I would like to check what is most recomended Moisture & Temperature for pipes in experiences of other players. I usualy have apr. 45-49 % of moisture and about 19-22 Celzius of temperature. But some days the sound is just great and chanter is very easy to play and other days everything is worse. Until now I didn’t dare to touch the reed since most of the time everything was just perfect, but now winter is here and there is more problems, so I will have to teach myself proper adjusting of reed and making it finaly.
I heard that it would be nice to play pipes in most humid room of the house. What do you think. Thanks
Well, temp and humidity undoubtedly affect the reeds.
The thing that is less mentioned as a factor is barometric pressure.
A changing barometer will also affect reeds.
I’m not sure if anyone has done any research on this.
I watch my barometer closely (no commments please lol) and when it is stable, so is the chanter reed, when it is changing, the reed is affected. Changes are greater with a weak reed or with larger barometer swings, less with a good reed or reduced atmospheric pressure variance.
The barometric pressure alters along with weather changes, and with altitude changes.
That’s another reason why people often say the pipes don’t travel all that well.
My observations conclude that a reeds best playing conditions are when/where the reed was made. I had Ian MacKenzie make a few chanter reeds for me a number of years ago and while they play well at sea level (where I live), they are awsome up in the mountains where Ian lives. The cooler mountain temperatures also seem to suit his reeds nicer as well. All those factors mentioned - barometric pressure, temp, humidity - I think contribute to the reeds behaviour.
