Blu-Tack on Chanter Reed

Uilleann Pipes
1

My best D chanter reed can sometimes be a little loud, a little screechy on the back d, and octave jumps to G & A can be unreliable. I know, as a beginner, that bridle adjustment can fix this but it does not always fix all of them. And I also know that my beginners skill can also affect or counteract some of this stuff.]

But I had an inspiration to put a little blu-tack on either side of the reed near the bridle. It made the reed a bit quieter, It took away the screech, and made octave jumping much more reliable.

Does this make sense? Do other people do this?

My guess is that the Blu-tack dampens the reed making it quieter but I was surprised about the more reliable octave jumping (doesnt jum when i dont want it to and jumps easily when I do want it to).

Oh… I did also notice that it weakened the back D a bit.

2

I would avoid blu-tac made/purchased in N. America. It is very different from that made and sold elsewhere. It is stickier for some reason, downright oily, and it will gunk up what it touches. If it happens to get into your chanter bore, you may have problems.

A much safer substance is rope caulk (used to stop drafts around windows). I have used it for years and it is retrievable.

3

PTFE tape works well to mute a reed. No oil or stickiness.

Tommy

4

I have done this in the past. Generally using blue tac to keep the bridle in place. The more blue tac the more dampening.

I prefer not to do this anymore as there is some tone loss in the process, although I have seen a number of ‘pro’ pipers with blue tac reeds, Ronan Browne, etc.