OK so the reed is a dud, but in order to help me learn, why wont it play second octave?
Bob
Just offer it to a highland piper.
Seriously though, is the reed hard to play in the 1st octave? It might be that it needs a little more scraping.
What!?! No need to go enticing someone to try scraping a reed at this point!
It could need a simple collar adjustment - no permanent change - just normal reed tweaking. The collar may have moved upward toward the lips of the reed which would certainly result in a difficulte 1st octave. Gently moving it back down could easily do the trick.
More to the point is there any other UP player around your location who can help you out with this? There are too many potential variables for on-line diagnosis.
Your reed won’t play any of the second octave ?
A new reed may be hard to play above F# or G in the second octave.
I had lots of problems with the second octave at first but most of it was me and not the reed itself.
If the reed is new and plays the lower octave easy and in tune, it may need to be closed down a bit.
Even if it plays a bit sharp after a bridle adjustment (or the bottom D is a bit grumpy), you are better to keep playing for awhile before any permanent changes (like scraping).
If the reed is past the point of no return from excess scraping, the lower octave will sound lifeless and none of the upper octave notes will be playable
It is quite amazing how much change you can get with just a small adjustment.
Having another UP player look at it would be a great idea if possible.
Tim
Hehe thanks but I made the reed. It is easy in the first octave but wont play above back D.
Bob
Save it for a regulator reed. Next attempt, make sure that the centerline is thicker than the edges.
Hmmm. seems to have been a far too closed eye on the staple. I made it 3mm external and as if by magic the second octave is back.
Bob
I use an eye opening of .060" ID with good results in the second octave.
Using a tapered pick to roll the inside to more of an oval shape after forming the eye works well also. (talking brass tubing , not rolled staples)
Tim