I play a wooden keyless flute by E. Lambe.
It has a metal lining in the head with a tuning slide.
This tuning slide is very loose. I can rotate the head from the barrel with my lips when I play.
Of course the slide shouldn’t be too tight, but I think it should be a bit tighter.
Is there a non-intrusive way to do this??
I wouldn’t want to mess with the pieces that slide in in out and deform any of them.
I think someone might have greased it or something. Is that wise.
I have had the flute for a while, but only play on and off. After a break of about a year I picket it up again.
Can that have anything to do with it.
(I try and keep the fluet well oiled and I am starting te play it in by playing only bits of about 15-20 minutes.)
You can use wax to help stiffen the slide. I prefer Bee’s Wax, but paraffin will do.
Separate the slide, wipe all of the oil/lube off of the male tennon of the slide. Then rub the surface of the tennon with the wax (this is variable, rub a little wax on for a little firmer connection…rub a lot of wax on for a lot firmer connection).
If you really want the slide to fit properly, instead of greasing the slide and gunking it up (which may not work well at all), I’d recommend taking the flute to a flute repairman in your area. They fit headjoints and metal parts all the time. He may be able to expertly fix it.
Toon, some slides are made to be greased, some not: Depending on the maker’s preference the tolerances between female and male slide parts will be set for either dry fit or greased fit. Greasing a slide meant to not be greased can cause problems, so can expanding the female section of a slide that was meant to be greased. So, the advice you’ve gotten from either of the previous posts could be right…or less right
It’s typically best to attempt to contact the maker first for advice. In this http://eugenelambe.com/ his contact info is bottom right on the page.
