So, all of the 1st 8ve notes on my D chanter are playing really sharp…30 to 50 cents depending. The problem is, I am basically at the limit as to how far out I can set the reed staple and not have it just fall out of the chanter. I’ve tried moving up the bridle a ways, but that’s not really doing the trick. I am also having a hard time with B and back D. B tends to be much flatter in comparison to all the rest of the sharp notes unless I put the kind of bag pressure required for playing 2nd 8ve E, F#, and G. As far as back D, It’s the strangest thing. If I put even a fraction too much pressure on the bag, back D drops 2 or 3 half-steps. It makes for a fun time when trying to play a B to back D sequence and vice versa.
OK, so there is one more thing I’m trying to iron out, which pertains to reed adjustments. When I adjust my bridle so that the reed aperture is not so small I barely have to look at the bag to sent right hand notes into the 2nd 8ve, I end up with an very very loud chanter that takes a lot of air. So much in fact that I cannot relax my fingers as air will force its way out of the holes if I do. When I lift fingers to play a note, air rushes past them at a velocity that seems a bit much. Hmmm.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I know a lot of new pipers get disenchanted with the pipes as a result of reed issues, but I am far too stubborn to give it up. I will add that these issues, with the exception of being too sharp, have all come up recently, so I am inclined to attribute them to changes in climate between cool spring and warm spring (winter does not actually exist in the Arizona desert, only hot summer, mild summer, cool spring, and warm spring ). I have recently gotten out my humidifier and have been keeping it on in the room where my pipes are, but have yet to see if that helps.
Thanks a whole lot everyone for any help you may have
First thing to consider here is that you live in Phoenix. There isn’t enough humidity there to make your uillenn piping life a pleasurable one. Who made your pipes?
I would heartily recommend getting into reed making. If that’s not a goer then I would suggest contacting Kynch O’Kaine and talking to him about making you a wooden reed. They are just the thing for extra dry climates. He’s a “user” here known as Brazenkaine.
I had no idea such reeds existed. Will definitely check that out. I play an O’Grady half-set, so my reeds are from a more moist climate. I have been very strongly considering getting into reed making. There is another piper somewhat near-by who does reeds and actually made me one a month and a half or so ago. It played very well…but ended up doing that same thing with back D after a while before the lip split. I wonder if that’s what my other reeds are about to do.
Have you tried contacting Neil - just to see if he has any suggestions to offer? I have a half set from him and I send him emails all the time and he is most accommodating and prompt with his responses. I’ve spoken to Neil about his reeds and I know he’s mentioned that they have a tendency to play well in a wide range of humidities. I am sure he’d be interesting in hearing about your problems. You can even tell him that I recommended you contact him
It has been %5 humidity in Phoenix for the past 3 weeks. It finally rained yesterday after being really dry. The reed I made for regna was just a quick reed I threw together as his reeds were playing really sharp and I could not bring them down in pitch. I am not surprized the reed was having problems and cracked because it was around %30 humidity when I made it and had just rained a few days ago.
Bill is right about the blades being stiff. I find I really have to strike a perfect balance and have a really responsive reed. If the reed is mediocre it will not work well in the low humidity and you will get a reed that will crack a rib. I do believe soft cane and playing in does help. So far my current chanter reed is happy because I made it when it was really dry and my drone reeds do not care if the humidity goes up or down. Humidity does make everything work much nicer and being a better reedmaker would also help.
I have thought about using humidity in the past and tried it a few times. My experience with humidification is that it turns into a situation of having the pipes on life support. It is so dry here that it is hard to keep things humid and if the pipes are put into a dry situation even for a short time all hell breaks out with the reeds. The only plus side is dry reeds do not mind if it gets more humid.
[ Thread revival. And apologies for the the queued approval delay. - Mod ]
Have you tried taping some holes? Used any rushes? Try cutting a piece of plastic that you can insert into the bottom of the chanter. It needs to be a rectangle bent in 2 places approx. the size of the diameter of the chanter at its widest (so it won’t fall out or creep up)
). I have recently gotten out my humidifier and have been keeping it on in the room where my pipes are, but have yet to see if that helps.
