I play a wide-bore D, the same one I’ve been playing for the past 14 years. Trouble is, I often can’t get a really air-tight seal, especially on the lower hand holes, the F# (widest hole) being the main culprit. This has the effect of causing me to tighten my grip. Is this common on wide-bore, large holed chanters, or are my hole not drilled as well as they could be? The problem is worse in winter when lack of humidity and slight shrinkage of my digits means my chanter is extra smooth and hole-size-to-finger-diametre ratio is larger. Would a tiny bit of scalloping help?
True. A good lick of the fingers often helps too But I’ve noticed that when playing other wide-bore D chanters that some of them (not all) are much easier to seal. So I was wondering if it was also a design issue.
Yes, I was going to suggest the same thing, twisting the chanter around a little bit, or maybe try raising or lowering the angle of your lower wrist. Its entirely possible to develop bad habits (or lose good ones) when you least expect it.
Patrick…this ‘teet balm’…where does one get that from? You don’t mean the stuff nursing mothers put on their cracked nipples?
Turning the chanter seems an option as the F# hole does extend further to the side than the other holes - I think I would have preferred it if this hole was centred better.
Teat balm is what diary farmers put on cows udders to prevent or heal cracking. Also known as “udder cream” or “bag balm.” The stuff makes great hand cream as well. It’s sold in the states in drug stores under the “Udderly Smooth” brand name.
These ‘Drug Stores’ you have in the US seem like interesting places. I’ve always equated them with Pharmacies/Chemists (where we get our prescription medicines from in Australia) but going by what I see on the TV you can get ice-cream and alchohol and now, livestock supplies.
Don’t know where I’d get udder cream here in Australia except from a Livestock supplies store or veternarian perhaps.
Bag balm is wonderful stuff. If you have little ones, diapers, and heat it is a must. It is one of the best things on the market for diaper rash/chafing. A lot of stores carry it with the diapers and other baby supplies also.
I used to have problems sealing the A-hole properly. I noticed when other musicians in the session moved away from me. I thought it was my playing first, but… The smell…
A lump of beeswax took care of it…
/Morten Sorry - I’m starting my holidays now… A bit exited
Thanks Lorenzo. i hadn’t taken that into consideration. I’ll stick right away from my files and go with the lotion. Actually, I’ve got some good ‘Carpal Tunnel’ cream I got from the U.S. which has among other things Arnica which is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory agent so I’ll use that every time I play and see how I go.
But I’ve noticed that when playing other wide-bore D chanters that some of them (not all) are much easier to seal. So I was wondering if it was also a design issue.
Sorry - I’m starting my holidays now… A bit exited