My flat high A :(

Uilleann Pipes
1

I have a high A that is flat and it’s driving me bonkers (then there’s B, but that’s for later…).

I can bring the A “in” if I lift the F finger. Is the tuning close enough to stop fooling with the reed and just remember to lift my F finger on high A? (In the following sound file, the A is played twice, first without the F finger lifted, then with F finger lifted http://www.LowerAdirondack.net/mp3/tuning.mp3 ). When set beside drones, the high A sounds much more flat than it does without drones.

I’ve been using Skye’s manual as a reference. the rest of the chanter is so nice, I’d hate to unwrap and re-wrap with staple higher up in.

I know it’s the reed design that’s probably at fault. My D is really sharp and needs tape, which I think is a problem in my reed. It’s a reed I made.

Thanks-
Dave Jones

2

Is your reed sitting tightly in the chanter? If not add a few wraps of teflon tape or waxed hemp around the end of the reed until it’s sitting tight.

3

Yup… snug as a bug in a rug…

4

Luckily it’s not a difficult vent or, IMO, detrimental, so I’d just vent the F until you find/make a reed you like better, conditions change in the reed, or you mess around with the reed. But again, venting the F seems a manageable and sane adjustment until something better comes along.

If more experienced pipers have a different view, please let us know!