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If you've ever heard the sticking sound when opening a key on your flute, you know how frustrating it can be. Luckily, you should be able to fix this problem at home.Here's how to stop the flute keys from stickingTo stop flute keys from sticking, use pad paper to blot the keys when closing and opening them. Be gentle so that you don't tear or damage the pads in the process. However, If the key is still sticking after cleaning, it may be a spring problem, and you may need to replace the spring.Read on to learn more about how to stop sticking flute keys!Why do flute keys stick?Flute keys stick because the pads aren't completely dry. Pads may be moist due to excessive condensation or spit, and it can build up if you don't swab out your flute after playing.The sticking issue can get even worse if you eat or drink something sweet or sugary before playing. If you don't brush or rinse your mouth, it can make the condensation more sticky.8 Tips for stopping the flute keys from stickingIf you have some flute keys that are sticking, you can follow a few tips to resolve the issue. Here are my best tips for getting flute keys to stop sticking.1. Determine the keysFirst, you need to figure out which keys are sticking. Sometimes, it's easy, especially if the sticky key is the Eb key, because you'll hear it when you open that key and not any other key.SourceHowever, the two G keys can be hard to isolate, especially without a split E mechanism. With a split E, you can hold down the lower G key to see if that's the problem or not.Either way, go through your flute and open and close one key at a time. Write down all of the keys that you want to stick so that you don't waste time cleaning all of the pads.2. Start with pad paperThe best thing you can do to stop flute keys from sticking is to use pad paper. Yamaha and other brands make special paper that you can buy from a music store and keep in your flute case.Amazon also has flute cleaning paper that you can order if you want. When using the pad paper, find the sticking key and open it if it's not already open. Place a piece of pad paper under the key and above the tone hole. Press down on the key to blot the pad.Don't press down too hard or try to pull the paper out from a closed key because that can damage the pad. Also, you may need to close and open the key a few times to fully dry the pad.3. Give cigarette paper a tryIf you can't find any pad paper, you can also use cigarette paper. It has a similar thickness, so it can help you get the same results when getting your pads to stop sticking.When using cigarette paper, look for ungummed paper. The gummed paper has a small line of a sticky substance that could only make your problem worse.I've only been able to find gummed paper, so I've made sure to avoid using that section of the paper. You can cut off the strip with the sticky material or use the other edge.Keep in mind that if you're underage, you'll need to get your parent to buy the cigarette paper for you.4. Use a dollar as a last resortMaybe you can't find any other good materials to blot the pads of your flute. As a last resort, you can use a dollar bill, but I wouldn't recommend it unless necessary.If you're going to use a dollar bill, make sure it's a newer one that's clean. An older bill may have a lot of dirt on it, so it won't do you much good when working on your sticky pads.5. Blow on the open keySpeaking of the piccolo, it's not uncommon to develop water bubbles in the keys. This can cause the keys to stick or for you to not get the correct notes to speak.As you open and close the keys, look for any water bubbles that appear. If you find one, you should be able to blow on the water to make the bubble pop to get your instrument to play properly.6. Swab your fluteIf one of your flute keys is starting to stick, others might start to soon. To keep that from happening, swab your flute after you finish playing for the day.I like to use a Beaumont music swabbing cloth and the cleaning rod that came with my flute. You thread a corner of the cloth through the hole in the rod and cover the end of the rod with the material.Then, you'll want to disassemble the flute and push the rod through the body and the footjoint separately. Push it as far into the headjoint as you can to get all of the condensation out.Make sure that you don't press down on the keys as you go so that you don't cause them to stick.Read also: 7 Must-Have Flute Accessories (Ultimate Guide)7. Check the mechanismIf some of your sticky keys normally sit closed, the mechanism could be the problem. These keys include the trill keys, G# key, and Eb key.The screws that allow you to open the key may be set in a way that keeps that from happening. In that case, you'll need to use a screwdriver to loosen the screws slightly until the key opens.8. Take your flute to a techYou can do a lot of things to fix sticking flute keys at home, but it may not always be enough. If all else fails, take your flute to a professional repair technician.They have the tools and training necessary to fix your flute without doing more damage to it. A good flute tech may even be able to replace any pads that are too sticky to fix.How do you prevent sticking flute keys?As good as it is to know how to stop flute keys from sticking, prevention is even better. Consider the following tips to keep the problem from developing in the first place.Brush and rinse before playingIf possible brush your teeth before you play your flute, particularly if you just ate or drank anything besides water. Brushing your teeth allows you to clean off any sticky residue from your teeth and tongue.When you're out of the house, you can rinse your mouth with some plain ice water. It's not as good as brushing your teeth, but it's a nice option if you have a rehearsal right after lunch or dinner.If you don't clean your mouth between eating and playing, bits of food could get into the instrument as you blow normally. A quick cleaning is usually enough to avoid sticking keys.Read also: How Often and How to Replace Flute Pads? (in 5 Steps)Use a flute standYou may want to take short breaks during a rehearsal or practice session. Instead of resting your flute on its side on your lap or a chair, consider using a flute stand.Most stands are designed so that your flute rests vertically, so any condensation or spit that's inside can roll down to the end of the footjoint and out of the flute. That way, you can keep condensation from building up or settling on any keys.Schedule regular COAsA clean, oil, and adjust (COA) is the term used to describe routine maintenance on a flute. If you play a lot, you'll want to schedule a COA with a professional tech at least once a year.Some flute players get COAs done more or less often, depending on how much they play. During a COA, the tech can inspect your pads and clean any or replace any that are getting old or too dirty for you to clean.Why are my flute keys stuck?Flute keys can get stuck for a lot of reasons, but most have something to do with the condensation inside of the instrument. On a piccolo, though, keys can stick together, especially if the glue on certain keys starts to melt.I've heard of at least one piccolo where the cork fell off, and the glue started sticking the Bb and A keys together. YouTuber JustAnotherFlutist shared how her piccolo had this issue. So if she tried to play a Bb on the piccolo, it would close the A key as well, thus producing an A.How do I know if my flute needs new pads?If you've had your flute or current set of pads for about 10 years, odds are it's time for new pads. You may need new pads earlier than that if the flute keys keep sticking no matter what you do.The best option is to ask your flute tech for their opinion. A good flute tech will know when to recommend new pads, and they can change them for you.Alternatively, if you have the tools and knowledge to replace the pads, you can try it yourself. It will save you time and cost of maintenance, so you'll only need to get the pads.You can find pads on Amazon; they all come in different sizes, so make sure to check the specs before ordering.Does rubbing alcohol clean sticky keys?Rubbing alcohol may clean sticky keys, but it's not worth the risk. You should never put any liquid near your flute pads or keys unless you're a repair tech. Without that training, you could do more harm than good.Taking actionImplementing change through action is crucial for progress.While acquiring knowledge and information through reading is valuable, the key to success is taking action on that knowledge. To assist you in applying what you have learned from this article, consider the following points:- Determine which keys are sticking by opening and closing them one at a time.- Use pad paper or cigarette paper to blot the pads when closing and opening the sticking keys.- Swab the flute after playing to prevent moisture buildup.- Check the mechanism of the sticky keys and loosen the screws if necessary.- Take the flute to a professional repair technician if all else fails.- Prevent sticking keys by brushing and rinsing before playing, using a flute stand, and scheduling regular COAs.- Replace pads if they are too old or dirty to clean.- Avoid using rubbing alcohol near the flute pads or keys.Final thoughtsSticky flute keys result in an annoying sound at best and prevent you from playing at worst. As you learn to play the flute, you should also know how to stop flute keys from sticking so that you can keep getting better at the instrument.Want to learn more about the flute?Ready to boost your knowledge to the next level? If so, check out the articles below:- 6 Fascinating Flute Facts You Need to Know- Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Used Flute ()- Wooden vs. Metal Flute: Comparing Sound and Performance ()

The cost to get a flute cleaned varies widely due to many factors. Consider what can increase cleaning costs so that you can set a reasonable budget.Here's how much it costs to get a flute cleanedThe cost to get a flute cleaned can be as low as $20 or as high as $800. Everything from the type of cleaning to the technician you work with can affect the price of the final service.Read on to learn more about what goes into the bill for a flute cleaning.What affects the cost of getting a flute cleaned?The cost to get your flute cleaned varies significantly based on many factors. Keep the following in mind the next time your flute needs some tender loving care.Basic or professionalFirst, you should consider the type of cleaning your flute needs. You should swab the interior of your flute and polish the exterior whenever you put your flute away after a practice session.For this type of cleaning, you need a cleaning rod, which usually comes with your flute for free. You'll also want to get a swabbing cloth and a polishing cloth, each of which runs about $10 to $20.On the other hand, you may need a professional clean-oil-adjust (COA) about once a year. This service costs anywhere from $100 to $800, again depending on different factors.Your fluteAnother thing that can affect the cost to clean your flute is the flute itself. Generally, it will cost less to clean a student model compared to a professional instrument.For one, a lot of students rent their beginner flutes, and many music stores offer free repairs on their rental instruments. When you own your flute, you'll be responsible for the cost of getting it cleaned.Solid silver and other precious metals like gold aren't as durable as nickel or silver plating. That means it can take more time and skills to properly clean advanced flute models.You also have to consider if your flute has any special features, such as Straubinger pads. A flute tech should obtain Straubinger certification before working with this type of pad.The tech’s experienceYou also have to keep in mind how long your chosen flute technician has been in the field. The primary technician I work with is nearing retirement, so she has decades of experience.She most likely charges more than someone just out of repair school or an apprenticeship. Also, a technician who specializes in flute repair may charge more than a general instrument repair tech.The tech’s locationA lot of flute players will ship their flutes off for repair, especially at the professional level. So while you may live in the Midwest, your favorite technician might work out of New York City.In that case, you can expect to pay more for the same services as you would pay someone locally. New York City has a higher cost of living, and the technician needs to charge appropriately so that they can pay their bills.Not to mention, shipping your flute (and insuring it during the shipment to and from you) adds to the cost. You can't just drive your flute to the other side of town.Individual tech or flute shopNext, you should consider whether you take your flute to an individual or a flute shop. Individual techs have lower costs since they only need to pay for materials and cover their labor.Meanwhile, a flute shop with a repair department has to pay all of their repair staff and pay for materials. That means you might have to pay more to send your flute to a team.Granted, you may also get your flute cleaned sooner because there are more people available. But only you can decide if the extra cost is worth it.Read also: 7 Must-Have Flute Accessories (Ultimate Guide)Additional servicesAlong with a professional cleaning, you may opt for more services. As I mentioned, the most common combination is a cleaning, oiling, and adjustment of the flute (commonly called a COA).However, especially if your flute is a bit older, you may need a repad or a full overhaul (which includes new pads). Even the best pads can eventually wear out, which can keep the flute keys from sealing properly.How often do you need to clean a flute?The frequency at which you need to clean your flute may be shorter or longer than another player. It all depends on your flute playing, so consider the following elements.Type of cleaningFirst, the cleaning schedule varies based on the type of cleaning. You should swab and polish your flute after each practice session or performance before you put the flute back in its case.So for many flute players, this is every day, while other players may do so a few times a week.On the other hand, you'll need a professional COA from a flute tech roughly once per year. However, there are exceptions to this rule.Playing timeThe more you play your flute, the more often you'll need a professional cleaning. As I mentioned, the average cleaning schedule is annually, and that works for most flute players.But maybe you're currently in college for music or have a performing career, and you play multiple hours a day. You might need to schedule a COA as frequently as every six months.On the other hand, perhaps you're more of a casual player and play when you want. You could go longer than a year between trips to the flute repair shop.The specific fluteYou'll also need to consider your specific flute, including the level, materials, and how dirty it is. Silver flutes can develop tarnish quite easily, so you may need a tech to clean it off for you.Tarnish doesn't affect how your flute sounds, so removing it comes down to personal preference. Gold and platinum don't tarnish as easily, so you won't have to worry about that as much.But you'll still want to wipe it down with a soft cloth to remove any fingerprints. And if you have a copper alloy flute, you want to make sure it doesn't oxidize.Main vs. backup flutesParticularly at the professional level, a lot of flutists have multiple instruments. Even if you're in school, you may have a flute you play indoors and one you use for marching band.You can expect to clean your main flute more often than your backups. However, that doesn't mean you should let your backup flutes stay in storage until you need them.Try to take them in for a professional cleaning at least every couple of years. That way, your backup flute will be in good condition when you need to play it.How long does it take to get a flute cleaned?Along with the cost of cleaning a flute, you may wonder how long it takes. This can be especially crucial if you can't take a week or so off from playing. Here's what you need to know.Read also: How Often and How to Replace Flute Pads? (in 5 Steps)Who does itThe time it takes to clean your flute depends on whether you're doing it or taking it to a technician. Daily cleaning only takes about five minutes, so you can do it at the end of a practice session.However, a professional COA can take a few days or a week, sometimes longer. The timeline for these cleanings varies based on even more factors.The tech’s scheduleSome technicians are in high demand, and they schedule maintenance and repairs multiple months ahead of time. Granted, the time it takes to actually clean the flute won't be that long.But if your flute is in desperate need of a cleaning, you may need to play on your backup in the meantime. The good news is most cleanings are routine, so you can schedule your cleaning before you need it.Drop off vs. shippingI'm fortunate in that I've never had to ship my flutes off for repairs or professional cleanings. But you may not have a good flute tech in your area, so you'll have to ship your flute.Depending on the distance, shipping your flute could add at least a few extra days to either end of the service. So a week might turn into 10 days or two weeks.And if something bad happens to your flute on its way back to you, that adds even more time. I know of at least one horror story where a trumpet took over four months to get fully fixed and sent back to the owner, but those stories are (thankfully) pretty rare.Time of yearAnother thing to keep in mind is the time of year when you send your flute to a technician for cleaning. The busy season for any instrument repair is the summer and early fall.That's because music students have a break and don't need their instruments, so they can send them off for repairs. While it's good to have that time, it also means technicians can take longer than average to complete your repairs due to a larger backlog.Around and after the holidays in December can also be relatively busy since it's another big school break. However, the summer is still a much busier time of year for repair shops.SummaryBefore proceeding to the conclusion, take a look at the main points that we discussed in this article:- The cost of cleaning a flute can range from $20 to $800 depending on various factors- Factors include the type of cleaning required, the experience of the technician, the location of the technician, and additional services required- Flutes made of precious metals or with special features may cost more to clean- Cleaning frequency depends on the type of cleaning required, playing time, and specific flute, and it can take a few days to a week to get a flute cleaned by a professional technicianFinal thoughtsIt can cost as little as $20 to get a couple of basic cloths to clean your flute after each time you practice. On the other hand, you could spend upwards of $800 for more advanced cleanings, including getting all new pads.Be sure you budget for this cost throughout the year so that it doesn't hurt your wallet when you take your flute to a technician.Want to learn more about the flute?Ready to boost your knowledge to the next level? If so, check out the articles below:- How Long Does a Flute Last? (Important Facts)- Why Does My Flute Smell Bad? (Explained and Solved)- How Much Air Does It Take To Play The Flute? (+ 5 Tips)Sources- Expert Flute Repair

Are you a flutist looking to keep your instrument in top condition? Regular cleaning with a flute cleaning rod is an essential part of flute