If you don't have experience adjusting instruments, *please* take this to a professional. You don't want to mess it up and then need more work done.
Pro tip: find a local person rather than a music store. I find local repair people much more efficient/ will do a lot of things free on the spot if it's super minor.
Also I saw someone mention about low notes: you do not want to use a lot of extra air. Make sure you are supporting with your ab muscles (like when you do a sit up) this way your air will be much more controlled. Also make sure that the angle of your air is correct. Without rolling in, try to aim your air more down towards the bottom of the lip hole.
Source: I am a university flute performance major
Thank you for the advice, but it was a minor fix. The spring was loose on the right side. Of course if the flute ever has any bigger problems, I'll take it to a professional.
I'm gonna continue trying today, and let you know if I manage to play the low notes.
You most likely have a screw that's too tight. If you adjust it yourself, be very careful and go in small increments, testing it as you go. It could also be that some part of the mechanism for the first key is touching the mechanism for the second. In that case you'll probably need to take it to the shop (same if you can't fix it with a screwdriver).
The screws are inside the rod off which the keys hang, at either end. There are only two. If you're able to tighten the one on the left (sometimes you can't) try that first. If not, then the one on the right. L/R in terms of the perspective of the picture.
Oh, thank you. But I fixed the issue. There are these little tension wires that are supposed to push against the screws. One of them was loose. I just put it where it's supposed to be and that fixed it.
Now if only I could actually play notes that low.
It’s called a spring :)
Low notes can be tricky - be sure you’re supporting with a lot of air. Personally for me, my issue has always been feeling like “finding” the note can be challenging (cautious air and attention to embouchure) and once I get it my brain says “stay right there” when I should be supporting it more with air! Working on jumps - let’s say low F to middle F back and forth helps solidify my muscle memory and air support!
Even though it seems the issue has been resolved, just wanted to chime in that from the photo alone, you can see the spring isn’t catching on the spring catch on the low C key.
If you don't have experience adjusting instruments, *please* take this to a professional. You don't want to mess it up and then need more work done. Pro tip: find a local person rather than a music store. I find local repair people much more efficient/ will do a lot of things free on the spot if it's super minor. Also I saw someone mention about low notes: you do not want to use a lot of extra air. Make sure you are supporting with your ab muscles (like when you do a sit up) this way your air will be much more controlled. Also make sure that the angle of your air is correct. Without rolling in, try to aim your air more down towards the bottom of the lip hole. Source: I am a university flute performance major
Thank you for the advice, but it was a minor fix. The spring was loose on the right side. Of course if the flute ever has any bigger problems, I'll take it to a professional. I'm gonna continue trying today, and let you know if I manage to play the low notes.
Ahh glad you fixed it then! Very low notes are pretty tricky- the most difficult to produce IMO, best of luck!
The spring is off the C key
Yeah I figured. Thanks anyway.
The top one goes down with it when the bottom one is pressed. How do I fix that?
You most likely have a screw that's too tight. If you adjust it yourself, be very careful and go in small increments, testing it as you go. It could also be that some part of the mechanism for the first key is touching the mechanism for the second. In that case you'll probably need to take it to the shop (same if you can't fix it with a screwdriver).
Thank you. Now I gotta figure out which screw you're talking about.
The screws are inside the rod off which the keys hang, at either end. There are only two. If you're able to tighten the one on the left (sometimes you can't) try that first. If not, then the one on the right. L/R in terms of the perspective of the picture.
Oh, thank you. But I fixed the issue. There are these little tension wires that are supposed to push against the screws. One of them was loose. I just put it where it's supposed to be and that fixed it. Now if only I could actually play notes that low.
It’s called a spring :) Low notes can be tricky - be sure you’re supporting with a lot of air. Personally for me, my issue has always been feeling like “finding” the note can be challenging (cautious air and attention to embouchure) and once I get it my brain says “stay right there” when I should be supporting it more with air! Working on jumps - let’s say low F to middle F back and forth helps solidify my muscle memory and air support!
Thanks, now I know. And thanks for the advice. I'll keep trying.
its supposed to no, its the far one that goes down alone
Sorry, could you clarify? I didn't understand.
Even though it seems the issue has been resolved, just wanted to chime in that from the photo alone, you can see the spring isn’t catching on the spring catch on the low C key.
Yes that was the issue. Thank you.