Changing the pads on your flute

Over the past 6 months, I've noticed the keys on my flutes make a sticky sound. Every time I pressed the key, I would get some extra percussive noise. I tried first to clean them. Rod Cameron suggested acetone (nail polish remover) to clean the pad, but that didn't work. I finally contacted Janet See to find out what to use as pad material. Neoprene was the answer! Neoprene can be ordered from kayak shops. Since there aren't any kayak shops in Dallas, she sent me some from her local shop.

It was quite easy to change the pad. I pulled the old pad off and used a small file (found at any hardware store) to take off the excess pad material and glue (which was minimal). I cut the neoprene to the appropriate size and applied contact cement to the key and neoprene. After it was completely dry (10-15 minutes), I pressed the neoprene onto the key. Voila, my flutes are now percussion free!

Brain Bender

Baroque Flute Brain Bender: Monteclair's IVe Concert Dessus et Basse. 

• "La Melancolique" (Bb) 
• "La Tenebreuse" (h)
• Chaconne (Bb)

Your brain will get bent switching between Bb and h (b-minor for the US contingent). Lots of embouchure action and relaxation of fingers.

Practice Journal: A break from relaxing to concentrate on tuning

 A brief respite from the Quantz Capricen finger relaxation exercises we've been doing: Number 14, Minuetto in Bb (3/4), and number 18, Capricie III in F (C).

Yes, the goal of the previous Quantz etudes is to relax the fingers and see how little they need to move and how soft they can be while playing the pieces. The two new numbers are also for relaxing but also for helping you tune certain intervals between particular notes which may or may not be cooperative under the best of circumstances. 

"If it were easy, anyone could do it." 

Practice Journal: Suggested Quantz Capricen

Number 31, in Bb, 6/8

Number 32, in c, 2/4

Number 38, in Eb, 3/4

Number 37, in Bb, 6/8

The goal is to be relaxed and hands free of tension. DO NOT think about tempo. Yet. 

This is preparation for numbers 39-41. 

kp

Official Notice

FYI: I am practicing EXCLUSIVELY in flat keys until June 15. That may or may not mean anything in terms of the workshop agenda in July (yeah, right). Just thought I'd share that bit of information.