I made a set without the ‘tuning’ mechanism since it seemed that most folks just make composites at a set length (I had originally went through the whole process and it seemed that they didn’t change pitch very much with adjustments). Well they sound dandy but hotchy chatchy are they flat. Has anyone had success with this design and if so, it is better to adjust the tongue for tuning, or is there some other trick (really reducing the tube diameter, shorten the whole length, etc>?) Thank ye kindly…
Simply create a bridle by wrapping a thread a few times around the drone reed near the base of the tongue and tying it off. Move this bridle up or down to lengthen or shorten the tongue. This will control the pitch.
You have to tie the thread tight enough so that it effectively shortens the length of the tongue, but not so tight that it makes the tongue stand out from the barrel of the reed.
WireHarp, IMHO there are two main considerations in tuning composites: 1. the reed body should be similar in size (internally) to cane reeds that you know will work in your drones 2. The tongue when strapped to the body and sucked should make a note which (when you find out what it is!) will be a useful guideline in making other reeds. I got this idea from Ray Sloan. I have found more than one note that will work when fitted to the same drone (usually a fourth or fifth apart). I use fifteen semi-tones above the drone note but I guess that other peoples’ drones might need something different.
Thanks wee green fella and ther rest, I will try all suggestions. I also want to wrap the non vibrating portions with teflon tape, as I suspect leaks. For some reason I have been battling leaks on every front… most likely due to the incredible lack of humidity around here this past month or two..