Flute care and playing instructions
Essential Flute Care for Optimal Performance
Proper care is crucial to maintaining the quality and longevity of your AMA Flute. Regular maintenance not only enhances your musical experience but also preserves the flute’s sound and aesthetics.
Key Care Tips:
- Drying After Use and Proper Storage: Flutes get very wet, so it’s crucial to dry your flute after each use. Always remove the block / totem from the flute when you’re done playing. Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the air channel. Gently shake the flute with the mouthpiece pointed toward the ground to help drain any excess water from the slow air chamber. After drying, store the flute vertically to ensure proper air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Regular Attention: Regular playing means regular care, particularly for the surface and the inner side of the sound chamber.
Mouthpiece Maintenance: The mouthpiece, being frequently exposed to moisture, requires special attention. Use the tung oil provided with your flute for this purpose. If you notice any roughness, apply the oil with your fingers and let it dry overnight.
Biannual Care Routine: Every six months, treat the bore with refined sunflower oil. Apply tung oil to the track and the bottom of the block. This routine helps to maintain the flute’s sound quality and condition.
Detailed Guidance: For comprehensive instructions on flute care, we invite you to watch our in-depth tutorial available on our YouTube channel @amaflutes.
Ensuring Flute Longevity: Proper maintenance will ensure that your flute continues to produce the best sound and performance for years to come. Regular care is not just about upkeep; it’s about enriching your musical journey with a well-preserved instrument.
Mission statement
We bring high-quality and aesthetic flutes into the world. It is important to us to offer a tool for the deep and soulful expression of the spirit. That’s why we keep our flutes available at an affordable price to enable as many people as possible to have an intuitive and meditative music experience.
Playing Your AMA Flute: An Intuitive and Joyful Experience
Welcome to the world of seamless music-making with your AMA Flute. Our flutes are tuned to a pentatonic scale, making the playing experience both intuitive and straightforward, even for beginners.
Getting Started:
Understanding the Scale: The pentatonic scale simplifies learning. For a comprehensive guide on all the notes and combinations, check out the fingering charts provided below.
Inspiration and Techniques: For a more in-depth understanding, we highly recommend watching the ‘How to Play’ video by Kalani Music, available at the bottom of this page. Also, follow our Instagram page for regular tips and tricks on flute playing.
Maintaining a Clear Tone:
Managing Moisture: Post-playing, it’s crucial to address the moisture that accumulates in the track and air chamber. This moisture can lead to ‘moisture clog’, especially after playing for more than 10-15 minutes, affecting the strength of your tone and requiring more air for playing.
Simple Clearing Technique: To prevent this, cover the hole in front of the block and blow strongly into the mouthpiece. This action helps expel moisture from the track, ensuring your tone remains robust.
Additional Cleaning: If moisture persists, remove the block and gently dry the track with a cloth.
Enjoy Your Musical Journey: Playing the AMA Flute is not just about making music; it’s about exploring your creativity and enjoying every note. With these simple guidelines, you’re well on your way to mastering your flute and discovering the joys of music.
Remember, regular practice and care are the keys to enhancing your playing skills and ensuring your flute’s longevity. Happy playing!
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
~ Kahlil Gibran~
Troubleshooting: Ensuring Optimal Sound from Your AMA Flute
Occasionally, you might encounter issues with the sound quality of your flute. If you find that the sound is airy, or if the flute is not producing sound at all, a simple adjustment is often all that’s needed.
Quick Fix for Sound Issues:
Check the Block Alignment: The positioning of the block is crucial for sound production. Ensure that the front edge of your block aligns precisely with the edge of the track. For a visual guide, refer to the accompanying picture.
Correct Positioning: A misaligned block can disrupt the airflow, leading to a weak or airy sound. Adjusting the block to match the track edge can often resolve these sound issues.
By ensuring this alignment, you’ll restore the clear, resonant voice of your AMA Flute, allowing you to continue your musical exploration without interruption.
Remember, sometimes the simplest solutions can have the most significant impact on your flute’s performance. Keep playing and enjoy the music!
Proper Storage for Your AMA Flute: Preserving Its Beauty and Functionality
To maintain the integrity and quality of your AMA Flute, proper storage is key. When not in use, a little attention to how and where you store your flute can go a long way in preserving its condition and playability.
Optimal Storage Practices:
Vertical Storage: Store your flute vertically. This position allows the moisture from your breath to distribute evenly and exit the instrument through gravity, preventing moisture accumulation.
Ideal Environment: Keep your flute in a cool, dry place. Avoid areas with direct sunlight or exposure to heat and humidity, as these conditions can affect the wood and finish of your flute.
Temperature Considerations: Be cautious about leaving your flute in a hot vehicle, especially on warm days. Temperatures can easily exceed 60° Celsius (150° Fahrenheit), potentially causing the glue in the flute to weaken or separate, leading to air leakage and affecting the flute’s sound quality.
By following these simple storage tips, you can ensure that your AMA Flute remains in the best possible condition, ready to produce beautiful music whenever you are.
Taking good care of your flute means it will continue to reward you with its harmonious sounds for many years to come. Enjoy your musical journey!