I`ve been playing for a short time and I keep getting contradictory answers to this question. when not travelling to gigs and such, is there any reason why I can`t store my flute on its stand rather than putting it back in the case? I made a dust cover for it from the leg of a pair of petite womens` polyester slacks.

Thanks.

If this is your only flute, you should swab and put it back in its case after every session, especially with a anti-tarnish pad if your instrument is silver. I do try to do this after every practice session. I recommend this if you have only one flute, as it would be awhile if you had to send your instrument to be repaired because it got knocked over. I have the luxury of still having my first flute "Pawnshop Artly", and I leave it out as my "kitchen" flute, so I can pick it up anytime. This comes from Ian Anderson, who has a flute to practice on in his kitchen.

I always clean it out after playing it and it`s not sitting anywhere where it could get knocked over. In a private little corner on thick carpet.

Still, I DO like the "kitchen flute" idea. I may pick up a "cheapy" for that purpose.

No reason whatsoever, providing it is safe (mainly from dogs and kids) and protected from dust.

If the flute is left assembled when the tenon joints are still damp, then there is a greater chance of corrosion on the tenon and inside it`s `receiver`.

This is much more likely if the flute has more copper content, such as most (all?) student flutes made in America, as opposed to the Japanese-made student flutes, and most of the other Asian brands.

It is also more likely if the tenon is not a very good fit.

If these surfaces tarnish, the flute may become more difficult to assemble. Sometimes, especially when the surfaces are silver, a good wipe, say with alcohol or lighter fluid will clean them again, but especially for that higher copper alloy, a brass cleaner may be needed.

If you use a brass cleaner, make sure it is completely rubbed and cleaned off before assembling the flute, because any remaining abrasive or chemical can cause problems.

If you use brass cleaner, try not to rub it too much on any silver plated surface near the tenon, because brass cleaner is rather aggressive for silver.

If the tenons and sockets are dried after use, then you probably won`t have any of these problems.

I guess you want to leave the flute visible so that your eyes get hungry to play it, and you therefore practise more often. I fully understand.