Clarinet keys stick as a result of several reasons. This article will show you how to fix minor problems like sticking pads as well as let you know when professional help is required.
Sticky pads are often caused by bent rods, improperly lubricated rods, or food residue on the clarinet's pads. If the tips listed below do not help then it is most likely that a rod is bent or an adjustment needs to be made to the mechanisms of the clarinet's keys. In this case your only option will be to take the instrument to a professional repair shop. Try these tricks first though to save you an unneeded expense.
Occasionally clarinet rods and keys need to be lubricated with a special variety of oil sold in music stores as "key oil." Do not use household oils for this purpose as you may damage the clarinet. Also, always use oil sparingly as oil attracts dust. When oil and dust combine on an instrument the sticking can become even worse. Follow the directions on the bottle, or if there are no directions apply only one small drop of key oil to the joints where rods and keys connect. Oiling the keys should only be done when needed.
If oiling the keys does not fix the problem listen carefully to the sound the clarinet's pads make when they come up. If you hear a sticky sound as the pad rises it is likely that the pad has some residue on it that is literally making is stick down to the body of the clarinet. This residue can sometimes be removed with a common dollar bill. Insert the dollar bill under the offending pad, apply gentle pressure to the pad to squeeze the dollar bill between the pad and the body of the clarinet. With the dollar bill held in place by the key use your other hand to quickly pull the dollar bill out from under the pad. The friction of the dollar bill being pulled out will pull the sticky residue with it, leaving it on the dollar bill and solving the sticky key problem.
If neither of these tricks work it is most likely you have an alignment or other mechanical problem that can only be solved by a reputable repair technician.
Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...
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