CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IRISH FIPPLE FLUTE
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY FLUTE:
The Irish Fipple Flute is a professional flute, designed for serious play and far superior to the one you will likely get from street vendors.
OILING THE FLUTE:
Oiling the bore (the inside) and outside will keep it in good condition. I suggest that you rub the flute with a light coat of oil to stabilize the wood and protect the bore from saliva damage. Let it sit for a while and then, wipe it off with a dry cloth. Any bore oil sold by your music store will be fine. Oil it several times in the first week or two, then once every four to six weeks depending on many factors including, for example, relative humidity, hours of use per week, and the amount of the player's saliva. Oiling a newly made flute can improve it’s tone. Your flute will probably sound a bit different after you oil it but, will quickly regain it’s normal tone. I recommend using Naylor Organic Bore Oil, which is used before the flutes are packaged.
SWABBING THE FLUTE:
Swabbing the excess moisture from the Quena after each playing is the most important habit to develop. It is also recommended that you clean the “Bore” and that the inside of the Quena flute be kept relatively dry during periods of storage.
KEEPING THE FIPPLE CLEAN
It is important to keep the mouthpiece and end ferrel clean and shinny by occasionally rubbing it gently with a clean, soft cloth… metal polish can be used sparingly if needed. A cut strip from a business card can be used to clean out the wind way.
BREAKING-IN YOUR FLUTE
There is no need to “break in” the whistle… nor is there any reason to limit playing time. The principle behind breaking in a woodwind instrument is that some moisture condenses inside the flue. Some of the moisture get through the oil and swells the inside of the flute. When you are done playing, dry the bore out with a cleaning swab.
BEFORE PLAYING YOUR FLUTE
Before playing your flute blow several times into the flute to warm the flute, this allows the fuute to warm up to room temperature before playing. As the flute becomes warmer, the sound will become sharper in pitch. Playing the cute is one of the best ways to maintain the wood flute.
THANK YOU FOR BUYING THIS IRISH FIPPLE FLUTE
I firmly believe that your Irish Fipple Flue will be a lifelong gift as long as you observe the maintenance tips.
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