Flute problems?

Question:Some of the keys on my flute have recently been making noises, like it is sticking to the metal. The padding sometimes sticks to the metal hole and sometimes takes too long to come up. Does anyone know how or why this happens and how to fix it?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Some of the keys on my flute have recently been making noises, like it is sticking to the metal. The padding sometimes sticks to the metal hole and sometimes takes too long to come up. Does anyone know how or why this happens and how to fix it?

The how and why can be either normal wear or you've gotten something sticky (soda) in there.

The how to fix it is shop work. The repairman will take the keys off and clean the connections where metal meets metal and then either clean or replace the pads.

This sort of repair (playing condition) is usually under $100 on a flute if you've not let the flute become too damaged.

You can try oiling your keys and wiping your pads clean but be careful. Get a music teacher or experienced flute player to help you with this.

add: re: note below - cigarette papers are the very best thing for pad cleaning since - well, nothing's better. Unfortunately, in most communities and in almost all schools, simply having cigarette papers as a minor is sufficient to get you pegged as a drug user. There is a useful alternative. Down at the beauty supply store they have papers for rolling perms that is very similar in fiber content and size to rolling papers. They're also much cheaper and in a bigger box. Don't use circulated dollar bills - no telling where those have been. ? but a nice clean new bill will work wonders on a sticky pad (or soaked clarinet reed).

I agree with CoachT.

A quick fix can be taking a fairly new dollar bill, GENTLY placing under your pad, press the pad down with the normal pressure you use with playing, and pull the dollar bill out SLOWLY and carefully. The fibers of the dollar bill sometimes help in cleaning sticky residue off of pads. I'm not sure how well it works with flute pads because of the screw in the center, but it couldn't hurt to try.
As CoachT said, get someone to help you with this. Pressing too hard when removing the dollar can tear your pads "skin." Most likely, a clarinetist or saxophonist may be familiar with this trick and can help you. If not, ask your director!

Make sure you clean out your mouth before playing---soda and food particles can be blown into your flute!

This is called sticky keys! it happens to all of us at some time! Get some cigarette paper or a dollar bill and put it in between the key! You could also try ordinary paper but some say this is not good for the keys! If in doubt take it to th repair shop and get them to check it out and show you how to do it! Brush your teeth before you play usually works for me too!

Every flute player should get their instruments fixed by a professional instrument repairer every now and then, even though there would be nothing wrong with the function! But as a first aid do try to keep your flute as clean as you can and clean it after every playing session!