Hey everyone, I recently got a flute (2 or 3 days ago, in fact) as a present, and the C# pad doesn't make contact properly, or only if I press the key quite firmly, which I don't like to do. I know that home flute repair is strongly discouraged, but at the moment I'm doing voluntary work on an organic farm in France, and money and access to repair men are scarce. Are there any suggestions anyone can give me so that I can rectify the problem?

The pad just seems to be slightly askance, being lower on one side than the other, meaning that the air escapes out of the side. I really would like to be able to play C and C# before I get home, as that will be in August, which is an awfully long time to wait considering I already miss using the note in some of the things I play.

Hope some of you have suggestions

Keep fluting!

Jack

Are you referring to the first finger on the left hand, or C# key on the footjoint? There are two very different methods for installing pads at these keys, and which key you're referring to will matter to how much help we can give.

Hi, it is indeed the low C# that I was referring to. I never even though about it being bent; I was thinking I'd have to go through some complicated rigmarole of removing the key and adjusting the pad. That's great help; thanks a lot!

Jack