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pennsylvania_flu
tist
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Hello everyone. Yesterday I picked up my new Haynes Amadeus. I just love it. When they handed it to me they asked me if I wanted the silicone hole plugs or the new "Plug-O" type that are silver tops with rubber gaskets underneath. I opted for the silver vs. the silicone, but when I got them home all of them fit very loose except one and it's so tight I can't get it back out. Anyone else have experience with these types of plugs?
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suzie
(380 points)
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The plugs are probably slightly tight because of the o-rings on the metal plugs. Have you tried putting a little bit of cork grease or something on the o-rings? Maybe that'd help although I've never personally used them. *shrug* Good luck!
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pennsylvania_flu
tist
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That's a good idea, I never thought of that. They are all loose though except for the one that's super tight and I can't get it out to try anything like cork grease. I swear, it's so tight I'd bend the key trying to get it out. I called the place where I bought the flute and they said "that's why we don't recommend those" and I could bring it in and they'd get it out with a spring hook.
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suzie
(380 points)
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If you have a razor blade (or exacto knife) you may be able to wiggle it out by going around the circle and try wobbling the blade around. If the place isn't far from you I'd probably just head over there and have them do it. Good luck!
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Alieannie
(732 points)
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I personally like the flat little silicone plugs that don't have a top. They're very easy to remove (I poke the one I use in my g key out with a pencil when necessary), seal well, and are cheap.
<Added>
Wait, don't plug-o's need a special tool to remove them? Maybe that's why it can't come out
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Kara
(2852 points)
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Hi Amy,
Glad to hear that you like your new flute!
I have these type of plugs and they come with a plastic tool that also hold the plugs with an end on it that is used to remove them. Did the store already put the plugs in for you? They should have supplied the tool that came with it, otherwise they are a pain to get out. I also prefer the silicone plugs as you can't feel them. Good luck!
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pennsylvania_flu
tist
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Yes, the black plastic holder that the plug-o's are stored in has a little plastic bump on the end to stick under the key and pop the plug up. However, the plug that will not come out is the left hand ring finger key. Because the flute is offset the tool does not work right, I guess it's the angle? It does work to get the others out though. Thanks for letting me know about this. I'm amazed that these plugs came with the flute along with the silicone ones. The plugs are $40 and usually come with Powell flutes. I'm thinking the music store gave me them by accident.
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leighthesim
(231 points)
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i use the silicone ones in mine usually bu if you have a thin screw driver you can poke it out from the back of the key
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DWW
(15 points)
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I also like the silicone plugs. They are inexpensive so you can carry lots of spares if you need to.
I have recently switched to an open-hole flute after many many years playing a closed-hole flute. I am currently playing with all the plugs out to work out which plugs I really can't live without.
While flute shopping, I heard the statement "most players with open holes play with some or all of the holes plugged" several times. I don't know whether this is true, but I am assuming from some of the posts on this and other threads that at least some forum members with open-holes use plugs.
It would be intereseting to hear from especially the more experienced players on this forum - how many are using plugs, how many plugs, which holes cause problems and so on.
Reason I have changed to an open-hole flute? In my little far-off corner of the world it seems impossible to locate and trial a closed-hole flute of half reasonable quality.
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pennsylvania_flu
tist
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I think the use of plugs is a very interesing topic. When I was in high school I got my first open hole flute and when I went to honors band I remember everyone had open hole flutes with no plugs. As I got older I started seeing people use plugs in just a few keys, usually just third fingers. Now, almost 20 years later I play in a group with 12 flutists and only two of the twelve don't use plugs. Over the years I realized that darn it, it's just easier to play with the plugs in and I can't hear a difference with them in. I'm sure people will argue that there is a difference, but at my level, I notice none. I think when we were younger being able to play without plugs meant we were somehow "better." Now that I've matured I can see that is definitely not the case. My teacher plays on a Haynes plateau and it sounds amazing! Other friends of mine just have hands that are too darn small to reach to cover the holes, especially if they are inline.
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Alieannie
(732 points)
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Amy, I think you're right. It was almost a rite of passage to get an open hole flute in school, when really it'd doesn't mean much  I think the fascination with open holes is more an American thing. Plateau flutes are more prevalent in Europe.
I use a plug in my g key because it's an inline. I can reach it find without the plug, but I discovered my technique is faster with it in. So in it stays. I know a lot of people who plug the d key and/or the g key if they have an inline.
<Added>
What group do you play with?
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Micron
(1361 points)
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Different brands (modesl? of flute have different diameter holes.
As far as I know, the O-ring plugs are made in different diameters. It sounds as if yours were all incorrect for the flute you have. Take them back.
Even the silcon rubber plugs come in several diameters.
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Tibbiecow
(294 points)
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There are advanced technique uses for the open holes, but so many of us simply don't use them.
You can have a half-open hole for micro-tone trills, and there is a way to use the open holes for a glissando.
A lot of this is 'Extended Technique', and schools that want to teach this, and jazz flute, may require an open hole, low-B flute just for that part of the curriculum.
There are also some alternate fingerings, using a half-hole, that might improve pitch in some high notes.
You can substitute god embouchure technique to fine tune pitch, though.
I just don't see many upper level flutists that don't have one or more holes plugged. I do see some of the really good high school kids with all holes open, it may be a 'you're really good if you can' kind of thing.
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