Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2013
15
Teach students to check cork placement and
condition from time to time—this affects not only
intonation, but also TONE!!!
Teach students to practice “PREVENTIVE
MAINTENANCE”:
• Take care not to grab keys when assembling/
disassembling flute.
• Rest flute with keys up (whether in lap, on table,
etc.) Keys down causes bent rods and adjustment
nightmares.
• Inspect flute for “fuzzy” or split pads. This is a
sign that it is past time to have those pads replaced.
(Usually it’s a sign that the other pads are soon to
follow, so a full repad may be in order.)
• Encourage students to take flute to the shop
at least once a year for a “check-up”. Leaks and
adjustment problems often happen gradually and the
student compensates by pressing harder and harder,
which develops bad technique, hand position, etc.
You’ll be AMAZED by the number of “tone,
intonation, and technical problems” that are
MIRACULOUSLY CURED when the flute is in perfect
condition!!!
NAUGHTY NO-NOS:
• Do not use Vaseline, cork grease, slide oil, or
anything like this to make joints fit together more
easily! Clean the tenons (connecting joints) with a
damp cloth until they are “sparkling” and have no
black or green residue. If there is still a problem, take
it to the repair shop. (The residue from lubricating
materials will end up on the pads and cause them to
have a shortened lifespan.)
• Rubbing the joints with pencil lead isn’t advised,
either—if the joints are clean they should work
smoothly.
• Do not use any kind of powder on pads to
prevent stickiness! This only gums up the pads and
makes things worse! If you’re desperate, use a piece
of cigarette paper (or a dollar bill if you’re really
desperate) and tap (don’t drag) to clean the pad. But
use this method as infrequently as possible since it
causes the pads to wear out faster.
Highly recommended to cure sticky pads: Pad Juice
($13 available through J.L. Smith: www.jlsmithco.com)
Flute is Not a Four Letter Word
Helen Blackburn is the newly appointed Yvonne Franklin Endowed Chair, Artist Teacher of Flute at West Texas A&M University in
Canyon, Texas. Ms. Blackburn is also principal futist with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and a core member of the nationally acclaimed
modern chamber music ensemble Voices of Change. In 2012, Helen was invited to serve as principal fute with the Dallas Chamber Symphony
for their inaugural season. Ms. Blackburn has numerous credits with major performing arts organizations—both as a featured soloist and as a
member—including the Breckenridge Music Festival (where she is currently principal fute), Aspen Music Festival, the South Bohemia Music
Festival, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, the Brevard Music Center, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra. She appears frequently in recitals across
the country and in Europe as a soloist and also with her husband, Drew Lang, in their fute/marimba duo. A prize winner of the Myrna W.
Brown Artist Competition, the Ft. Collins Young Artist Competition, and the Aspen Wind Concerto Competition, Ms. Blackburn has previously
served on the faculties of Texas Christian University, University of North Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University and McMurry University.
Ms. Blackburn received her bachelor of music degree (summa cum laude) from West Texas State University and her master of music degree
from Northwestern University. Ms. Blackburn is also the founder and director of WT’s Big, Fat Flute Shindig (an interactive workshop for
futists of all ages and levels—beginners through adult amateurs and professionals) which is held at WTAMU each June. For more info: www.
helenblackburn.com or hblackburn@wtamu.edu.