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Have you always wanted a flute since you were a small child? Maybe you watched skilled artisans playing flutes at a Pow Wow, or you were brought up listening to the soothing sounds of a flute as a child. Has the day finally come that you can buy your first Native American flute? You probably want to get started playing it and learning how to care for it right away. Let’s find out how to successfully take care of your new flute! There are a few steps that you will need to take before you even begin playing your flute. A new Native American flute can be damaged if it is played in the new dry state when you first purchase it. To avoid any permanent damage to a flute, you should be mindful of temperature and humidity, which can damage natural materials. Keep in mind that new flutes should be played gradually during a break-in period. Before each assembly, you should grease the thread wrappings on the tenons. If the joints feel too tight, you should not force them, because this may crack the sockets. During the break-in period of a new flute, give the moisture content a slow gradual buildup. The best way to accomplish this is by playing it for about ten minutes a day three times a day. Pursue this for equal amounts of time spread out through each day for a ten-day period. You can keep the flute in a carrying case inside a plastic bag for up to one to two weeks for storage purposes. To keep a Native American flute at its best, it should be played daily. You should perform regular maintenance on your flute after every playing session. Moisture is introduced as you play it and needs to be dried out before it can be stored. Excess water should be removed from the slow air chamber by gently shaking it with the mouthpiece pointed at the ground. After playing, the totem should be removed and the air channel cleaned with a dry cloth. Simply apply a clean moist cloth to the outside of the flute to remove any dirt and oil. Then polish it up with a dry cloth. Woodwind stores supply swabs for these types of instruments. Swab out the inside and allow two to three hours for the interior to dry. Re-attach the totem. It is important that the flute is dried out sufficiently before storing. You should develop a habit of storing the flute in a case, placing the case in a plastic bag alongside a damp cloth, and closing the plastic bag. Some excellent tips for keeping your Native American flute safe and in great working condition include never placing it on any type of a heat source, such as a heater. The wood will become dry if over exposed to direct heat. Leaving a flute lying around the house may be asking for an accident. Direct sunlight is another source of trouble; leaving your flute next to a window that later becomes exposed to direct sunlight may dry it out. Dust, sand, and dirt are bad elements for flutes and should be avoided. Use precautions if taking it to the beach. Flutes are best handled with no exposure to oils from your hands such as body lotion, hand creams, and suntan lotions, because these may also affect the wood. Listen to the flute makers who will give you expert advice. Most flute makers agree not to apply any type of wax, varnish, or polish to your Native American flute. Now that you understand the best way to maintain your new flute, you can sit down and play some great music.
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