21
Troubleshooting
The tone is not clear, or the instrument
plays out of tune.
If pads are deformed and air is leaking from
the instrument, take the instrument to your
dealer for repair.
➞
Never apply excessive pressure to the keys.
Also, when placing the instrument in the
case, make sure that nothing is placed on
top of the instrument.
If the body cracks, take the instrument to
your dealer for repair.
➞
Sudden changes in temperature or humidity
can cause cracking. Do not directly expose
the instrument to hot or cold air.
The keys are stiff. The keys do not
move.
If a spring has become dislodged, returning
it to its proper position may correct the
problem.
➞
When hooking the spring in position, be
careful not to bend the spring. Springs may
become dislodged when performing main-
tenance on the instrument or when wiping
the instrument with a cloth. Please use cau-
tion.
If keys are bent, take the instrument to
your dealer for repair.
➞
Do not apply excessive force to the instru-
ment such as dropping the instrument, clos-
ing the case when an object is placed on top
of the instrument, etc. Also, when you are
finished playing, place the instrument in the
case. At this time, make sure that there is
nothing in the case that will apply pressure
on the keys. When assembling the instru-
ment, be careful not to apply unnecessary
pressure to the keys. Hold on to the instru-
ment in the intervals between performance
and during breaks between practice.
The joint is too tight or loose.
If the joint is tight, apply a small amount
of cork grease to the joint cork. If the joint
is still tight, apply some cork grease to the
receiver side as well.
➞
Changes in temperature and/or humidity
can cause the cork to shrink or expand
which can make the joints tight in the sum-
mer and loose in the winter. After you are
finished playing, make sure you store the
instrument in its case, rather than leave it
out.
If the joint cork is torn, take the instru-
ment to your dealer for repair.
➞
Proper application of cork grease offers
some protection against tearing of the cork.
However, if the cork becomes torn, take the
instrument to your dealer for repair.
The keys are noisy.
Apply key oil if the keys lack oil and are
dry, and tighten screws that have become
loose.
➞
Apply key oil once a month (1-2 drops per
location) to prevent abrasion. Also, since
woodwind instruments have many small
screws, check for loose screws and tighten if
necessary.
The cork or felt on the keys has fallen off or
torn. The instrument may have received a
shock causing the keys to come in contact
with the body or other keys. In this case,
take the instrument to your dealer for re-
pair.
➞
Take proper care of the instrument to pre-
vent the corks or felts from falling off. After
playing the instrument keep the instrument
in its case. Also, hold on to the instrument
in the intervals between performance and
during breaks between practice to prevent
excessive pressure being placed on the in-
strument or keys.
