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How to Assemble Your Flute

Parts of flute lying on piano.

The Parts of your Flute

Diagram of flute. Headjoint at the top, main body in the middle, foot joint at the bottom.

Your flute has 3 parts – the headjoint, the main body, and the foot joint. The headjoint contains the lip plate, which is the part you blow across to produce sound. Young players may begin with a curved headjoint, which makes it easier to hold the flute comfortably.

The Process

The main body and foot joint are lying on a mat. The head joint is being held above the mat.

1. Start by holding the head joint near the opening.

The left hand is holding the main body and the right hand is holding the head joint.

2. Carefully grip the main body of the flute, avoiding putting pressure on the keys.

The head joint is being inserted into the main body.

3. Insert the head joint by gently twisting the two parts together. Make sure the parts aren’t on an angle as you do this, as this can damage your flute. The embouchure hole in the lip plate should line up with the keys on the body of the flute.

The foot joint is being inserted into the main body.

4. Twist the foot joint and main body together and make sure the rod system on the foot joint aligns with the keys on the main body.

Close up of arrows on the main body and foot joints, which are aligned.

Your flute may even have arrows at the end of each joint, which make it easier to make sure all parts are aligned.

Vaseline with red cross next to it.

Should I be using cork grease or other lubricants to put my flute together?

No! Do not use any lubricants when putting your flute together. If it feels difficult to put any of the parts together, make sure the instrument is clean. If you still have difficulty putting your flute together, consult WindCraft Repair to avoid doing any damage to your instrument.

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