Can I leave the instrument in one piece?
Yes you can, but I advise against it. There is a high likelihood that the sections you leave joined will “freeze.” Proper maintenance of your tenons will help you avoid this situation. If you take it apart, it will never happen.

Is there a breaking-in process?
Yes. Although, I work exclusively with air dried, seasoned wood, it still is wood. In my experience with the type of instruments that I build, you shouldn’t have to be overly cautious about playing the new instrument. I would be most cautious playing a new instrument that you receive during cold weather periods. Getting an instrument “too hot” after it has been shipped through cold climates could lead to problems. My recommendation is that upon receiving your new instrument, wait until it is no longer cold to the touch. Then oil it, let the oil soak in for a half hour or more, and then start to play it. You should notice a steady improvement in tone and a gradual darkening of the wood over the first six to eight months.

Shake or swab?
After playing your instrument, there is going to be condensation inside the bore. I suggest swabbing or shaking this water out of your instrument. Blowing through the bore and tapping the end of the instrument on a cloth or napkin is sufficient. If you have a keyed instrument, venting the keys to remove any excess water is also a good idea. Using a swab or “pull-through” type of cleaner is clearly a more efficient method.

Should I oil?
A controversial issue. Some people I know oil their instruments on an almost daily basis, while others never do. I see about the same rate of cracks in either case. I feel that if you frequently use your instrument (played 3-5 days per week), then oiling is not necessary. Your instrument will always play better after being oiled because the oil greatly reduces air flow resistance inside the bore. It can also help to temporarily close small internal cracks or ill fitting pads. I think that this is a personal preference issue, by and large. I recommend using processed light almond oil (not raw) for both internal and external use.

Do I need a case?
You have just invested anywhere from $200 to $4,000 on your new instrument. Do YOU think you need a case?

How should I store my instrument?
In a case and well maintained. This is pretty much a common sense issue. Don’t leave it in your car in the summer with the windows closed. Don’t forget it in the trunk of your car during a blizzard, etc., etc.

Can I polish the metal?
Yes you can. All of the metal is sterling silver, so a touch of silver polish will do the trick. If your tenons are a little sticky, you can also put polish on those. If you get some polish on the wood, a little bit of oil will clean it off.

How do I clean the tenon?
As previously mentioned, a bit of silver polish on the tenons will help to remove any residual build-up.

What is residue removal?
Six hundred grit sandpaper is very, very fine sandpaper. If the wood on your instrument feels a little rough, sand this area lengthwise down the instrument. Then turn the sandpaper over and buff with the smooth side of the paper. Also, it is very important to keep the inside of the embouchure hole clean. The best time to do this is as soon as you stop playing. The easiest time to remove embouchure residue is before it has dried. I suggest using a napkin or if you are at home, warm water, and Q-Tips. DO NOT try to scrape it off with knives or files. You can SEVERELY damage your instrument this way.

I hope this answers some of the more basic questions. Please feel free to contact me at skip@skiphealy.com with any other questions you may have concerning your Healy Flute Company instruments.