Weak Croaking Back D

[nemethmik]

I have received recently a number of reeds and 5 out of 6 have serious quality problems: they are out of tune and/or have weak back D. The most common problem is croaking terribly weak back D. IMHO, the back D should sound best at the same pressure as when playing second octave E,F# or G. However, most reeds breaks/croaks or changes tones when playing back D at this pressure. What is your experiance or opininion?
Thank You, Miki

[PJ]

In my meagre experience, a croaking back D is caused by (1) a badly adjusted bridle, (2) a leak in the side of the reed or (3) because the lips need to be chopped back a tiny bit.

[Patrick D'Arcy]

Who made your chanter Miki?

Pat.

[Dionys]

You might want to mention your chanter's maker, the maker of the reeds and if they're local or not, or if you're making them yourself your experience with reedmaking

Dionys

[Hans-Joerg]

Hi Miki,
the first "diagnosis" on any reed always is checking that it is airtight. Lay the tip of the finger (no pressure!) over the opening and suck it. If it should leak in my experience the only non-invasive way to cure this is carefully rebinding the blades. Read any manual on reedmaking to see how this is done.
Cheers,
Hans

[CHasR]

Isnt this the same Miklos Nemeth of "Galga Dudazenekar" fame?
He plays one teriffic Duda!

One further observation from PJ's post (although my exp is much meagerer)
The lips at the tip , surrounding the aperture; when too thin, contrubute signifigantly to 'breaking D'. Best to consult pipemaker/reedmaker (if possible)prior to major surgery on the reed.
Cheers

[billh]

Hi Miki:

5 of 6 faulty, hmm. I don't like the sound of those odds.

Before we start thrashing the reedmaker or pipemaker, though, a couple of questions - first, did the maker of the chanter also make the reeds? If not, well, anything could happen of course.

Secondly, what is the relative humidity in percent, where you are at the moment? Major climate differences could also cause reeds made for a different %RH to act faulty.

best regards,

Bill

[Joseph E. Smith]

Before we start thrashing the reedmaker or pipemaker...

Let's not, period. If information must be shared, do so out of the public eye. Thanks.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled topic.....

[nemethmik]

> did the maker of the chanter also make the reeds?
Yes
> what is the relative humidity in percent, where you are at the moment?
In Hungary, standard humid autumn climate outside, heated (dry)rooms inside.

Thank You for the Questions.
What I was really not sure whether my expectations are too high/extreme/weird or invalid/impossible. A friend here is a much better piper than me and he can control the bellows pressure in a way that most reeds do not croak when he plays back D. He explained that he has learned playing weak reeds. I have not and I am not as good player as he is, therefore I expect the reed to support my playing
Of course, there is no excuse to the out-of-tune reeds, which cannot be corrected with bellows techniques.

[Tony]

.....which cannot be corrected with bellows techniques.

Correction: bag technique.

The bellows only fills the bag. At no time should the bellows be supplying pressure to play a reed.