Sticky noises on my flute pad

[Karl]

Hello dear fellows!

I am having some troubles with my flute, whenever I press and then release some of their keys, I can hear a slightly sticky sound, (like if I were removing some scotch tape from something).

Does anybody have an idea about the origin of this issue? Why some of my keys sound sticky? Maybe I'm making some mistakes when I clean my flute? How can I solve this problem?

Cheers!

[mirwa]

Dirty pads will create that sound and sensation, also it is indicative of a pad on its last legs, as the pad structure starts to break down.

First get your pads cleaned

Steve

[Karl]

Thank you Steve for your feedback!

It is strange, as I always use cigarrete paper to clean my pads after playing the flute, by the other hand, I bought my flute about 5 months ago, so the pads should last a little more longer! Perhaps I'm making some mistakes when I clean my pads.

Also, how could I clean my dirty pads right now? When I use cigarrete paper to clean the pads, the sticky sound didn't disappeared.

Best regards,

Karl

[zummerzet_lou]

Karl .. your flute was brand new 5 months ago?

You may also need to take a look at how you are using it ... do not play flute just after, or whilst drinking anything other than water (sugary drinks, tea, coffee etc are off when playing). If you can, clean your teeth before playing, or failing that a few mouthfuls of water.

How well do you clean you flute after playing? Is it well swabbed out each and everytime you finish playing before putting it back into the case?

[JButky]

Not uncommon with a new flute given how the padding is done.

The problem is sticky stuff on the tone hole rims, not necessarily the pad skins. Most people assume the pads skins, but it is less likely that this is where the problem mostly resides.

Typically, using a polishing grit sandpaper (I Use Micro Mesh 3600 grit) but with Scotch tape on the back side. Place sandpaper side down on the tone hole rim close key on it gently and pull the paper out to clean the rim. In the worst case scenarios, the keywork needs to be removed to clean inside the tone hole as well.

You can also use blue static tape on the back side of the sandpaper or a thin piece of plastic to protect the pad skin while sliding the sandpaper underneath. That's what I use because I have a supply. (this blue static tape is pretty expensive)

A single or double swipe over the tone hole rim in most cases will stop the stickiness.

The important part is that you put some material between the pad face and the sandpaper. And if you can prevent it from moving while sliding the sandpaper over the tone hole, even better.

[Karl]

Thank you guys for the advices, I'm finding them very usefull!

@zummerzet_lou

Sure, I bought a brand new flute from the store 5 months ago! And yes, many things you pointed out I didn't have idea I should do: I didn't bothered to play flute after drinking something (sugary drink, coffee, tea, etc) or after taking a snack... I never thought this could harm my flute.

However, I make sure that my flute is dry and that every pad was cleaned with cigarete paper whenever I put it into her case. Maybe what you pointed out is giving an important clue about the nature of this annoying sound.

@JButky

So, you are suggesting that I should use an extremely thin polishing grit sandpaper in order to remove something on the hole rims that may be the origin of this sticky sound? In my humble opinion, I think I should first clean the pads, because of the reasons @zummerzet pointed out, what do you think?

Cheers!!

[JButky]

However, I make sure that my flute is dry and that every pad was cleaned with cigarete paper whenever I put it into her case. Maybe what you pointed out is giving an important clue about the nature of this annoying sound.

If you are using cigarette paper on the pads, you are probably slowly ruining the pads if you are pulling it out after closing the key down on it

So, you are suggesting that I should use an extremely thin polishing grit sandpaper in order to remove something on the hole rims that may be the origin of this sticky sound? In my humble opinion, I think I should first clean the pads, because of the reasons @zummerzet pointed out, what do you think?

Cheers!!

Pads get dirty and sticky from what's on the tone hole rim. IMNSHO you need to clean the tone hole rim exactly as I described. (When they are really bad, we take the keys off so we can clean the inside of the tone hole as well since residue can remain there causing stickiness to return.)

The conventional wisdom that you will hear is to clean the pad. But it is not entirely true. The tone hole rim is responsible in most cases.

[flutego12]

However, I make sure that my flute is dry and that every pad was cleaned with cigarete paper whenever I put it into her case. Maybe what you pointed out is giving an important clue about the nature of this annoying sound.

If you are using cigarette paper on the pads, you are probably slowly ruining the pads if you are pulling it out after closing the key down on it

So, you are suggesting that I should use an extremely thin polishing grit sandpaper in order to remove something on the hole rims that may be the origin of this sticky sound? In my humble opinion, I think I should first clean the pads, because of the reasons @zummerzet pointed out, what do you think?

Cheers!!

Pads get dirty and sticky from what's on the tone hole rim. IMNSHO you need to clean the tone hole rim exactly as I described. (When they are really bad, we take the keys off so we can clean the inside of the tone hole as well since residue can remain there causing stickiness to return.)

The conventional wisdom that you will hear is to clean the pad. But it is not entirely true. The tone hole rim is responsible in most cases.

Butky rules!
=) I have a newish clarinet with very new pads but there is one that goes sticky click click. I suspect it's the hole rim. Thanks.

[Karl]

Ok! So I'm going to buy the materials in order to follow your advice... I'll tell you the results!

[trumpettech]

If the pad impression is too deep, the tone hole rim can catch the sides of that deep impression making that sound.
This is why I recommend not using key clips for those of you that use them...