Although I’m a beginner, I’ve already started to learn to make my own reeds. My pipe teacher gave me some materials to start and some great advice on how to make them.
In the course of learning to do this, I’ve discovered that - especially when voicing the reed - you really get some good knowledge of how the pipes make the sounds they make. I’ve come to appreciate the insight that comes with knowing how the staple affects certain notes and the shape of the ‘V’ affects others.
I’ve heard that, at the beginning, you can expect to get one good reed for every 10 you make. Since I’ve only made two, I’m waiting for a good one (the first one cracked when I was binding it and the second one I ruined by cutting it down too much). I’ve heard this can improve to a whopping three for every five for more experienced reedmakers.
My question is, how many of you make your own reeds and do you agree that it can be an invaluable learning experience for those just starting out?
Finally, has anyone tried the “Ready Tie” reed cane from Howard music. I’ve been thinking of ordering some, could be a time saver.
As a piper, learning to make your own reeds is invaluable, although, most pipers I know of prefer not to and order theirs from reedmaking giants such as Benedict Koehler and Alan Burton and so forth…and why not, they’re great reeds. But there will come a time where you’re gonna need a reed in a hurry, and if you can make your own, you can get a reed in a hurry.
Personally, I think it is always a good idea to know how to make your own reeds, as well as take a more active approach toward good maintenance of the instrument.
chanters are somehow quite individuals , each one needs different reed dimensions for length, staple etc. (two Roberts d-chanters from different
era about 89 and 94, both needs it’s own reed ,even same pitch and same maker).The more you make reeds, the more you noticed whats effecting
to reeds character vs tone and tuning ,this is called the “dark side of Uilleannpiping” … it can take your soul… just kidding, .. but at last
you’ll make good reed, so goooood ,that you forget those earlier difficulties and just play play…, and enjoy for good tone ,easy playing
=you’ll find tunes different way..
(sorry my bad english but perhaps you get the point)
cheers
Making reeds is its own skill, and is a hobby unto itself. There’s no question that it complements being a player, but it isn’t necessary. If you have a chanter that needs reeding, but you don’t want to bother acquiring this skill, send it to a competent reedmaker.
Dry reeds don’t really go bad on their own. They get ruined from excessive, uninformed adjustment.
If you have a staple that is confirmed to produce an in-tune reed for your particular chanter, you can theoretically nail it on the first try. Just don’t underestimate the need for exactitude and the impact of small changes.
The best thing about reedmaking is that you can listen to piping while you do it. I can’t listen to piping while doing anything else. It’s too distracting.
You’re right there, it’s one way of getting ‘intimate’ with your stick.
If you are a fair distance from a pipe/reedmaker, it’s a good idea to get your teeth into it. The furthest I travelled for a reed was 350 miles (and that’s nothing compared to some peoples locations), and the reed I got was not as good as the one I was playing. I decided not to do that again. It takes a while, but it’s worth it.
Finlanders not joking, prepare to strike a few heinous bargains on the way. I haven’t yet sold my soul, but He’s got a fair long lease on it …
I think the big benefit that comes from making your own is that you lose the fear of touching your reed. I don’t think there is any better way of getting comfortable with reed adjustment than trashing a few reeds of your own build. How else will you ever learn what a reed is capable of and what the limits are? If you trash a nice reed, get over it and recycle the staple for another nice reed.
Personally, the satisfaction I feel when my chanter hums with a reed I made myself is like going out to a tree I planted, pruned, cared for many years and picking a sweet, crisp apple and sharing it with my little girl. It just doesn’t get better than that.
Yes, I’ve tried the ‘Ready Tie’ from Brian Howard at www.howardmusic.co.uk , and been present when 5 total beginners tried ( at the Oxford Floating Tionol ). We all made a working reed at the first attempt, and in two cases better than the one they were using! I can strongly recommend them. For me they were an easy introduction into reedmaking, giving me a clear understanding of objectives. The staples included are very special, and I doubt that I can ever match those. But why bother when Brian can send me as many as I want? After handling and finishing about half a dozen of Brians slips I gained the confidence to make my own. Knowing what I was aiming for made the whole thing so clear. I am now able to make reeds for all my chanters ( 3 out of 5 too rich for me yet from scratch- but with the kit 9 out of 10) and they play as well as I could wish! I can’t think of a better way to start.
In all fairness, due to recent threads,I have asked Brian to send me a gratis kit to try, so I can give some feedback to C&F. I will post my findings, unless anyone think it an unreasonable exercise…
Alan
disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any lodge or brotherhood of reedmakers.
Teirw, could you tell me how the staples are special? I’ve just recently ordered a set of ready to tie heads, but not staples as I was planning on trying with my own staples?
Hi, glad to reply. The staples incorporate what Brian ( and others ) call ‘perturbations’. These are variations in internal diameter or taper and something beyond me with my hammer and anvil! My home made ones don’t come close to the predictability that I find with Brians. Mine work, but I have to do much more to the tied-up slip to get them singing and even then they are different. Some might call it witchcraft ( me for one ) but I’m only too happy to pay him for them after all his research and development.Good luck with your efforts and if you hit any snags you can always ask Brian for help-- he’s given me loads ( though I am a good customer in that I bought a half set and have the regulators on order!)
Thanks for the feedback. I’m excited to see what kind of reed I can make with these. Like ausdag, I’m planning on using my own staples. I’ll let you know how it goes.
just kidding, .. but at last
