Technician Tales: Common Flute Faults And How to Prevent Them

17th June 2025

The flute may look sleek and simple, but it’s a delicate and complex instrument, and even small missteps in handling can lead to frustrating and expensive damage. We spoke to Head Technician, Abi Taylor about the most common flute faults they see come into the workshop, and advice on how to prevent them.

1. Tenon Damage from Improper Assembly

The tenons – the parts of the flute where the joints connect – are frequently damaged by careless assembly. If you rush, twist at an angle, or apply pressure unevenly, you risk bending or misshaping them. Always ensure that the joints are aligned precisely parallel before gently fitting them together. Take your time – the tenons are not designed to be forced.

2. Bent Keys from Forcing Assembly

A bent key is often a sign that something else has already gone wrong – usually with the tenons. When the joints don’t fit smoothly and you try to “make it work” by squeezing the flute or forcing it together, you’re likely to bend the delicate pinned key mechanisms. These are precision parts, and even slight misalignments can affect playability. Never squeeze the flute into place – if it’s not going together easily, stop and inspect.

3. Head Crown Fiddling

The ‘crown’ at the closed end of the head-joint is a threaded part, which is designed to move the headcork further in or out of the head-joint, influencing the tuning. Many players, unaware of its purpose, develop a habit of idly twisting it in and out. Over time, this shifts the headcork far from its optimal position, leading to poor intonation and frustration. If you’re not sure where the crown should be, ask your technician – and resist the urge to “twiddle.”

4. Springs Popped Out During Cleaning

It’s great to keep your flute clean – but it must be done carefully. One of the saddest things repairers see is a flute brought in with floppy keys caused by a spring that’s been accidentally dislodged. This usually happens when someone vigorously wipes down their flute and catches a needle spring with the cloth. Clean mindfully and gently, and avoid dragging cloths across the keywork.

5. Scratches from Rings and Jewellery

You may not notice it while playing, but rings and bracelets can do real damage to your flute’s surface. Scratches in solid silver may be polished out, but plated flutes are harder – and more expensive – to restore. The safest option? Remove your jewellery before you play. It protects your flute and your technique.

6. The Bent G# Key – Small Key, Big Problem

The G# key is unique: it extends horizontally across the flute, rather than following the body’s line. This makes it especially vulnerable to being bent – and the damage can be surprisingly invisible. A bent G# key will affect the action on the opposite side of the instrument, making the flute unplayable below G. It’s a quick fix for a technician, but easy to avoid: be careful when taking the flute in and out of the case, and avoid lifting it by the keywork.

7. Leaving the Flute on a Chair

This one’s a heartbreaker. Setting your flute down on a chair during rehearsal – even for just a moment – is one of the riskiest things you can do. Many flutes come into workshops after being knocked off a chair or sat on accidentally, often with banana-shaped consequences. If you need to step away, use a proper flute stand or place it securely on a flat surface. Better still, disassemble it and return it to the safety of its case. And before you walk away, count to three while watching it – it’s a simple habit that can save your flute.

Final Thoughts

Your flute is a finely tuned, handcrafted instrument. Treating it with care and respect not only preserves its condition, but also ensures it sounds and feels its best. A little mindfulness goes a long way – and might just save you a trip to the workshop.

Save The Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts!

The Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts has stood for decades as a beacon of excellence in instrument making and repair. It has trained generations of skilled technicians—including many at Dawkes Music—who honed their craft and built their careers through the school’s exceptional programs.

Now, this vital institution is at risk. We urgently need your support to protect its legacy and ensure the future of high-quality instrument craftsmanship in the UK.

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