The foot joint of the flute is composed of three keys on a C flute and 4 keys if there’s a low B on the foot.

The keys are made in such a fashion as to be pushed in different mixes by the baby finger. One of the weakest points on the flute is where the foot joint joins the body. This is named the lower tenon and can be damaged easily. The foot joint can become loose and cause air seepage and loss of sound or become too tight and be extraordinarily tough to remove or put on. This can end up in many problems.

The truth is the foot joint is long, virtually six inches in a few cases, and the tenon that supports its weight is only half an in long. Supporting that much weight and length as well as being continually put under the pressure of the keys being pushed down can have a tendency to take its toll if not maintained. Like the body of the flute, the foot joint keys, springs and pads need to be maintained.

Replacing, leveling, and seating all need to be done so as to have the keys seal correctly and so permit the lower notes to play. About all the keys of the flute work with a few other keys. This suggests that when you press down on one key it could also cause one or two other keys to be pressed down at the very same time. These keys need to be controlled so that when it is necessary that several keys close simultaneously, it’s got to be the same time or else you will have loss of sound and the flute will not play. Controlling the keys in order that they work in this style is the most urgent repairing of the instrument. It needs a fragile balance of bending and leveling the keys as well as seating the pads better and adjusting spring tensions. The last result of all this should be a flute that’s solid feeling, with no rattles or disproportionate key noise. No sticky pads or loose feeling keys.

When you press the keys it should be really light pressure with a gigantic sound and least effort. The last thing that you need when you’re playing a flute or any instrument actually, is to be fighting with the physicalness of it rather than just enjoying the inventive and creative nature of it. To sum it up, you have to have respect for the instrument you are playing and give it the notice it requires. Care and upkeep mean that it’ll always perform the way in which it is structured to play and you’ll enjoy your talent uninterrupted by physical bugs.