Cincinnati Fluteworks - Flute Stuff & Essentials

11/02/2019

I just learned of the passing of one of my favorite people, Linda Beckmeyer. Linda worked with us for some 15 years blessing us with her surprising talents, abilities, and love.

Linda will always be our shining star as an example of what can happen when you least expect it and how people blossom when given a little respect, guidance, and kindness. I met Linda’s supervisor from LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled) at dog school years ago and through the weeks she told me about Linda needing a job. I thought that we always needed extra hands at the shop and asked what Linda could do. She explained that Linda had Down Syndrome and they really didn’t know just what she was able to do. I have to admit, that startled me a little. Linda started the next week, coming with her Supervisor in tow to get her started. Possibly she could make literature packets? Linda did make literature packets for us as well as stocked literature racks, packaged accessories, packed boxes, AND did mailing mail merges on the computer every time we sent mailings. Frankly, she was the only one who could keep track and do it well! She was game to help with anything including when the shop needed a coat of paint… or a pizza party.

After her time with us ended, we made a point to have lunch (pizza) every few months and would wave and honk when I saw her at the bus stop in front of Good Samaritan Hospital where she volunteered at their pharmacy. Several months ago, I realized I hadn’t seen her in a while and eventually found her obituary on line. Her coworkers, who she all befriended, and I will always miss her sweet soul.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/linda-beckmeyer-obituary?pid=190362837

10/21/2019

Allen Norton was an honorary conductor for the Cardinal Marching Band on Saturday.

09/28/2019

09/26/2019

Flute Emergencies!
I spend a lot of time helping young kids get started with their flutes – how to put them together safely, taking care of their flute, and blowing. I love how their faces light up when they get that first sound!
Some of my responsibility is helping players get through their emergencies. Reassurances that most anything can be repaired on a flute – with an offer of coffee seem to help before I dive into the repair. But sometimes I have to be the “doctor at the other end of the phone” and help long distance. Frequently in the Fall, I get the call about the Marching Band getting caught in the rain. It is so important to do immediate “triage” work as soon as you get off the field! The steel rods in many flutes can rust solid and pads can get irreparably damaged. Here are some quick tips to use in this kind of EMERGENCY:

-DRY the flute off as much as possible immediately.
-DRY the pads very gently by using drying papers or a paper towel: insert it under a pad, press the key down a few times, but DON’T PULL THE PAPER OUT with the key depressed.
-SWAB the inside of the flute
-OIL the keys: If you have key oil, great! If not, grab some valve oil from the nearest brass player. It is thin and won’t hurt the mechanism. It is important to use just 1 drop where the keys touch posts and at each ‘seam’ of the section of keys. Wiggle the keys up and down and wipe off any excess. It helps to put a little oil on a toothpick or something similar and then apply it from the end of the toothpick (then the oil doesn’t get everywhere). WIGGLE, WIPE EXCESS. It is important not to get oil on pads, so don’t sq**rt it everywhere.
-Ideally, wrap binding, hem cloth tape, strips of cloth, or something similar around the flute to keep the keys down touching the tone holes as the pads dry. It doesn’t need to be tight. This is the best chance of the pads staying seated. If you’re not able to do this, it is very possible the pads will all need to be replaced depending on how wet they were.
-Don’t store your wet supplies or swab in your case.
-Leave the flute out of the case IN A SAFE AREA to dry.

If you need help, just call or message and I’ll be happy to walk you through it. (I’m used to it!) 513-579-8294

09/22/2019

Fall Kick Off 10% discount on all items through 10/11/19.
(Promo Code: Fallkickoff)
Free Shipping too!
We've added several new items in the last few days. Take a look! I spend a lot of time with students starting out playing and have really looked for "helpers" that will make holding - and playing easier. The Thumbport & Fingerports have become a favorite with beginners, Marching Band kids, Teachers, & even Professional Flutists.They may help you too. Thanks for looking!
https://www.flutestuffandessentials.com/

09/18/2019

Chapter 2 in the ongoing adventure of trying to update our website. For the moment, our website is down as well as the attached email. (We're using software that is becoming increasingly incompatible with our host's). We'll continue to work on it. Our apologies for the inconvenience. Please message us here or through messenger. Thanks!

08/28/2019

Yes! We are in the process of setting up our new shop! Some equipment hasn't been installed yet, but I have a bench set up and repairs going. You will love it. It's big, beautiful, clean... and no stairs! Handicapped accessible. It is quite a process but will be a big boon!

08/27/2019

Over the last few days, we've been working on updating our website...until something went wrong and it crashed. So for now, we're going to stick with Repair Prices from 2015!. The web site is back up and the email is also! Thanks for your patience.
http://fluteworks.com/repair.html

08/26/2019

We are experiencing difficulty with our web site and connected email server. They are down presently, but we're working to get them back up asap. Please contact us via Facebook Messages or phone (513) 579-8294 in the meantime. My apologies for any inconvenience.

08/23/2019

Fall Kick Off 10% Discount on All Items thru 10/11/19
(Promo Code: fallkickoff)
Free Shipping too!
We've added several new items in the last few days. I work with a lot of students just starting out playing and have been looking for "helpers" that make holding the flute - and playing easier. The Thumbports and Fingerports have become popular with Beginners, Marching Band kids, Teachers, & Professional Flutists. They may help you too! Take a look. Thanks!
Click on this link:
https://www.flutestuffandessentials.com/

08/06/2019

Elementary, my dear Watson!

Sometimes, my job is playing sleuth. This helps in diagnosing mechanism and pad problems but sometimes it takes me down other “mysterious dark alleys”. A teacher who sent her flute in religiously for an Annual Maintenance always complained about scratches reappearing after I had burnished them away during the maintenance. P.S.Scratches don’t reappear. After checking her case to make sure there was nothing stuck to the velvet, we had several phone conversations talking through her routines to see what could be scratching it. She realized that they would “reappear” after gigs… not every gig though. We talked about the venues, her flute stand, etc. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. We didn’t have a clue. We were friends on Facebook, so I looked through her pics to see if I could notice anything amiss. Everything looked fine and her dresses were beautiful. Her DRESSES. One had a beautifully embroidered appliqué on the front. . . with a little sparkle in it. I grabbed the phone. Sure enough, the embroidery had a couple of tiny sequins. Every time she would lay her flute on her lap, the sequins would scratch her flute! Elementary, Watson!

Look out for:
-Front and sleeve buttons on suit jackets.
-Decorations on band uniforms
-Rings. Never grab your headjoint around the lip plate. One ring scratch there can really effect your tone. Take off rings if you can.
-Any decorations of the front of dresses. It’s ok to lay your polishing cloth across your lap to avoid scratching your flute. You can get a black one for gigs.

I hope this helps!

08/05/2019

At the end of the last evening of the annual National Flute Association Convention, the entire audience plays the Bach Air in G. It always gives me goosebumps. Take a listen and see how many famous faces you can see! The E mag, The Flute View recorded and posted this yesterday. If you're unfamiliar with them, go to their page and take a look. Great interviews and tips!