I’m new to the Concert flute, though I play the whistle and recorders. I’m finding that my fingertips seem to get sweaty and slip a lot on the keys. Is there anything I can do to make my finger tips less slippy, greasy? I try to wipe my hands before I play.
Cast away that slippery tubular typewriter and find a good old fasioned simple system/keyless!
There’s some kind of stuff that you can buy at office supply stores that you rub your fingertips on and it makes them almost tacky, less slippery. I don’t know what you call the stuff, but it come in a really small can, about 2" diameter by about 1/2 inch thick. I think it is used by people like bank tellers who have to flip through money and count; might even be used by card sharks in Vegas for all I know…
I wonder if it would take the silver plating of the keys though?
No guarantees of course… but I don’t think it would it would hurt the silver on the keys. If you found the stuff, then you could try a little bit on a hidden part of the flute (or an old silver spoon) and maybe a bit on yourself to see if it’s compatible. It shouldn’t be expensive to buy, but might take some looking around for. Good luck.
Numex has the answer. The “sticky stuff” is called “Carnauba Wax” made from the Carnauba Palm Tree. It is used by bowlers for better grip,drummers for drumhead friction effects, secretaries for paper/money shuffling and surfers for traction.(DUDE! where’s my board!).
Here is some advice from Mr. Zog on “Sex Wax” {The Best for your Stick}. Pull out a can of this at a session and watch the sparks fly!(Thomas plays an mp3 of “Ride the Wild Surf”)
http://www.mrzogs.com/sexwax/about/what/what.html
You can find it in most sporting outlets and it is easily removed with a little alcohol.
T-H----- Thanks for clarifying my suggestion with a real name for the stuff. I hadn’t thought about surfers, but that’s probably because there’s one really biggg sand dune between here and the Pacific 
Numex, you’re welcome!
Don’t worry about that large dune dude! After the next earthquake it will disappear! SURF’S UP!
Thanks a lot. We have a surf shop in the little local town so will look into getting some.