[Alan Brinton]

You might try a thin coating of food grade pure silicone grease on the gasket(s), Melodica-Me. I have used it on my Food-Saver vacuum food sealer in the past, and on a couple of melodicas more recently. Trident is the brand I have, ordered from Amazon. It should soften the gasket and help preserve it as well as helping a bit with the seal. But your tuner might have some thoughts about this.