High E Roll

[PiperTim]

I find that I'm constantly dropping into the first octave whenever I try to cut a high E (with the A finger) unless I really apply a lot of pressure. I don't seem to have the same trouble with the other 2nd octave notes; in fact, I find it easier to cut a 2nd octave A without dropping into the first octave. Is there any reason why I should be having this problem with that note in particular?

Assuming no changes to the reed, one alternative would be to simply tip/pat the high E rather than cut it. Another alternative might be to cut the high E with the G finger. Has anyone ever tried cutting a high E with the G finger or tried performing a high E roll with a G-finger cut rather than an A-finger cut?

[djm]

It is much easier (and sounds nicer) to cut the e with the f# or g.

djm

[dmahler]

Ya I cut with f#. It's much easier to keep the second octave that way, although that finger isn't nearly as fast as the A finger, so it doesn't sound as nice (in my case).
-Dylan

[tdrake]

IMO cutting with F# sounds kinda "weak". G works just fine for me, and sounds better than F# or A. Paddy Keenan uses G, if you want to sound like him.

[billh]

Sounds like a reed or chanter issue to me. The A cut should work fine. I don't recall ever having a chanter that required a lower grace in the second octave.

I just tried a bunch of chanters of different designs here and none were noticeably balky about the second octave E roll with A.

[djm]

Sometimes it's not a reed issue. One step at a time.

djm

[pancelticpiper]

On flute, low whistle, and pipes it seems that the G cut is more reliable on high E.

[uillmann]

A

[PiperTim]

A

Very pithy.

[uillmann]

A in a roll. G for a grace note cut.

[Key_of_D]

For me it depends on the structure of the tune, and/or what kind of effect I want. But I use either the G or A finger to cut high E. On my chanter and reed, the A cut is much more choppier sounding, not as crisp perhaps as the G cut, hence the different effects you can achieve.

But "easier" is in the hands of the player I think, whatever you practice more, or even simply whatever feels more comfortable to you determines the "ease" factor. But that's just me.