This week, I thought I would address an item on which I get a lot of questions: pad cleaning paper. Paige’s and the Indy Flute Shop carries several varieties of this paper, and there are alternatives that you can use in a pinch, but I wanted to address some truths and misnomers about this item. So here they are:
1. Pad paper is used to address excess moisture sitting on the surface of key pads. The quickest way to know if you have too much moisture in your pads is by that telltale “tic tic tic” sound that is made when a key is depressed and released. Pad paper will not address mechanical issues with the instrument that causes the pad to truly “stick” in an up or down position. For those instances, it is best to have a trained repair technician take a look at the instrument.
2. Pad paper is available in both non-powdered and powdered varieties. For everyday use, the non-powdered variety is generally recommended. Repair technicians and players have different opinions on the use of powdered paper, but it is definitely best to not use it too often, as it may build up and leave too much residue on the pad.
3. When using pad paper, do NOT pull the pad paper out when the key is pressed down. This is very hard on the delicate pad material and can cause damage in a short amount of time if this is done repeatedly. Instead, the pad paper should be inserted, the key should be gently tapped up and down several times, then released to allow the pad paper to come out. This can be repeated as needed.
4. I have heard it advised that in a pinch, a dollar bill can be used to remove moisture. I would strongly suggest against this–for the simple reason that money is generally very, very dirty. I have seen nearly new flute pads turn almost black from just a few uses of bills instead of pad paper. While it is true that it can work in a pinch, my experience has been that it is not worth the damage that can be caused by the residue on bills. Instead, I suggest non-gummed cigarette paper–yes, they still sell it! Zig Zag is the brand that I find most often.
Pad paper can be ordered online at www.paigesmusic.com or by calling the Flute Shop. And as always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions!