THOSE HOT SLIPPERY DAYS OF SUMMER!

by Robert Brown

From February 2000 issue

Not all practice studios and concert venues have air-conditioners or overhead fans to beat those hot weather blues! Hot weather and bright lights will soon cause perspiration to appear, resulting in a slippery chin and sweaty fingers that adds yet another challenge to the art of flute playing! Here is what a number of writers have had to say about the subject.

Writing in 1752, J.J. Quantz said …in warm weather, it also may happen that he perspires about the mouth, and the flute in consequence does not remain lying securely at the proper place, but slips downwards, so that the mouth-hole is too much covered, and the tone, if not lacking altogether, is at least too weak. Quickly to remedy this last evil, let the flautist wipe his mouth and the flute clean, then touch his hair or wig and rub the fine powder clinging to his finger upon his mouth. In this way the pores are stopped, and he can continue playing without great hindrance.

Writing about the piccolo, John Krell says; In the perspiring days of summer, paste a trimmed postage stamp just below the embouchure hole to provide a purchase for the lip and to prevent the piccolo from sliding down the chin!

Roger Mather writes; At one time or another, the flute may slip on your chin or in your hands due to perspiration caused by nervousness or high temperature and humidity. Anti-slip patches applied to the flute aid appreciably in preventing the slippage. They help you overcome the temptation to clutch the flute tightly, which would reduce your dexterity, upset the pad adjustment, and cause you general (though perhaps unconscious) tension and anxiety.

Roger Mather suggests gluing anti-slip patches made from sandpaper to the flute tubing for the right thumb (100-150 grit) and the base of the left index finger (220-280 grit). He advocates gluing the sandpaper to some heavy backing paper to stop it from scratching the flute and bevelling the corners at 45° for appearance. The flute tube is cleaned first with a soft cloth dampened with methylated spirits and then water-soluble glue (such as Elmer’s) is used to attach the patch. This is so no sticky residue is left behind (such as when using sticky tape) and the patch can be removed by moistening it with water. The writer has seen some old wooden flutes with shark skin patches provided for the right thumb and left index finger. As an alternative for the right thumb, Roger Mather suggests a rubber thimble from an office supply shop or a commercial flute saddle, such as the Bo Pep (available from flute retailers).

Like John Krell, Roger Mather suggests sticking a trimmed postage stamp on the lip-plate to prevent or reduce sliding. A similar idea is to cut a removable (not permanent) sticker to shape and then attach it to the lip-plate (also useful for the right thumb and left index finger). Clear nail polish applied to the lip-plate can reduce slipping, but tends to wrinkle after a few days. It then needs to be taken off with nail polish remover and replaced as required. For the male flautist, growing a beard or leaving some stubble under the lower lip could be helpful.

Headjoint maker Sandford Drelinger writes; Aside from the fact that an engraved lip-plate looks beautiful, it does have a functional benefit. Where temperature is high, for example, on a stage under bright lights, engraving provides traction, which helps prevent slipping (caused by perspiration) of the embouchure plate on the chin.

Lip-plate engraving provides a permanent solution to the perennial problem of slippage in hot conditions and is an option provided now by most flute makers. If you would like to have your lip-plate engraved, choose a simple design and then talk to a flute maker, jeweller or trophy supplier.

Here are some other hot weather problems to be aware about! An electric fan can alter the sound of the higher notes if it is in use while you’re playing – so if you’re experiencing some problems with your tone production, try turning the fan off for a moment – it is probably the cause. You will have to decide whether or not the fan’s interfering ways are annoying you sufficiently to justify keeping it turned off. Look for overhead fans in concert venues – they can blow your music away if you stand underneath them! Don’t leave your flute inside a hot car – this will cause the pads and corks to dry out. There is also the juggling act associated with handling a hot metal flute while taking it from its case! Wooden instruments will develop cracks if exposed to excessive heat, so never leave them in the car or in direct sunlight.

A final comment – never eat cold chicken and then play the flute! You will find that cold chicken adds a whole new dimension to the meaning of the word ‘slippery’.

Sources:

J.J. Quantz. On Playing the Flute, translated by E. Reilly. Faber and Faber, London.

John Krell. The Piccolo, An Artist’s Approach. The Flute Forum, W.T. Armstrong Co.

Roger Mather. The Art of Playing the Flute, Volume III. Romney Press, Iowa City.

Sanford Drelinger’s Headjoint Q&A, No 44. Drelinger Headjoint Co., 1989.