Flute info for 2020-21

Much of the info we are providing about aerosol mitigation equipment for the woodwind and brass students in Band do not apply directly to the flute because of how it is played and held. This page is intended to provide some additional info and guidance for the flute students in the Olathe South Falcon Bands program.

Aerosols

Aerosols are the small liquid droplets that get suspended in the air when we talk, sing, sneeze, and play wind instruments. The concern at the moment is how these can spread the corona virus. The smaller these aerosols, the longer they can suspend in the air and be more likely to land on another person. There is a study being conducted to specifically look at the aerosols created by wind instruments and ways to mitigate them. The preliminary findings of that study actually found that the flute does not really create the smaller aerosols that the brass and reed instruments create because there is less "agitation" of the airstream when a flute player blows across the instrument. The larger droplets drop to the ground sooner and can't travel as far. The nature of how the flute is played also does not compress the air stream through the instrument, so the air is at an overall lower velocity (does not go as fast or as far) compared to other instruments. So, for the most part, the distancing we we are putting in place handles most of the "concerns" about the flute. We are still going to take some extra mitigation steps (see below), but felt it was important for flute players to understand this aspect of their instrument.

Bell Covers

The flute obviously does not have a "bell" like many of the other wind instruments. Some of the air comes out of the holes and some out the end of the foot joint. The hole keys block some of what is coming out of the holes, so at this time, there is not a strong recommendation from the NFHS study to use anything to encompass the instrument (you can see people experimenting with "bags" and "socks" online), but there is enough coming out the foot joint (especially the more fingers you have down) that we are making a "bell cover" for the flute players that is a small cap that will be placed over the end of the flute. This is a 2-ply of nylon-spandex material with a layer of merv 13 filter material in between.

Masks

We sent out a document that gave info about masks for the other woodwind and brass students. This involved a modified mask that allowed the mouthpiece to go through either a vertical or horizontal slit in the mask, in some cases between overlapping material. While it is important that you look over the general info on that document, the flute requires a little different approach since it is "transverse" (goes sideways from your face rather than straight out) and has to allow the air to travel over the lip plate. The options we list below take into account the info we have from the aerosol study in that section above. Keep in mind...this will be your band rehearsal-specific mask and you will need a normal mask on hand for before and after rehearsals.
"Side Entry" mask (probably the easiest to make and utilize)
  • Could be a loose or slightly oversized mask that allows the flute to be inserted from the side on your right. If it is a mask where the sides can be adjusted independently, the right side could be looser than the left.
  • Can be a more disposable, blue "surgical" type mask or a cloth mask. Since it will be "catching" your air stream on the other side of the head joint, it will likely build up some condensation...so you will need to plan to either replace the disposable mask occasionally or wash the cloth mask more frequently than some of the other instruments.
  • The video to the right will give you an idea on how this would work
Video of "side entry" mask
2-slit mask
  • If you prefer to have the sides of the mask closer to your face, you could try this option. We have not found as many examples of this.
  • You could either try cutting a vertical slit on both sides of the mask about an inch from the corner of your mouth big enough for the flute to slide in (sort of like the "side entry" mask) or like the picture to the right, you could cut a hole in a mask, then attach another piece of fabric over it that overlaps the edges of the hole. The overlapping fabric would need enough "give" to it to allow the flute to slide in and not impede the air flow.
  • The lack of examples of this version may require you to experiment a little to find the right amount of space needed to fit the flute in and allow for the air flow.
Photo example of 2-slit mask
Drape mask
  • ​This may be the most "complex" option if you follow the instructions of the flute player that came up with it. We have also seen some examples online that are similar with pretty much just a bandana used as a mask and the flute up and under it.
  • The instructions for making it are posted at https://shannonheatonmusic.com/lisas-flute-mask/
  • The addition of a filter as listed in the instructions would be up to you
​Photo example of drape mask