Hi.
My problem is that when I am playing and I hold down the C key, whether holding the C# key or not) it ends up sticking; unless I raise my finger off the 2nd key on the right hand. My senior clinic auditions are this Saturday. Last year, before junior clinic tryouts I had this same problem. Is there anyway for me fix this without bringing it to a shop?? Thanks a whole lot!
Corinne

You might just have a dirty key. Get a piece of ungummed cigarette paper (available at some grocery stores and any tobacco specialty store) or, in an emergency, a dollar bill (not very good for your oboe but it works). Holding the top joint, unconnected from the rest of the instrument, slide the paper under the key and then hold the key down. With the key held down, slide the paper back out.

Try to play. If that didn`t fix the problem, repeat the process but before you pull the paper out, blow HARD with your mouth through the A-key next door. That might dislodge the stuff.

It could also be a problem with the spring or the post the C key is connected to. One of my students had this problem, but after one short trip to the repairman the problem was fixed. I pray that the issue is just a sticky pad though, for your sake. Good luck.

I`ve got the same? or maybe a similar problem. The C key sticks all the time at first, but as I warm up it seems to get better. After I`ve been playing for 30-40 minutes, it moves freely. But it seems that it`s taking longer and longer for the instrument to warm up so that the key moves freely. Does this sound like a classic sticky pad? Or something with a spring post or something? Is there any way I can try to fix this on my own?

i would take it to a store to get it fixed. my teacher tried to fix my sticky pad with a bill and rippe the pad off along with 6 keys. :O just let a pro fix it.

hmm... my old clarinet`s keys used to alway fail on me (that is, close and never open up again) and it happened to my bassoon once so far this year.

it`s probably a spring (or a wire) that isn`t properly into the tooth of the key mechanism. what the wire does is constantly pull the key mechanism closed. if the wire isn`t pulling the tooth of the key mechanism, then that means it won`t close the key.

it`s kinda hard to explain b/c iunno what they`re called lol. but yea, basically just push the wire back onto the tooth of the key if you see a wire hanging out... it happens randomly... it gets annoying especially on the bassoon since there are so many keys and if something`s not working you have to check em all lol.

Thanks for your suggestions!

I had all new pads put on the instrument in October, and they still look quite clean, so I don`t think it`s a pad. It feels like something in the mechanism of the key.

For kicks, I tried loosening the screw that on the post near the sticky key. It wouldn`t budge. Then I tried putting a drop of oil onto the head of the screw in hopes of loosening the screw, and then within 10 minutes, the key was not sticking any more. But the next time I picked the instrument up, it was sticking again. I applied more oil, and again, the key unstuck. Is it usual to have to oil the screws on the posts? If so, how often? Should I make any further attempts at loosening the screw?

I`ve fixed this problem on many of my student`s oboes. What happens is that when you put the instrument together, you might be grabbing the lower section tightly with the Eb key in your palm. The pressure causes the sleeve to bind (the Eb and C# share the same rod). Be very careful and gently but firmly pull upwards on the Eb key and see if it frees up the C#. It shouldn`t take too much force to make it work. If that doesn`t work, don`t pull harder, just take it to a repair person.