When I use my register key in a piece sometimes it sticks so when I release it it is as if it's still being used. For example, when it's stuck and I try to play A (highest A in the low register) it plays Bb instead!

I've had this problem for a long time. Before I practise, sometimes I have to keep pressing the register key for 458127+ years before it stops sticking. The next time I play, I have to do the same thing again!

Does anyone know what I can do about it ??!

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~tremolololo~
Just done Grade 7 Piano (22nd Sept.) (done well except aurals!)

It's probably best if you ask a technician to have a look at it - he could probably fix it in a matter of minutes!
I had a similar thing on one of my clarinets - it didn't happen often but was very annoying when it did! There was a resident technician at the Summer School I went to back in July, so I took it to him and he fixed it really quickly, and I haven't had any problems with it since then.

yes, but is there anything I can do on my own? Or where do I get a technician?

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~tremolololo~
Just done Grade 7 Piano (22nd Sept.) (done well except aurals!)

Your local music shop will normally have a woodwind repairer that they can give your instrument to, to sort out. It probably won't be that expensive either by the sound of it - maybe just a new pad and a look at the register key mechanism.

On thing you can try (though I have only done this occassionally on my sax) is to place a small (I mean very small) amount of talc on a risla (sp?) paper and place it under the pad, then push the pad down onto the paper to get off any stickiness that is on the pad. Be very careful doing this and honestly if you have a very good clarinet, I'd try it without the talc, just the paper, and if that doesn't work, get it looked at by a professional.

It could be a manner of things : the pad could be dirty or worn out, the spring could be 'tired', or the axe pins could need oiling - the only one you would want to attempt to do yourself is oiling all the little screws you can find - not too much - use the special oil you buy in the music shops. Give it a go, if it doesn't help, take it to a specialist ( they don't always cost an arm and a leg !)

QUOTE (Appassionata @ Oct 3 2004, 07:44 AM)

place a small (I mean very small) amount of talc on a risla (sp?) paper

It's a rizla paper - and I always used plain paper as i thought I couldn't afford to buy them- and they are about 20p per pack!

QUOTE (Catrin @ Oct 4 2004, 09:19 PM)

QUOTE (Appassionata @ Oct 3 2004, 07:44 AM) place a small (I  mean very small) amount of talc on a risla (sp?) paper It's a rizla paper - and I always used plain paper as i thought I couldn't afford to buy them- and they are about 20p per pack!

Plain paper won't help - rizlas are slightly porous and also rougher than paper, plus they're much thinner

Just a thought but your spring may be too tight, making it stick in the position that you put it in. Try loosenening the screw very gently and see if that works. Another idea with the Rizo paper it too rub it with pencil and press the pad down firmly on that. This will save you possibly messing up your clarinet.