Sharp upper A&B
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 9:17 am
Greetings,
I have already consulted the local pipers in my area and tried some means, but thought to seek further advice here, just out of curiosity and to see what kind of tricks there possibly are in existence.
So, after a long and rocky start with the pipes I finally have had a good set for a while now, and a chanter reed that works well enough to allow consistent practice. Been playing a year or so struggling, and about three months now with the current functioning setup (gotta tap myself on the back slightly not to have given up the instrument or lost motivation ).
The only slight issue is that the A and B on the upper octave are somewhat sharp. It's not a deal-breaker or anything, especially after such a long struggle to get a reed that plays well otherwise, but it's still notable, disturbing even, especially when playing slower tunes.
I've tried the basic means of covering the holes with some electric tape, but that results in flat first octave in the holes in question.
I've tried inserting a bit thicker piece of wire into the reed staple (there's a thinner one originally). That brought the sharp notes in tune nicely, but resulted in flat back-D and flattened the lower octave, as well.
When I move the reed up, it helps a bit, but once again results in flat lower octave.
The rest of the chanter is nicely in tune when the reed is as deep as it gets. Would anyone have any ideas that I could try out relatively safely, without the need to worry that I ruin the reed?
Or should I just accept the way it is and be glad that now the chanter works as well as it does?
Thanks in advance, if anyone is interested in responding.
Best,
Hooleh
PS. I'm getting to know about reed making this year as my new year's resolution, but as of the moment my level of understanding about the reed mechanics are limited, hence this inquiry.
I have already consulted the local pipers in my area and tried some means, but thought to seek further advice here, just out of curiosity and to see what kind of tricks there possibly are in existence.
So, after a long and rocky start with the pipes I finally have had a good set for a while now, and a chanter reed that works well enough to allow consistent practice. Been playing a year or so struggling, and about three months now with the current functioning setup (gotta tap myself on the back slightly not to have given up the instrument or lost motivation ).
The only slight issue is that the A and B on the upper octave are somewhat sharp. It's not a deal-breaker or anything, especially after such a long struggle to get a reed that plays well otherwise, but it's still notable, disturbing even, especially when playing slower tunes.
I've tried the basic means of covering the holes with some electric tape, but that results in flat first octave in the holes in question.
I've tried inserting a bit thicker piece of wire into the reed staple (there's a thinner one originally). That brought the sharp notes in tune nicely, but resulted in flat back-D and flattened the lower octave, as well.
When I move the reed up, it helps a bit, but once again results in flat lower octave.
The rest of the chanter is nicely in tune when the reed is as deep as it gets. Would anyone have any ideas that I could try out relatively safely, without the need to worry that I ruin the reed?
Or should I just accept the way it is and be glad that now the chanter works as well as it does?
Thanks in advance, if anyone is interested in responding.
Best,
Hooleh
PS. I'm getting to know about reed making this year as my new year's resolution, but as of the moment my level of understanding about the reed mechanics are limited, hence this inquiry.