Flute Notes

Tips to maintain a Bansuri in good shape

Bansuri being a wood instrument must be given good care. Bansuri's are prone to cracks sue to thermal stress and also expansion under cold climatic conditions. This affects the tune and pitch of the flute. Here are some tips you could follow to maintain your bansuri in shape.

1) Avoid playing under cold climatic conditions. This is said because when you blow into your bansuri you are blowing in hot air whereas the climate outside remains cold. This is will cause your bansuri to expand from the inside and also develop cracks.

2) If you find cracks on the bansuri apply glue immediately and make sure to keep it for a day for the crack to get completely bonded. A glue with low viscosity is preferred in this regard. 

3) Oiling the bansuri is regarded as one of the best techniques to maintain your bansuri in shape. Different oils have been listed. Mustard oil or walnut oil are mostly used to oil the inside of the bansuri. Oiling can be done by using cotton attached to a stick. Make sure that the cotton is firmly bonded to the stick or else the cotton may go inside and you may find it difficult to remove it. Please do not oil the threads (if your bansuri has it) and also near the blow hole. The frequency of oiling can be around 3-4 times a year.

4) If you are a person who takes your bansuri wherever you go then be extra careful. For example leaving your bansuri in car in summer and then blowing into it can cause you bansuri to crack considering the extreme temperature and the moisture in the blow.

5) Take good care of your bansuri. Small hits on the wall, frequent dropping can cause damage to the pitch and tune of the flute. People take care in the initial stages when the bansuri is new but later on handle it with no care. If possible find a cover for your bansuri which will protect it to a greater extend.