Closed Hole Keys - Part II

In last week's post, we addressed one of the questions a customer with closed hole keys had about changing over to open hole keys.  As you'll recall, this was not something that our repair technician recommended, since an entirely new mechanism would have to be built and retrofitted to the body.

The next two questions the customer had involved the flute's scale.  Specifically, he asked the following, (1) Does a flute with closed hole keys have a different scale than one with open hole keys? (2) Does a flute with an offset G have a different scale than a flute with an inline G?  The answer to both of the questions is the same -- no difference.  The scale is the same whether the flute has closed hole or open hole keys, and the scale is also the same for flutes with an offset or inline G.  Why is this?  Well, it's actually quite simple.  The scale is determined by the relative distance between tone holes.  You might remember this from a previous post on the Flute Builder blog, which you can read by following this link.  So, the type of key (closed or open hole) would have no affect on scale.  Also, even though the position of the G tone holes on an offset G flute are different from the position of the tone holes on one with an inline G, the relative distance allows for both configurations to have the same scale.

The Blue Tape

We often times post photos of flutes in production or in the repair shop that appear to be blue, and we are asked, "what's the blue tape?"  Well, in actuality, it is a blue protective film that comes on a roll, much like a roll of tape.  However, it is not sticky -- it adheres to the metal like a static decal would to a piece of glass like a window.  The purpose of the blue film is to protect the metal from getting scratched or otherwise damaged during the finishing process or during repair.

When we see flutes in the finishing department, the protective film is on the entire flute body, footjoint, and keys.  We stopped in to the repair shop this week and spotted our technician, Rachel Baker, cutting a piece from the roll as she prepared to start on a flute that was in for an overhaul.  Rachel cut a piece and applied it to the back of the body, because she said that this particular area is what will come in contact with the repair mat -- so the protective film will help prevent scratches as Rachel works on the flute.  In the case of the film being used on the entire body and keys, pieces are cut from the roll, and then these pieces are cut again to the appropriate size and shape to fit the body and keys.  After a flute leaves the finishing department or the repair shop, the blue film is removed, and the well-protected metal is revealed! 

So, the next time you see what appears to be a "blue flute," do not fear -- it is merely a type of film covering the flute to protect it.  The film itself does not harm the flute in any way or leave any type of coloring.

Taking a piece of blue film from the roll.

Getting ready to cut it to length.

Cutting the piece.

Applying the piece to the back of the flute body.

Smoothing the piece down.

Done!