Instruments

Happy October to all! This week’s blog post compiles some great resources for trill fingerings, from the simple to the complex. Many thanks to Jen Cluff, flute teacher and blogger extraordinaire, for this list!
1. A free “how to get fast fingers” pdf by Jen, that includes an enlarged version of the Mark Thomas one page t […]

If you ever thought that flutes and piccolos were the extent of the flute family, think again! From high to low, the flute family is a very full one, though some are much more common than the others. Here is a rundown of a couple of the most popular auxiliary members of the flute family.
The alto flute is the next extension downward of th […]

Let’s get right to it–learning how to properly tune your instrument, whether you are a beginner, an intermediate player or a professional–is one of the most important things to master early on as a flute player. It may seem like a complicated process, but it all boils down to this: the longer a tube is, the lower it will […]

Hot off the presses, here is some new information about the brand NEW grenadilla wood piccolo by Lyric flutes! Lyric flutes have been known for many years as a great option with a hybrid of makers from around the world, crafted in the finest Japanese traditions with parts and technology from America, Asia, and Europe brought together for […]

These storms in the Indy area this morning got me thinking about the age-old problem that flute players must deal with: how do we keep flute pads in good condition? As you probably know, a flute overhaul and repad is the most expensive maintenance cost for our instruments, and unfortunately, at some point it is inevitable on all flutes, f […]

Last week we went over the procedures for turning your instrument if you or your student is no longer going to be playing. This week, let’s chat about what to do with your instrument if you are going to continue playing! Of course, we hope your summer plans leave you lots of time for practice, but it’s also a great time to cat […]

Recently, I’ve had some questions from customers who have recently bought a brand new flute from the IFS, only to return weeks later with some adjustment issues. This certainly has the potential to be frustrating, but with an understanding about how instruments arrive in my shop, I wanted to take a moment to clarify some expectation […]

Don’t you hate it when the pieces don’t quite fit perfectly together? In this case, I’m talking about the pieces of your flute or piccolo. The areas where the instrument fit together are called the tenons, and it is quite common to find that the headjoint or foot either becomes too loose for comfort, or requires quite a […]

I have had lots of questions recently about buying and selling used flutes, especially pertaining to what I have available at the shop. I thought I would take a few minutes to answer some of those questions. This week, the burning question: should I buy or rent a new, or a used flute?
The first thing you should know is that I do not sell […]

If you have been perusing flute options any time recently, you have probably noticed that there are SO many options! I have tried to highlight some of these in the blog, as I know that it can be totally overwhelming. One customization that has been getting more attention recently is a variety of body tubing thickness.
Sterling silver tubi […]