Hi all,
I went for holidays and upon coming back, I found the tuning joint to be stuck in place - like completely. Are there any established ways of loosening it up? Would heat/cold help?
Many thanks!
It may help if you put one hand around the joint and strike the other hand with it like you are clapping your hands. Not to hard and a little at a time.
Don’t use force and don’t try to twist it too hard. As the humidity in your house changes it will become easier as well.
Thank you! (and to Mr. Gumby too 
).
Hi Pyroh,
this Website could be helpful: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/immovable_slide.htm
All the best
Stefan
perhaps a bit off topic; however, what are the best ways to prevent sticking of the slide in addition to swabing out the flute following use? I tend to follow the advice of Terry McGee who suggests using cork grease, a small amount, on the slide.
One obvious preventative measure would be to make sure to not leave the slide in one position, and to move it every time you play each day. Though, I suppose that doesn’t help if it is sitting in the case and sticks while in there.
One thing I do, religiously, that I believe helps (with no actual proof): I never fully close the slide when putting the flute away; I always leave it about a mm from fully closed. This is because, early on in my relationships with flutes I used to leave it closed, and the thing stuck once and frightened me, so I’ve never left it fully closed again.
Might be on to something. I never close my slides all the way either, not for this purpose, but simply because they fit in the case without moving around if slightly open. I’ve yet to have a slide stick, though. I suppose it would provide slightly less surface area that could potentially become adhered to the surface it comes in contact with.