Hey, guys! Some of you are aware that my own flute has died from past threads. I have an orchestra audition today at 5 for which I am borrowing a friend's open-holed Gemeinhardt. As I am used to a closed-hole, I had some difficulties, but overcame them rather easily and the instrument plays excellent!

One problem.

It has been incredibly humid in my town the past few days. The tone on this flute has gotten increasingly more woolly and thin, despite the fact that my fingers are covering the holes completely and I have not altered my embouchure. Could this be attributed to the humidity causing saliva to over-absorb into the keypads, and if so, have you any quick methods I could use to dry it out a bit?

Thanks! You guys are, as always, fabulous. : )

First off, don't make it any harder then it has to be. If you live anywhere near a local music store, go pick up some plug for the open holes on the flute. You can buy perm paper at places like Walmart or any other place that sells home perms and place them in between the pad and the flute and tap up and down. DO NOT remove one when the flute key is still being held down.

<Added>

Also swab it out periodically with a dry cloth throughout your practice sessions.