OK, I have had my Sweetheart 10-key for about 3 full months now. I love it, but I have one problem – the Eb key spring is really strong, and it’s difficult for me to open the key. It is so difficult that it is affecting my technique.
I have pretty strong fingers, so I don’t think it is me. Do these kinds of springs tend to weaken after a while, or is there something I or a local repairperson can do to adjust it? It’s a block-mounted key with a leaf spring.
As a first step, you could try taking the key off the block (just pull the pin and lift the key out) and then squeeze the spring against the key a bit to reduce the tension. But note that this is a risky operation: unless the spring is very securely attached to the key, you risk popping the spring off and you’ll have to send it back for repair. You might try using a needlenose pliers to hold the spring at the place where it attaches to the key while you’re squeezing.
The same trick can be applied (in reverse) for a key whose action is so light that it leaks. Again, I’d recommend using a pliers on the point where the spring attaches while you bend it out very slightly to increase the tension.
Very slight adjustments can make a big difference in spring tension, so take it easy.
Another note: when you pull the pin out, be sure to note which way it went in, and put it back in the same way. On many flutes (especially post-mounted ones) the pins are tapered slightly and only go in one way. It may take a bit of fiddling with the key to get the pin to go through and the key to seat properly, just be patient and keep trying.
Thanks so much – I just tried it and it’s exactly how I want it to be now.
My poor tired pinkie thanks you, Brad!!