Hey everyone, hope all are well. To cut to the chase, I've been having some problems with sticky pads. I've been using cigarette paper to help, but the sticking just keeps coming back. Even after a few minutes of practicing. I was wondering if there was anything else I could do, short of getting new pads. The instrument is brand new and so are the pads, oddly enough, so I'm surprised at the amount of trouble they are causing. I've looked around online but everywhere I went just said to clean them with the cigarette paper. So...any other ideas?

Weird. Do you clean your flute out after you play? You should do that after ever use. I've also heard of some people using a dollar bill. I've always used pad paper, it's worked well for me. Hope this helps!

You can try the Yamaha Powder Paper. Many music stores carry it, so it should be easy to find either locally or online. Here's a link so that you can see it.

http://www.flute4u.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16536&category_id=264

If that doesn't help (or makes it worse - sometimes that happens, too), then it's time to get a flute technician to evaluate it. A tech may be able to clean the pads and toneholes to cure it, but sometimes in really stubborn cases, the only real solution is to replace the pads.

Do NOT use a dollar bill on flute pads. That works OK on sax pads (which are covered with leather), but dollar bill paper is far to rough and abrasive for flute pads which have a delicate skin membrane covering.

No, for sure I would never use money, I already know all about the horrible things it does to pads. That's why I've been using the cig. paper, it's no oily nor abrasive. Pad Powder looks promising though. And yes I do clean my flute after every use, it's brand new so it gets shined compulsively. Argh! This is so frustrating though, I just got it and the pads look fine! They don't even look gummed up or anything. What about temp.? Could that effect them that much, to make them keep sticking?
Thanks for the advice!

If it's new, did you buy it from a local music store? If so, take it back and get them to correct the problem.

Be sure you have your mouth washed before playing, in particular if you had taken any sugar beverage or fruits.