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Hamlet
(4 points)
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HI !! Guys please tell me the advantages and disadvantages of using cork as keypads for the flute. Thanks
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Hamlet
(4 points)
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Im an adult beginner to flute. I can feel heaviness on some of my fingers thats why im planning to buy a flute with cork in the keys
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JButky
(530 points)
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Not exactly sure what you mean by "keypads". Cork pads are not used on flute. Are you talking about filling the open key holes with cork stoppers or having the bumpers made of cork?
Joe B
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atoriphile
(245 points)
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I have seen a piccolo that had cork pads on it. Never on a flute, though.
I don't know what the advantages or disadvantages are.
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Tibbiecow
(407 points)
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Cork can be used for the trill keys and D# key bumper. Alternatively, a neoprene material can be used. As far as I can tell, I have had no problems with either material.
I haven't heard of cork being used in place of a key pad, though.
A piccolo can be padded with cork, which mine was, and I understand that it does well in a humid environment. In our dry climete, cork isn't really necessary. I have heard that Straubinger pads are a real pain in this sort of climate, too. Felt key pads with normal 'fishskin' works very well here.
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Hamlet
(4 points)
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So its only used for the piccolo. Well I've got this idea coz I know cork are more durable or can withstand the heavier and uneven pressure of tight fingers. Because of this heaviness, usual keypads may easilly be worn out thus requiring replacement within a short time.
What maybe the reason cork are not used as pads in the flute?
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Micron
(1759 points)
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Cork pads are often used for the smaller tone holes of oboe or clarinet.
For small tone holes, and typical finger pressure, there is more pressure pressure on the pad around the sealing circle. Cork would be a bit more robust at standing up to this pressure.
However cork has a lot less 'give' in it that traditional bladder/felt pads, and must be installed very accurately, on keys with very accurate pivots, and very level tone holes.
Most flute tone hole edges present a lot more surface to the pad, so it would actually be difficult to achieve a good seal with the light finger pressure that flute players expect to use. Note that most flutes have non-level tone holes. Good installation of large cork pads is probably a nightmare.
Cork pads would also be a lot more noisy.
High quality cork pads big enough for flute would be very expensive, because the required blemish-free cork is actually quite rare.
Forget cork for flute pads! (Although one rather lone-wolf technician claims that when they are used on trill keys, they improve the sound of the flute. Hmm)
"...Well I've got this idea coz I know cork are more durable or can withstand the heavier and uneven pressure of tight fingers...."
1. Get your flute adjusted so that heavy finger pressure is not required.
2. Get out of the heavy finger habit. It puts any pad out of adjustment sooner. This sort of tension is associated with tense, unappealing playing and clumsy technique, and can cause finger/wrist problems.
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Alverindo
(15 points)
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If corks are used in piccolo as keypads, then probably an adult beginner with heavy or thight fingers(coz of older age)may play the piccolo. The effect on cork pads maybe little.
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suzie
(569 points)
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Cork pads on flutes would be WAY too loud! I, personally, find that the cork pads on piccolos are better and seem to last longer but are also loud mechanically due to the density of the cork, etc.
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Canadian
(859 points)
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I believe on oboes cork pads are only used on open holed keys.
On most beginner models, they are cork pads on the 'B' key and 'E' key. The rest of the pads are white.
But on most pro models, all pads are cork.
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