Hi,
I have a flute that has a sticking key (the a flat key). I have Solo and Ensamble this Saturday and need it fixed or something by then. I don't know the cause of it either. I have a friend that has a flute but plays the oboe and my teacher would not let me borrow it unless it was the last resort. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix it between now and Saturday???

There are a few possibilities for what's causing it. It may be excess moisture trapped in the pad, some sort of residue on the pad's surface, etc. Odds are it just needs a little bit of cleaning, though replacement isn't out of the question if there is some other issue. Take it to a repair tech...They tell you exactly what needs to be done to fix it. For the longterm, though, don't eat (or drink anything other than water) just before you have to play (or brush your teeth before playing if you have no other option), as you'll blow the sugars and other gunk into the flute and these problems will develop more quickly. Also be sure to clean any and all moisture out of the flute after every play session. Prevention is the best solution here.

It actually is not the pad it is the little bit of cork under it that keeps it from scratching the flute itself.

Oh, alright! It may be some gunk has built up on the cork, in which case I would (very carefully) use some denatured alcohol to try cleaning it off. It may also be a mechanical problem, such as a bent key or some sort of snag that the tube is encountering, or a weak spring. In any case, taking it to a tech is what I'd recommend. They'll be able to tell you definitively what the issue is, and most likely fix it for you for little or no cost.

Ok thanx so much for your help!!!

Ok thanx so much for your help!!!

I just cleaned the whole thing that way and it sounds way better and my key does not stick anymore!!!!!