My Ab key has been sticking lately, but when I told my private teacher she said that I just wasn't putting down my finger at the right time or something like that. I don't know if she's right or not since I tried putting my finger down different ways but it is still sticky. Any suggestions?

The forum has been pretty quiet lately.. i don't think you're gonna get many replies, but I will reply! You should take apart your oboe, then put a dollar under the a flat key pad so the dollar is stuck under it. then, put all your fingers down and close the bottom of the top joint with a free finger (make sure you don't have your reed in your oboe, you will have to blow into the top of the oboe) you could just have spit or something that's making it sticky.. that has happened to me plenty of times.

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i hope that makes sense!

Thanks!! I tried it and it seemed to work!

That's good! I'm glad I could help. Paper also works too, but a dollar is usually the best way to go, unless you have actual cleaning paper.

If the problem is water in the key, it's best to use cigarette paper. You can get some from www.forestsmusic.com. It's better for the pads than regular paper or dollars. If the problem isn't water, than sticking a dollar under the pad and pulling it out quickly will help.

Try using a dollar bill and sticking it under the key. Rub it around a bit. Get all that gunk out! It really works. Also clean the inside of your oboe regularly.

I think what your teacher is saying has something to do with the finger transition to the key. I've found that if you support the air more, that it calms any blips you may have for sliding from key to key. Though that is not exactly the case here, try it.

I guess it really depends HOW the key is stinking. Is it an overall the-key-has-a-hard-time-moving-anywhere type of stuck? If it is, then there is probably a simple adjustment that you could make with your oboe. Ask your teacher to try one of their reeds in your oboe and see if the key is sticking for them. If it is, then they can probably fix it.

If it's a the-key-presses-down-fine-but-doesn't-want-to-come-back-up condition, then just clean the key.

Another thing is: Are you using your left hand Ab key regularly? Id not, that can be the problem. Try and at least oboe and close it every time you play. It helps to make it less sticky.

It happens all the time on my C/D and C/C# Trill keys.