still very tight despite it having sat for 13 years on and off.
Hello. My flute is half tone sharper than it should be, I guess. I mean, when I'm trying to play C, it sounds like C-sharp. Pulling out the head joint for 15mm solves the problem, but is that the right way to tune the flute? I also tried to move the cork but neither place of it affected the sound. I bought the flute from my colleague, just for fun as I love learning playing different instruments. It's "Rikter by intermusic" flute and I'm not sure if "the sharpness" is its "native" sound. May I receive your thoughts on this, please?
Moving the headjoint out is indeed an appropriate way to tune your instrument if all notes in general are playing too sharp; however, in an instance where your headjoint is pushed all the way in and it's still playing flat or if your instrument is generally in tune, but certain notes are playing sharp/flat all the time, you'd have to start looking at moving the cork.
Your "wrong" way to move the cork up is basically how the local repair shop told me to do it. They suggested putting the rod on a table, wrapping both hands around the head joint to center it over the stick, and carefully pushing down. Aside: I knew my first flute had something wrong and learned there was a cork in there when I tipped it upside down and the whole head cork assembly fell out. "Hmmm, what have we here?"
Amidala phew...that is a relief😂 but I did try the screw version and it also seemed to work. But will probably just keep doing it the ‘wrongs’ way to be honest!
Hello. I took my flute for repairing and after a week of waiting, my flute is done an sounding well again. The problem is that i cannot move the cork. I tried to doing it unscrewing the crown a bit and pressing the headjoint over the table but i felt frightened if i damage the tube. The cork is too tight and i feel it unmovable. I tell you that the cork is new and it was replaced by a new one by the "luthier/rapair" woman. I needed to move it just a bit to reach the centered tuning position. I was afraid if i applied to much force over the little screwing tube (where the crown is screwed) 😨😨😨. I did the pulling air act covering the embouchure hole and pulling air through the headjoint ending hole and my finger got absorved into the headjoint tube a bit, lol so i think the cork wasn't losing or scaping air to anywhere...
Hi i have a question about the cork. How can we know when it is time to change it? I think mine looks a bit darker on the bottom but i don’t know if it needs to be replaced
At some stage it will start shrinking and become very loose. If you can move it quite easily or feel that it keeps slipping out of place, then it is time to replace! When in doubt, take it to your technician and they can check it out for you 👌🏼
@@TheFlutePractice Thank you. The crown does seem to rotate more than it should and it looks a bit darker at the bottom than the upper part so i guess it is time.
So what contributes to the cork becoming dislodged, or losing its position? I would have never had thought that would be something to cause a flute to be out of tune, but it makes perfect sense now 😊
Caryn Brame I think the biggest culprit is probably cleaning. Sometimes when we consistently clean with a lot of pressure in the head joint it can move the cork. As the cork gets older as well and loosens it may also move more easily up or down. And then of course screwing the top too tight could also move it.
The Flute Practice hmm I need to be aware of aggressive cleaning, sometimes I see some condensation left behind in the head joint and I tend to put a little pressure to reach it . I knew the cork existed I never thought that it could move because it seemed like it was in there pretty tight. Does it need replacing at sometime in the life of the flute, just because it’s old?
The cork will also dry out and shrink over time. If it pulls away from the walls or top or bottom plates of the assembly, they'll be gaps that can mess with the harmonics and intonation of the instrument. If something is just not sounding right, bring it in for a check.
Hello! I have a flute and I think it is low-end, and I noticed that the cork is not in the center, I tried to do as you said (open the lid a little and push in) but the cork does not move :'( my flute is wrong? TT-TT Greetings from Chile (sorry for my english jaja)
Im using the flute of my school for Intermediate Band, apparently my flute is not even fixed, it’s cork-head is not even in the right position, I tried doing what you told me to but it doesn’t push in, it is way too deep into the end, do you have more method or such? Thank you very much, now I have knowledge.
I have a question my friend bought a Flute but when it came to him the head crown is gone or missing can you still play it normal without the crown? but the cork is still there
Love your videos! You always have such great information. Do you have any tips on how to loosen the cork from the tube? Mine is just a smidgen out of centre but is so tight in there it won't budge in or out. Also, many many many years ago, I heard a flute repairman say that if a cork is too loose, it may be because it has dried out and a quick remedy is to remove it and boil (yes boil) it in water for a bit to re-hydrate it. Now I've never done that to mine but just wondering if you've ever heard that. Anyway, many thanks in advance. Marie
tatisoap hmmm...will ask my repair guy about he boiling and get back to you. I have seen then take out the cork and wash the plates etc around it (and the whole head joint...that was terrifying) but never boil the cork. Honestly I think it is just easier and better to get a new one. With regards to your tight cork. If it really won’t move that I would suggest rather taking it in to the repairman. It is possible the pipe around it is a bit damaged or something cause it not to move at all. Hope that helps!
I have a question regarding the silver plate in the inside of my flute. While I was cleaning with my plastic rod some of the cotton came away and made a circular scratch on the silver plating on the cork end. Does this happen sometimes or is this a major mistake on my part? I know accidents can happen I just hope this isn't a big one. My cork didn't move as I checked it afterwards.
I've been playing flute for 7 years (not very much at all since covid) and the most demotivating thing was (and why i havent kept up with it) that no one ever taught me the basics and my band teacher constantly put me on the spot for things like this that I had no idea how to do and they never taught me. Thank you so much for making this video so I can learn!
Pleasure! I hope you can learn some of the basics here. If you have any questions send them to us!
I have been playing for 6 years and have never heard this mentioned before. I've always had trouble with the intonation and never checked the cork before, it was indeed out of tune when I checked it.
thank you so much, this video was so helpful !
I tuned my dads old flute (which I'm practising on) a while back, but I did it comparing the third harmonic of C and the second of G, according to a guide. It worked great, and checking now, the cut on the rod matches up perfectly. I wish I had found your channel earlier though, so much information...
This mas SOOOO helpful omg thank you!!!!!
Hello, I've seen where the head joint is held with a hand covering the embouchure and to pull air orally into the open end, and if none can enter, there is no leak in the cork head. Love your videos, and thanks for posting. P.S. You're beautiful!
Gaetano Marino thank you ☺️ yes. You can also do it like that. I first did but the other way is a bit easier because you don’t have to hold anything else closed which is great. Will keep posting ☺️
thanks for you video, really helpful advices!
I've been playing for almost twenty years and have never heard this mentioned before. I've checked mine with a tuner and noticed it was slightly flat, but didn't know what I could do about it. BTW could you please turn up your sound a bit ? Great vlog, keep it going.
I am 9 and am so thankful for this video
Thank you Emma!
The sad thing is that I played in school for 8 years without knowing this. Pulled out my old gemeinhardt 3sb just now to check it after not playing for years and the thing was out like 8mm. It sounds so much better. I wonder how long I played it like that. Good news is the cork seems to be still very tight despite it having sat for 13 years on and off.
Thank you! Very well explained.....I am having that issue right now...❤❤❤❤
Magic presentation and very informative- Thanks
Definitely helpful
Wow that fixed my sound. I thought it was me. Thank you!!!
Thank you for the video!
You literally save my life!!! Thank you for your explanation, it was very clear
Thank you so much!!
Glad you found it helpful! 😄🎶
Hello. My flute is half tone sharper than it should be, I guess. I mean, when I'm trying to play C, it sounds like C-sharp. Pulling out the head joint for 15mm solves the problem, but is that the right way to tune the flute? I also tried to move the cork but neither place of it affected the sound. I bought the flute from my colleague, just for fun as I love learning playing different instruments. It's "Rikter by intermusic" flute and I'm not sure if "the sharpness" is its "native" sound. May I receive your thoughts on this, please?
Moving the headjoint out is indeed an appropriate way to tune your instrument if all notes in general are playing too sharp; however, in an instance where your headjoint is pushed all the way in and it's still playing flat or if your instrument is generally in tune, but certain notes are playing sharp/flat all the time, you'd have to start looking at moving the cork.
I learned about this when I almost gave my teacher a heart attack by pulling out the whole cork to clean the head joint 😂
Your "wrong" way to move the cork up is basically how the local repair shop told me to do it. They suggested putting the rod on a table, wrapping both hands around the head joint to center it over the stick, and carefully pushing down. Aside: I knew my first flute had something wrong and learned there was a cork in there when I tipped it upside down and the whole head cork assembly fell out. "Hmmm, what have we here?"
Amidala phew...that is a relief😂 but I did try the screw version and it also seemed to work. But will probably just keep doing it the ‘wrongs’ way to be honest!
I can't get the screw piece on the top to go on. Please help!
When i placed my rod inside the headjoint
It shows two lines near the edge of the embou hole
Does that mean its right or not?
Hello. I took my flute for repairing and after a week of waiting, my flute is done an sounding well again. The problem is that i cannot move the cork. I tried to doing it unscrewing the crown a bit and pressing the headjoint over the table but i felt frightened if i damage the tube. The cork is too tight and i feel it unmovable. I tell you that the cork is new and it was replaced by a new one by the "luthier/rapair" woman. I needed to move it just a bit to reach the centered tuning position. I was afraid if i applied to much force over the little screwing tube (where the crown is screwed) 😨😨😨. I did the pulling air act covering the embouchure hole and pulling air through the headjoint ending hole and my finger got absorved into the headjoint tube a bit, lol so i think the cork wasn't losing or scaping air to anywhere...
Hi i have a question about the cork. How can we know when it is time to change it? I think mine looks a bit darker on the bottom but i don’t know if it needs to be replaced
At some stage it will start shrinking and become very loose. If you can move it quite easily or feel that it keeps slipping out of place, then it is time to replace! When in doubt, take it to your technician and they can check it out for you 👌🏼
@@TheFlutePractice Thank you. The crown does seem to rotate more than it should and it looks a bit darker at the bottom than the upper part so i guess it is time.
The secret to a good seal is in your local plumbers shop. I'm only pointing you where to go and you've got to find it yourself like Frodo.
K B 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Because, cork always gets wet and shrinks.
Thanks
So what contributes to the cork becoming dislodged, or losing its position? I would have never had thought that would be something to cause a flute to be out of tune, but it makes perfect sense now 😊
Caryn Brame I think the biggest culprit is probably cleaning. Sometimes when we consistently clean with a lot of pressure in the head joint it can move the cork. As the cork gets older as well and loosens it may also move more easily up or down. And then of course screwing the top too tight could also move it.
The Flute Practice hmm I need to be aware of aggressive cleaning, sometimes I see some condensation left behind in the head joint and I tend to put a little pressure to reach it . I knew the cork existed I never thought that it could move because it seemed like it was in there pretty tight. Does it need replacing at sometime in the life of the flute, just because it’s old?
The cork will also dry out and shrink over time. If it pulls away from the walls or top or bottom plates of the assembly, they'll be gaps that can mess with the harmonics and intonation of the instrument. If something is just not sounding right, bring it in for a check.
Hello! I have a flute and I think it is low-end, and I noticed that the cork is not in the center, I tried to do as you said (open the lid a little and push in) but the cork does not move :'(
my flute is wrong? TT-TT Greetings from Chile (sorry for my english jaja)
🙏🙏🙏
Im using the flute of my school for Intermediate Band, apparently my flute is not even fixed, it’s cork-head is not even in the right position, I tried doing what you told me to but it doesn’t push in, it is way too deep into the end, do you have more method or such? Thank you very much, now I have knowledge.
I've got no idea, maybe ask a teacher or get it sent to the shop
I have a question my friend bought a Flute but when it came to him the head crown is gone or missing can you still play it normal without the crown? but the cork is still there
My flute doesn't have end caps, the cork seems to be metal and most of the keys have no effect when pressed.
Mine doesn't move at all. It is brand new so what do I do?
Love your videos! You always have such great information. Do you have any tips on how to loosen the cork from the tube? Mine is just a smidgen out of centre but is so tight in there it won't budge in or out. Also, many many many years ago, I heard a flute repairman say that if a cork is too loose, it may be because it has dried out and a quick remedy is to remove it and boil (yes boil) it in water for a bit to re-hydrate it. Now I've never done that to mine but just wondering if you've ever heard that. Anyway, many thanks in advance. Marie
tatisoap hmmm...will ask my repair guy about he boiling and get back to you. I have seen then take out the cork and wash the plates etc around it (and the whole head joint...that was terrifying) but never boil the cork. Honestly I think it is just easier and better to get a new one. With regards to your tight cork. If it really won’t move that I would suggest rather taking it in to the repairman. It is possible the pipe around it is a bit damaged or something cause it not to move at all. Hope that helps!
@@TheFlutePractice thank you so much!
I have a question regarding the silver plate in the inside of my flute. While I was cleaning with my plastic rod some of the cotton came away and made a circular scratch on the silver plating on the cork end. Does this happen sometimes or is this a major mistake on my part? I know accidents can happen I just hope this isn't a big one. My cork didn't move as I checked it afterwards.
Shouldn't be an issue at all
Why aren’t certain notes playing for me? I can’t play F, E, or D and G sounds awful
Sounds like you may have a leak in the pad. I would take it in for a service!
The cork is not moving in my flutte. I’ve been trying to push the top down but it is not moving! What do I do?
Unscrew it til there's a gap and then push it in
My flute is 40 years old
Hi, I don't have a cleaning rod, could you share with me the measurements of the cleaning rod?
I just measured the cleaning rod on my Yamaha flute and the notch is exactly 17mm from the end of the cleaning rod.
@@joshuarosen6242 thanks man, I really appreciate it
More importantly, have you checked the children? 😂😉
Georgina Sandnes 😂😂😂😂
Does someone know how to fix the top thing if it got out completly
Just put it back so that the hole on the plug matches up with the center screw rod thing and screw it back on
Woodglut has a very large project base.
Did you ever seen bansuri ? I m curious to know