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WATERING OUT
After you have played your flute for awhile, you may find
that the flute “waters out.” This means that you have water in the first
chamber and under the bird. Many factors affect how quickly a flute waters
out: Whether or not the flute is made of a soft or hard wood (hard woods water
out faster); when you last ate or drank something (the closer to playing the
flute, the faster it will water out); and the difference between your body
temperature (98.6 degrees) and the ambient, or environmental, temperature (the
greater the difference, the faster the flute will water out). This is much more
of a concern in colder climates than warmer, desert climates, where flutes are
also likely to crack, as well as water out quickly, when played outdoors in
colder temperatures. Please remember that in colder temperatures, your flute
will sound flatter; while in very warm temperatures, your flute will sound
sharper. This will change throughout the year, as the temperature changes.
Also, when hot air (from your body) meets cold air (environment), this creates
condensation. This is a different issue than saliva in the first chamber. One
way to prolong the amount of time you can play your flute before it eventually
waters out is to do what we call “hatching” your flute. Place the first chamber
snugly up under your armpit. You MUST do this with clothing on, as the acids
and oils from your bare skin will eat the finish off of the flute. You also
wouldn’t want to put the mouthpiece in your mouth after having it under your
bare arm! Leave the flute in this position for approximately 2 minutes, or
until the first chamber has sufficiently warmed up. By doing this, you will not
prevent the flute from ultimately watering out; however, you will extend your
playing time before it does water out. You are also less likely to crack the
flute.
If
you find that you are in the middle of playing, and your flute begins to sound
strange, it has probably watered out. There are two things you must then
do: Blow the flute out, and shake it out. To clear the moisture out
from under the bird, place your finger up to the window, but not over it, and
blow as hard as you can. You should not hear a sound. This will
clear the water out from under the bird. Next, make a fist around the
flute, with the mouthpiece up, just below the window and BE SURE TO HOLD THE
FLUTE TIES HOLDING YOUR BIRD DOWN IN YOUR FIST. Holding the flute ties
down while you shake out the flute prevents the bird from flying off and
breaking. Step away from people, furniture, windows, pets, and artwork,
and quickly and firmly whip the mouthpiece downward. A small amount of
moisture will be flicked out of the flute. This clears the first chamber.
Depending on just how watered out the flute is, you may be able to play for a
bit longer.
You should blow your flute out and shake it out every time
you are finished playing. Next, set the flute at a slight angle, with the
mouthpiece pointing downward, on the couch, or other safe place where it can
rest undisturbed. Some flute stands are made to hold the flute with the
mouthpiece pointing down. If your flute is split along the sides, the bird
should be pointing straight up. This keeps moisture off of the glue line. If
your flute is split across the top and bottom, as in a Stellar Flute, you will
want to point the bird sideways, again to keep moisture off of the glue line.*
Some flutes are not split, but bored, so keeping water away from the glue line
is not an issue. If your flute is really watered out, get in the habit of
taking off the bird and letting both the bird and the flute air out overnight.
When you are ready to play again the next day, simply tie the bird back onto the
flute. Your bird should be positioned just a “hair” behind (not over)
the window. Each flute has a “sweet spot” where the position of the bird sounds
best.
*Note from Stellar: There is no danger of water harming the
glue line on our flutes. The glue line is protected by coats of sealant.
Something Hawk Littlejohn, a fourth generation Cherokee
flutemaker (now deceased) taught me: If you very lightly wax your bridge and
the bottom of your bird, it will not prevent the flute from watering out, but
will allow the moisture to bead up and be easily blown out. This also keeps
your bridge from warping. You can purchase what is called a “Renewed Flute
Spirit Flute Conditioning Kit, by Laughing Mallard” from The Oregon Flute Store
(see, Links at www.cascadiaflutecircle.org), quite inexpensively, which
should last you the life of your flute. As the finger holes become soiled,
etc., you can also make your flute look as good as new. Everything you need,
including a wonderful beeswax and lemon oil from Germany, is included in the
kit, along with complete instructions.
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