how can you fix the top back key of a clarinet?

Question

help i cant play basic music with that key sticking

Answer 1

The very best way would be to take it to a repair tech and let him/her fix it for you. That way it's fixed correctly and won't recur for a while.

Answer 2

The back top key? Are you referring to the register key located above the thumb hole?
If so, there is a paper trick to help.

Using a dollar bill, lift the register key like normal and place it under the pad. Release the register key and let it sit on the dollar bill, and then SLOWLY remove the dollar bill from under the closed register key. You must be very careful or you can tear this skin on your pad.

Make sure that you rinse your mouth or clean your teeth before playing your instrument---key sticking often indicates building up substances coming from your mouth!

Lastly, it can also be the sign of a bad spring or screw on your key. This I would not advise you to fix yourself, take it to the shop if the dollar trick doesn't work.

Edit:
I don't recommend talcum powder. It will build up on your pad and cause it to not seal properly, and the pad skin is most likely fishskin--it's so delicate that powder will probably tear it. Secondly, talcum powder will also travel to other places on your clarinet, causing more damage than it's worth!

Answer 3

Yes, assuming you are speaking of the register key, the dollar bill trick is an 'ol bandie standby (lol, of our plethora of emergency fixes).

Often, keys will stick if they are tightened too much. Loosen the screw ever so slightly and repeated press the key, see if it improved any. Adjust accordingly. Screws have weird ways of working themselves out or miraculously becoming too tight. If one is overtightened it will cause a key to stick.

If this does not work, you might need to put a little lubricant. Let us know if you were able to get this going.

Answer 4

If the dollar bill trick doesn't work, rub a little talcum powder on a piece of paper. Put the powder under the pad and press the key closed on it- do not pull. The idea is to leave a very little powder on the pad. This can fix the problem for a little while.