One of the biggest enemies of our bamboo and wood flutes is fungi. When stored for a long time, fungi can grow inside or accumulate dust, which affects the sound of the flute.
Here are some tips to keep your quena, zampoña, or pan flute in perfect condition:
Before Storing Your Flute
1. After using your wind instrument and before storing it, remove any saliva that may have remained. Using a cotton cloth, disinfect the mouthpiece with 75% medical alcohol.
2. Then apply almond oil to the inside and outside of the flute (coconut oil, olive oil, or linseed oil also work). To oil the inside, use a test tube brush with the proper diameter to fit inside the flute.
You can also make your own oiling tool using a wooden stick or reed with pieces of string tied at the end.
Long-Term Storage
3. If you have stored your flute for a long time, clean out any dust before playing. Use a clean test tube brush, then apply almond oil before use.
Treating Fungus
4. If you find fungus inside your flute, clean it with a cloth soaked in sodium hypochlorite. Let it dry completely, then apply almond oil.
General Care Tips
5. Always play your flute lightly oiled for a more beautiful, resonant sound.
6. Never oil a quena made of bone. Oiling bone may cause temporary stains that affect its natural appearance, although these marks are not permanent. For flutes that incorporate bone parts, we recommend using liquid silicone instead — it conditions and protects without discoloring the bone.
7. Avoid leaving your flute in direct sunlight for long periods. Extreme heat can dry out or crack the wood or bamboo.
8. Handle your flute with care. A small crack may be invisible but can significantly alter the sound.
9. Extreme temperatures temporarily alter the pitch of bamboo flutes. Bamboo flutes are tuned to be played at a standard room temperature.
10. If you are a beginner or find it difficult to produce sound, ask your flute maker for a thinner quena than the standard size — it requires less airflow and is easier to play.
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