Our flutes are complicated, fragile, and expensive. For February, here are some flute care reminders that we should all keep in mind.

♪ When assembling the flute, do not grip the flute by the keys. The keys are very fragile and can be bent. Instead, hold the flute by the neck above the keys. Gently twist the pieces together.

♪ Brush your teeth before you play your flute. Any eating, drinking, or chewing gum will cause sugars to build up in the pads. This will make the pads sticky and cause them to tear.

♪ Be careful where you put your flute. Flutes should not be left on chairs, on the floor or on the music stand. I have many times see flutes that have been sat on or stepped on. This can be very expensive to fix if it can be fixed at all. Flutes left on music stands are just asking for trouble.

♪ Please do not swing your flute around while you are holding it. Dropping or hitting the flute can cause dents, bent keys, and other problems. Hold the flute by the neck about the keys, not by the headjoint in case the body is loose.

♪ Make sure that you clean you flute out every time you play. A build up of spit and condensation inside will damage the pads. It is also much healthier to clean out the spit and avoid a build-up of germs. Wipe off fingerprints or dirt with a soft cloth.

If you take the time to take care of your flute you can save money on flute maintenance and also the aggravation or need flute repair. Please be careful with your valuable instrument.