A wee squeeze on my reed to close the lips slightly has resulted in the octave E breaking at times. Extra pressure will give a sharp E that doesn’t break.
The reed is NOT too easy now…feels about right with the drones on.
Before I footer with it any more, any thoughts from the reed officianados?
Its quite a good reed otherwise, and is relatively new so maybe not fully blown in.
The problem lessened after I [mouth]blew the reed briefly. [its cane thats been impregnated with something to stop moisture problems]
Haven’t played it in very hot/humid conditions…might do that before I adjust it any more.
I know leaky reed sides could be a cause…haven’t had the problem before so prob not the chanter.[Rowesome copy]
I know leaky reed sides could be a cause…haven’t had the problem before so prob not the chanter.[Rowesome copy]
Boyd
Rowsome copy, well …
Anyway, a few years ago I saw Liam Flynn playing on tv, probably the Piper’s call film, he was playin the same type of Rowsome copy I think you are playing. At one point he went to high E and just produced a particularly ugly squawk and made a face to match it. Take some consolation from the fact you don’t suffer alone.
Just a quick suggestion. Instead of banging the mandril, just expand the staple eye by small love taps with the mandril. That way you won’t open it too much and end up having to close it back. It may not take much.
I have now opened the reed lips a wee bit and the E is fine again at normal pressure [with the drones going].
The reed seems a bit more pressure sensitive than another one that I have.
It was happiest when it was very hard to blow…but despite a summer of pumping iron [for the winter climbing season] I still didn’t have the strength to sustain more than a tune with the whole set playing with the hard reed.
Someone said that a concert set needs a strong reed to make it play well…I know that GHB players have much harder reeds than we do…come to think of it, I haven’t seen too many skinny GHB players!!
Anyway, the E only breaks with excessive pressure now, so I can live with that.
[Maybe I’ll treat myself to one of Alan’s excellent reeds for Christmas!]