Why is my flute tarnish

Skip to content Search for:. Tarnishing is purely cosmetic and does not affect the sound, but it can easily be removed with a silver polishing cloth Silver-plated flutes are the norm for student to intermediate level instruments. What can cause tarnishing? There are other things that speed up the process: Acid in fingerprints.

Some people have more than others which is why some people can turn a flute black almost by looking at it! As with most chemical reactions think back to your school chemistry lessons spent with a bunsen burner , heat speeds up the process, so the tarnishing process is often faster in summer.

Author ianj. Related Posts. Chaminade Concertino - Practice Tips. One of the most common questions that individuals have regarding flute tarnish is whether or not you need to remove the tarnish immediately. Fortunately, flute tarnish truly is not something that will impede upon your ability to play your flute or the sound that your flute makes. However, if the tarnish is paired with corrosion or rust, you could very well end up with holes in your flute that will render the flute useless over time.

This is one of the main reasons that people simply clean the tarnish from their flute regularly will notice any kinds of serious damage before they become irreparable. If it is corroded, you may have a problem. It is more likely that corrosion in the key mechanisms would impede your playing. Essentially, the main reason that individuals clean their tarnished flutes and remove the tarnish is less about it damaging the flute and more about the appearance of said flute as well as the fact that tarnish buildup is more difficult to clean than simply keeping up with it regularly.

Another big question that people have regarding flute tarnish is whether or not a different metal would respond differently and perhaps even better. Although this in theory is a good concept, the truth is that even gold plated silver flutes do tarnish if not cared for properly.

These instruments will still have the luster of the precious metal but will be less maintenance. However, no matter what flute material you choose, you will still want to use cleaning supplies frequently to keep your flute in good condition, pay attention to sulfur in the air, and use charcoal strips to avoid tarnish altogether. In the end, caring for and playing your flute both stem from the same passion. All it takes is a bit of time, focus, and understanding exactly how to keep your flute tarnish-free to extend the life of your flute and keep the silver appearance present for years to come.

An ardant fan of acoustic music, I played the clarinet in high school band and even competed in Disneyland. As the son of a music teacher, I know firsthand the importance of keeping instruments clean and maintained. Post by LAflutes » Wed Jul 06, am. Privacy Terms. Quick links. Is tarnish a problem? However, the keys on the instrument are severely tarnished; pretty much anywhere the fingers touch is black.

I have two questions: 1. Can tarnish affect the sound of an instrument? Is the tarnish going to be a problem down the line, and if so would a repair person be able to remove it?