For lack of a better way to describe it, the chanter reed with which I am working has a howling E in the second octave. Most other notes are reasonably in tune. The chanter (cocobolo) and reed are made by Neil O’Grady and I have a spare that I have also tried with the same effect. When additional pressure (too much) is applied, the note clears up but is 50+ cents sharp of E on a tuner. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Sean
Get that on all my chanters this time of the year. It’s more of a ‘squalking’ sound… I’m thinking it’s humidity (or lack of humidity) related.
I think Seth Gallagher mentions a cure in his website:
http://www.uilleann.com/maintenance.html
Tape on the bottom half of the bottom hole (D# not the bell of the chanter) Where is back D? Does it sink or is it flat at all? You may need to open the reed slightly, pull it out of the seat a smidge or use a small rush in the staple.
Best of luck.
Bri~
My howling second octave e was cured beautifully by Alan Burton’s suggestion of rolling up a thin piece of cardoard and jamming it in the bore between the E and F holes. I think there is a thread somewhere about this if you do a search.
Good luck.
Jordan
When rushing/puttying/taping fails, the cure is (assuming no reed head/wrapping air leaks) to scrape some more bark off the bark/scrape interface at the edges of the reed from the bottom of the U to within 1/8" or so of the lips. A few light scrapes along all 4 places, test, then stop just when you think it could use one more scrape, then play for a week.
Reeds improve with playing IMHO.