I am sure that how often the flute is played partially determines leakage as well as the quality of craft, but is there some general guideline on this matter? And what are the signs of leakage?
It’s as you say. Quality and playing determine this. It’s like asking when can you expect your car’s head gasket to leak. No one knows.
The main way you can tell that you have a leak is that it’s not playing at all well, usually below the key that’s got the leak. Sometimes all you have to do is press down on the pad seat for a temporary fix.
To check for air leakage you can try holding all the pads down with rubber bands. If you can blow a stronger low D this way, there is probably a leak somewhere. Don’t leave the bands on for too long since they can leave marks. If it is a newish flute and block-mounted, one of the keys may be binding because of swelling of the wood, so check them all for smooth operation.
Another diagnostic is to play with the keys banded one at a time. If one in particular makes a difference, that is your culprit. You can also take the keys off and look at the impressions of the hole edge on the pads. They should be an even, unbroken circle. A gap indicates that the pad is not closing evenly.
Dave Copley
Loveland, Ohio
Cut cigarette paper into a 1/8th inch wide strip, and use it as a feeler guage.
Check around the key pad/hole with normal finger pressure closing the key. There should be some resistance at all positions around the pad/key hole. If the feeler guage meets no resistance, there is a leak.
Bill
A piece of cassette tape attached to a lolipop stick makes a good feeler, too. I learned this from a repair person.
A bit of bluetak over the questionable hole should give a clue !
you can use the cigarette paper to clean the pads as well, I use them to clean my saxophone pads. Insert ibetween the depressed key and hole, push down the key gently and pull out the cigarette paper…
My answer to the original question: properly installed and seated pads of either glove leather or fishskin can last for years and years.
The last time I repadded my Gemeinhardt (using felt and fishskin pads) the pads I replaced were going on 18 years old. They still sealed fine; they were simply starting to smell bad.
My antique 8-key has pads that are around 8 years old and still going strong. The pads on my 6-key M&E are about 6 or 7 years old and also still fine.
The best thing you can do for your pads is to always remove any moisture before putting your flute away. I find the easiest and safest way is simply to open the key and blow forcefully over the pad to dry it. Also dry the bore thoroughly after every playing, and be careful to never get oil on the pads or the pad seats.
–James
My experience has been that the darn things will start to leak as soon as you throw them into the water, flutes really do make terrible boats, despite the fact they are made from Timber. Damn shame really.
Loren