I have a reed that plays nicely but requires superhuman strength to play.
I have closed off the reed as much as possible. I suppose a next step would be the sand the blades, thinning them and making them less stiff? Suggestions?
Mike
Reed Adjustment
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PJ
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Re: Reed Adjustment
Some makers deliberately leave their reeds hard-blown for the tone.
Don't start sanding/scraping unless you know what you're doing. If you scrape in the wrong place you'll destroy the reed. If you continue to play the reed, it will eventually soften.
Don't start sanding/scraping unless you know what you're doing. If you scrape in the wrong place you'll destroy the reed. If you continue to play the reed, it will eventually soften.
PJ
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tommykleen
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Re: Reed Adjustment
Hi CaperMike,
I don't know your story, but if you are newish to the pipes, I'd get the chanter-reed into the hands of someone who has played a variety of sets. I have seen embryonic players start off with ridiculously-light reeds on a practice set. Then, when they move up to a fuller set that needs "real-world" pressure, they are overwhelmed. Again, I have no clue as to where you are in the continuum.
tk
I don't know your story, but if you are newish to the pipes, I'd get the chanter-reed into the hands of someone who has played a variety of sets. I have seen embryonic players start off with ridiculously-light reeds on a practice set. Then, when they move up to a fuller set that needs "real-world" pressure, they are overwhelmed. Again, I have no clue as to where you are in the continuum.
tk
Tommykleen
Well, don't forget to make music.
Well, don't forget to make music.
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Caspermilktoast
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Re: Reed Adjustment
I had a reed that took super human strength to play,until I found I had leaks in the bag. It was very easy to play after I had fixed the leaks...
"What I love about the pipes is, you can always blame the weather for your poor playing..."
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myrddinemrys
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Re: Reed Adjustment
Where are you located? Maybe someone is close to you that can take a look at it?
Wild Goose Studios Music, reed making and pipe making.
Re: Reed Adjustment
I had a bag like Caspermilktoast describes.
The leather had dried out, and was leaking through the pores, no visible holes.
Tried my chanter on someone else's bag and couldn't believe the difference!
The leather had dried out, and was leaking through the pores, no visible holes.
Tried my chanter on someone else's bag and couldn't believe the difference!