My sister has been playing the flute for about five years, and recently has had a problem with the note b, on all octaves. When she plays it, it often sounds like a b-flat, but not always. She claims it is her flutes fault, but I doubt it. Does anyone have any idea of what the problem might be? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

It sounds like the Bb key may be sticking down sometimes. Ask another experienced flutist to try her flute or take it to a flute repair shop to get it checked. When was it last in the shop for a Clean, Oil, and Adjust (COA)?

The Bb key spring could be weak or the key shaft could be gummed-up and need to be cleaned and oiled.

On my old rubbishy flute, my Bs sounded like Bb. I noticed that the key in between the fingers for B and A was sticking down even though I wasn't pressing down any of the required keys. I showed it to my dad, and he tightened up the screw. Since then, it hasn't stuck again.