It could be the 4th. It's really impossible to say from here. Generally it takes at least a few months of VERY heavy playing (4 hours+ a day in my case) for anything like this to even BEGIN to show, and at that stage, it's nothing as drastic as what you described. A tech should be able to put things right, though.

Then probably the first one. I tend to use a lot of spit when I play.

...Maybe a mix of the two.

Well thanks a lot for helping. I'll take it to a tech to get it fixed

No problemo. Good luck!

mine used to do that and i think it might be that the screw on the 4th finger key and/or the 5th finger key might be loose, try tightening them. my friend would do that to my flute and then i could play those notes just fine.

Careful with that advice, tigerskyej. Overtightening screws can lead to binding and other problems. If that is the issue, a tech will catch it, and it's an easy fix, so it should require little time or expense. Unless you know what you're doing, it's best to leave repair and maintainance to those that do, with the possible exception of absolute emergencies.

Flutist06 has some EXCELLENT advice.

If you want a really good explanation of the leaks and some other flute problems, take a look at this page from Nancy Shinn: http://flutestar.com/ArticlesStories.html

In my opinion, too many flutists have NO idea how their flute works- and thus what sort of problem they may have when they do have trouble. This forum can have great advice- although it is usually 'take it to a repair tech'- because that is usually what you should do. Trying to fix problems yourself can lead to a big mess, and even bigger problems.

If you know how your flute SHOULD work when it is in top condition, you will know sooner when you have a minor problem. The flute is quite a mechanical beast, and problems are best fixed when minor!

Too many of us, when we have a problem with any particular note or notes, blame our own technique as the problem, without taking a look at our flute for the 'why'. This can lead to us cramming a leaky key down too hard, for instance, instead of fixing the leak. Now we have a leak, AND a finger that 'knows' to always press really hard on that key- wearing out the new pad way too soon. If ANY note plays better on your flute if you mash the keys down harder- take your flute in to a repair tech right away!

This is also why a clean, oil and adjust should be performed on your flute at least once a year- every 6 months for those who practice 3 hours a day. We might not notice something (such as a pad whose skin is beginning to fray in the back) that the tech will. The tech can find and replace the one pad and make sure everything else is OK, which results in a flute that will be repairable and playable for a long, long time.

This same exact dilemna had troubled my flute last week. The D,F,and Eb wouldn't work(on the low register) so I took it in. I had that flute for 5 years and practiced regularly so it was a little beat up. The guy at the store found out that the rods weren't straight and one of my keys was rubbing up against another when I pushed down. He was able to fix the problem, but not completely. The keys worked but inconsistently. They reccommended a new flute so I got an Emerson(early x-mas present). Hopefully they can fix your flute unlike mine.

Most repair folks at music stores are not trained flute repairmen, but rather have a little knowledge abuot a lot of different things. A good professional repair tech almost certainly could have repaired that flute for you.

I agree with Micron...having an outstanding flute technician to repair your flute is essential.

I just now had the problem. Make sure you check at the bottom to make sure the last 2 keys or if you have 3 are standing up. If 1 is not, check the thing that holds them up!

You probably mean to check the footjoint to be sure the Low C# and C (and possibly B) keys are standing open. If not, check the spring. This most likely is not the problem, however. The way a flute works, it vents at the first open hole (and the fingerings for F, E, and D mean that would be at the D#/Eb key). Closed holes lower down can have an effect on tone and intonation, but in this case, probably would not prevent the playing of F, E, and D.

I have a yamaha flute that sounds horrible above the middle C. I have a Geminhart right now that sounds a lot better so I don't think it is my experience. Can u help me?