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Question: Sticky alto saxophone keys!?
How can I stop my keys from sticking!? Most notably G# and Bb!. Please don't tell me the paper / dollar bill trick, I've tried it many times and it only works [temporarily]!. Thank you for your suggestions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Sticky G# is a problem with lots of saxes!. You have to start with a clean pad and tone hole, then when ever you put your sax away put a piece of paper under the pad so it won't stick to the hole while it dries- this helps a lot, same with your Bb key which gets sticky because it is high up and gets the most spit!.!. also- get Powder Paper at your music store- it's a book of thin paper with talcum powder on it!. Works like the dollar bill trick but better since the powder will dry up the moisture!. If you can't find the paper then rub a little baby powder on some paper!. I've even shaken baby powder on the pads in a bad case- it cured the sticky pads but made a mess!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Idea 1: there's a thing called "key oil" that you buy at your music store!. You put a drop of it everyplace where there's a screw or a slip joint in your keywork!.

Idea 2: your springs are weak!. You probably need to take it to a repair shop and have them replaced, esp!. if their the little straight steel springs!.

Idea 3: your pads are deteriorating!. If you know how to replace a pad correctly, OK; if not, repair shop time!.

Idea 4: for short-term, you might be able to increase the spring action by figuring out how to attach a rubber band to the key, taking it around the body of the sax!. This is not a permanent solution!

All in all, you should budget to have your sax overhauled by a professional maybe once a decade!. Costs a couple hundred; worth it for playability!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Selmer makes a powder that stops pads from sticking!. It's called No Stick Powder (creative, huh!?)!. It costs about $4, and is very effective!. The G# key is the most common key to stick, so i highly recommend using it on that!. I just used it on my tenor on the Bis Bb key, and it worked like a charm!. There's a link to the product in my sources section!. Hope this helps!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm putting my money on the pads being bad!. Take it to your music director and have him check them, and hopefully be able to replace them himself!.Www@QuestionHome@Com