Beginner My low C# is not sounding

oluwa · Mar 7, 2015

Please help me out, I don't know what happened to my low c# I m trying to play it but I realized that the pad is not open and I want to use Glue to gum it with the handle, pls can I use Glue or gum to do that

MandyH · Mar 7, 2015

have you tried "prizing" the pad off the hole gently with your finger tips? the C# pad often sticks on the hole due to condensation / sticky fizzy drinks etc (whatever you drank!) it just needs tweaking off the hole.

Once it's open it should be fine. If it sticks again, you can try pulling a cigarette paper, or a £5 note (or your local paper money) through between the pad and the hole.

If it is still sticking after than, then use a little cigarette lighter fluid on a cotton bud (Q-tip) to clean the pad.

kevgermany · Mar 7, 2015

Has the pad stuck to the tone hole and stuck to the cup?

If so be careful to mark the pad so you don't turn it, must go back in the cup the same way around, otherwise it won't seal again and will have to be replaced.

Guessing it's not got enough glue from new. If the glue is clear, glue gun is OK, just make sure the ring on the pad from the tone hole lines up properly with the tone hole. You may be able to warm the cup with a lighter to soften/restick the pad. Also make sure the pad sits properly in the cup and sits correctly on the tone hole chimney.

Colin the Bear · Mar 7, 2015

I'm not sure what the problem is here. If it that C# isn't opening when the key is pressed the remedy is quite simple.

C# like G# is opened by a spring. The key releases the pressure holding it closed and it pops open. Unlike keys that are directly linked to finger power the pad can dry shut and over power the spring. Press the key and lift it gently with your finger. Same with G#.

Some people recommend popping a business card under the C# pad between pad and tone hole when you put the sax down after playing. This will hold open C# and because they are linked G# also, and help to stop this problem.

I don't understand how glue would be used unless the pad has detached from the cup. In that case it needs to be fitted carefully back into the cup.

If it's a modern Chinese sax, a dab of contact adhesive on the back of the pad will suffice and allow you to adjust it in the cup to the right place. The spring will hold it closed while it dries.

If it's a vintage or valuable instrument you may need to take it to a tech.

jbtsax · Mar 7, 2015

If by "lever" you mean the arm from the C# key that contacts the barrel on the C# keycup and closes it, then the answer is no. The correct approach is to pry open the stuck pad and clean it as instructed above so that when the arm is lifted, the C# key can open powered by its own spring.

oluwa · Mar 7, 2015

Thank you all, I only clean the pad very well and it start doing fine, thank you bosses

Colin the Bear · Mar 8, 2015

"Pry" and "prizing" (English prising) are words that make me cringe when talking about saxophones. I think we have to be careful with words, especially when trying to convey things to people with no engineering background and English not their first language. No need to use a pry bar. A pinky will be overkill.

Greg Strange · Mar 8, 2015

oluwa said:
Thank you all, I only clean the pad very well and it start doing fine, thank you bosses

I was always under the impression this guy was "The Boss"...

Greg S.

jbtsax · Mar 8, 2015

Colin the Bear said:
"Pry" and "prizing" (English prising) are words that make me cringe when talking about saxophones. I think we have to be careful with words, especially when trying to convey things to people with no engineering background and English not their first language. No need to use a pry bar. A pinky will be overkill.

Point taken. 🙂 Folks in my trade often see pads so stuck to the tonehole that it pulls the pads out of the key cup when you try to open the key. Be grateful I didn't mention hammer and chisel. >:)

Alc. · Mar 8, 2015

Bruce had better stick with guitar; with that embouchure he will not get on well with a reed-instrument.

When I first got a baritone I was having problems with the extreme lower stack, because I play it while sitting. Then I realized the horn was resting on my hip, and various rods were being affected. I changed my position and things improved. I really should get a tutor.