How to Assemble and Disassemble a Flute

To assemble and disassemble a flute, you need to follow these steps:

1. Take it out and tidy it up
2. Take out the headjoint and the body
3. Align the keys and lip plate
4. Join the footjoint and body
5. Test the flute to make sure it’s working properly

The flute is surely very different and unique, as it is capable of producing various sounds. A 66 cm long tube with openings may not appear that interesting, but when you get to know what this little straight tube is capable of, you’ll be enormously amazed.

Playing the flute is a tricky task, and as a matter of fact, it is difficult than guitar or piano as you not only have to practice fingers but embouchure as well. Apart from playing, the instrument itself is also a little complicated. It’s also a lengthy process when learning how to put a flute together.

You have to assemble the flute properly before you can start amazing people. Before we get to the proper ways of assembling and disassembling, let’s first get a better understanding of the flute and its parts.

Related: How To Replace or Repad Flute Pads

What is a Flute?

A flute is a woodwind aero-phone that produces sound by vibrating the air inside the tube. It has several openings that control the flow and vibrations of the air and helps you produce a wide range of interesting sounds. The instrument is a delicate one and needs very gentle handling.

Parts of the Flute

For assembling and playing the flute it is essential to get the know-how of the parts and their working. The flute that we get is in three parts:

Headjoint

It is the upper split of your flute. It has a crown and a lip plate. It is the part of flute where you blow the air in.

Body

It is the center and also the largest part of the flute. It has a number of keys.

Footjoint

The footjoint is where the flute ends. It has a couple of keys, and the flute ends here.

How to Assemble a Flute

Now that you know the parts and their locations you can start putting them together with gentle hands. You have to be very gentle while handling the flute as little of the harsh handling can damage your flute. Here are some steps to help you learn how to put together a flute:

Take out and tidy

The very first thing you have to do is to take out the pieces from the case and clean them up. Giving a quick smart wipe to the flute parts using polishing cloth is compulsory; pay attention to clean the tips of the parts where it will join. Make sure there is no dirt on the flute. Only a clean flute is able to fit nicely and gives out a smooth and pleasant sound.

Join the headjoint and body

Hold the headjoint and body in your hands carefully from the tips and not pressing the keys. Join the part of the headjoint that is opposite to the lip plate to the bare metal part of the body. Carefully join in the twisting motion. If the instrument does not come together, then wipe it and give it another try, but do not force it as that could damage the instrument.

Align keys and Lip plate

Align the keys of the body in line with the lip plate. If you are using a beginner's flute then you might have an arrow on the joint, so align the markings on both parts. If you don’t have the markings, then carefully twist till lip plate in the headjoint is in line with keys of the body.

Join the footjoint and body

Now gently join the footjoint in a similar twisting motion and twist till the keys on the body are placed faintly to the left of the initial key of the footjoint. Make sure that both the parts are put together straight when you are joining them and not in an angle as that could damage the flute as well. Some individuals find it easy to join the two parts while gently pressing down the C# and C keys with the thumb.

Test the flute

Now that you’ve put your flute together, it’s time to try your flute and make sure the assembly is correct. If some part of the flute sounds, feels, or looks off, you should halt and make the adjustments.

How to Disassemble a Flute

Disassembling the flute requires the same amount of patience and gentleness as the assembling.

1. Carefully take away the footjoint from the body in the twisting motion as you assembled it while holding from the ends and not the keys.
2. Separate the headjoint from the body in a similar motion. Do not apply extra force, be gentle and persistent and work your way through.
3. Clean up the flute parts and carefully put all of the parts back in the case.

Important Points

• Never wash your flute with water.
• Never apply grease or oil or any other type of lubrication on the flute or its parts thinking that it will fit on easily. Doing so will damage your instrument, and it will not produce a good sound.
• Always be gentle while handling the flute. Hold it form the ends.
• Clean the flute regularly and don’t let ant dirt sit on the flute. This is a delicate instrument, and a little dirt can stick its keys or its joints. Make use of polishing cloth also known as silver cloth, which is available at the music store. Swab the moisture gently and wipe the flute each time you use it to ensure the long life of your flute.

Conclusion

Assembling and disassembling a flute is the kind of job that requires a gentle touch. Never try to apply force on it. Make sure to keep the parts tidy and you will not have to face any issues in assembling or disassembling the instrument.