 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-09-02 07:51
For some ideas to start with, check the posting "Basset horn pads" posted on 8/30. This should give you some starting points.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-09-02 12:43
First, remove the key. I take a paper towel with warm water and some dish washing soap and gently clean the surface. Finish with just warm water, and let dry before putting the key back on.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-09-02 15:16
It depends on the nature of what's causing the pad to stick and the type of pad that's sticking.
What make/model clarinet have you got and what type of pads does it have?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-09-02 16:47
As a practical matter, I'd agree with Chris that it matters what's causing the pad to stick and what kind of pad it is. But I don't think it will hurt anything if your first attempt is just to put a piece of smooth paper - many players ostentatiously use dollar bills (or larger if they're trying to be cute) or a couple of thicknesses of cigarette paper - under the pad, hold it gently closed and pull the paper out. If it's something simple, especially if it's only moisture, a couple of swipes will solve the problem.
If the pad is still sticky, or if stickiness returns so it becomes a chronic problem with the specific pad, then you have to investigate the problem more thoroughly, as Chris suggests. Depending on what's sticking, you may want to remove the key and clean the pad as Paul suggests or perhaps even to replace the pad.
Karl
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-09-02 17:57
Take it to a tech. Replace the pad, replace the key cork if that is the issue, or perhaps have the spring tightened.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-09-02 19:59
If you remove the key to clean it, don't forget to clean the pad seat. And, while you are there, clean the inside of the tone hole, too. A cotton swab lightly moistened with alcohol will do a great job of this. As with the pad, make sure you let it dry completely before you put it back together.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-09-02 21:48
I have one pad on my clarinet that occasionally gets sticky. And that causes the response to my release of LH thumb/index finger to be sluggish. (You techs will immediately know which pad I mean.) For a while I thought it was sluggish key action, and I suffered through experiments with key oils and such. Then I figured it out.
Perhaps my pad needs to be replaced. Whenever I have my horn in for service, eventually, I will have it checked. In the meantime, I have been successful at un-stickying the pad with a small scrap of paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol, that I gently close the pad on and pull out. Better to do this lightly several times than too hard. Only do it if you are prepared to deal with the pad becoming immediately unplayable- I always consider a bad outcome as a possibility with such a service hack.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2015-09-02 21:55)
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-09-03 02:09
Although I just replaced a pad on an older Buffet where I used cork in order to be able to fit it to the smooth, curved surface of the instrument body (left little finger C#/G# key), most pads have seats with a sharp rim on them. If you have a sticky pad, the problem will be at the top of that rim or in the groove it has made in the pad. It doesn't take a lot of force to clean those areas but, if you don't get them clean, the pad will still be sticking.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-09-04 16:40
The thumb index finger issue is probably not due to the pad. The end of the thumb key (the part that touches the F# index ring key) may be digging into whatever material is used between the keys. The thumb key gets caught in this divot. It may not be obvious, but if you play with it you should be able to see if that is the problem.
Steve Ocone
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