u/CategoryKey3969

Hello, I play alto, yesterday I was playing and marching at a football game. I got it out to practice today, but my D isn't working. Specifically, the Ds that use the octave key. It's very hard and takes lots of force to get sound out, and even so, the intonation is terrible. I was experimenting for a bit, and I realized that when I simultaneously press the octave key and the lowest key on the upper stack, the seal on the neck doesn't fully close the pip as it should, there's a few millimeters in between. Air is leaking out and I think that's why it's sounding this way. Is the piece that's connected to the seal likely bent? If so, can I fix it at home, or will I need professional repairs? Thank you for your time!