Manufacturing and Functions of Pads and Keys for Woodwind Instruments

Abstract

The main function of a pad is to avoid any leak of air during performance. The pads have a layered structure, made up of three or four layers namely, a layer of carboard for backing, a layer of felt and an outer layer of leather (for clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon) or skin fish (for flute). The felt layer takes up geometric irregularities when the pad is pressed by the key against the tone hole. Currently the felt used for musical instruments is made on virgin wool. Organic glue is use as adhesive for pad layers. For contemporaneous made instruments silicon pads are used. However, these pads are more rigid and do not change their shape under temperature and humidity variations.