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Finishing the student/beginner flute

 

The student/beginner flutes as we provide them on Ebay, in the schools, and our website offerings are very playable as they are. However, some players may wish to improve their instrument in both sound and appearance. This is simple to do in either case.

Finishing the sound properties:

To improve the sound of the instrument, the mass, or thickness of the wall of the lower section of the flute needs to be thinned out. This can be accomplished with a pocketknife, rough or bastard file, or best of all, a power sander. Using whatever tool you choose, thin the wall of the instrument down to approximately 1/8" thickness. Be SURE to not go through the wall of the instrument, exposing the inner chamber. The instrument will be destroyed if you do. Try to make the wall thickness as uniform as possible during this process. Once finished, use a stiff wire rounder  or round steel bottle brush to clean out the inside of the lower chamber. Any splinters or small protrusions of wood will negatively affect the quality of the sound.
Reducing the mass of the lower chamber wall will dramatically improve the sound. Essentially, the wall thickness is the only difference between the concert style instrument sound, and the student/beginner style.

Finishing the Appearance:

The flute may be simply and quickly finished by using varnish, or canned shellac to finish the flute. A drawback to this finishing process, is that the wood gains a 'funny' taste that doesn't quickly go away. However, it's an inexpensive and easy process.  Using a light oil stain from the local supermarket hardware department is another means of finishing the instrument, and will quickly create a beautiful appearance, after which varnish may be applied.

One alternative to varnish or shellac is to use a propane torch and lightly ‘burn’ the wood to create a smooth finished appearance. After the wood is burned, it may be rubbed to remove any soot, and a high quality furniture wax or polish may be dapplied. A fine oil stain might be all that is wanted as well. Beeswax, slightly warmed, is wonderful for sealing the flute, as are any number of other finishing products. I often use Formby's furniture polish on my instruments. Finish work may be elaborate, or very simple. Oiling the wood may be sufficient, or using a varnish may be a chosen finish material. Keep in mind, an increase in the mass or thickness of the lower chamber walls will result in loss of tone.

 In Review, you might finish the flute by:

  • Burning designs into it with a burning pencil/woodburning kit.

  • Burn the entire body with a propane torch, and then rub the soot into the body of the instrument.

  • Paint the body with colored paints.

  • Using a pocketknife or Dremel type tool, carve designs into the body of the instrument.

  • Stain the instrument with wood stain.

  • Oil or shellac the instrument, preserving it's natural color.

  • Rapidly rub warm beeswax into the wood, darkening it, and making it highly water resistant.

  • Tie a leather tie around the block, or at various portions of the flute body.

  • A mix of all of the above methods.

 

 

The flute is now complete! Take care of it, respect it, and be proud of the creation, both musical and functional. A light re-oiling every year or so, and taking care to clear the upper chamber of moisture after playing for a length of time are all that should be needed to maintain the instrument for many years.