Hi Folks,
When I set the bridle to a position where I get a good strong 1st octave the 2nd octave is pretty hard to get, more specifically, 2nd 8ve e and f# are a bit muted and need quite a bit of pressure on the bag, both have a tendency to drop the 8ve if I try to cut with g. Notes from “g” upwards are reasonable to get if I lead from f#. I realise that it’s going to be difficult for anyone to comment as what feels like a lot of pressure to me might not seem too hard for someone else. I suppose the question is, has anyone managed to change from a hard reed to a softer one while still keeping the same volume?
Mac, in my own limited experience, you are opening up the bridle too much on the softer reed for the volume, and that’s why you’re having to work so hard to overpressure it in the upper octave. Probably you will not be able to get the same volume or tone with a thinner/softer reed, so you’ll have to ask yourself if you realy need the volume of the harder reed, or can you stand it to shut the bridle down a bit and enjoy the sweeter voice of the softer reed.
it seems to me that cane hardness has quite a bit to do with volume or loudness. Softer cane tends to make louder reeds and harder cane makes quieter reeds. Perhaps to get greater loudness witout an increase in pressure you could make a reed with softer cane.
There’s a simple way to check if your reed is ‘set up’ too hard or heavy. Put the staple in your mouth and gently inhale. If the reed makes a sound it’s set up correctly if not it’s set up too heavy. By inhaling I don’t mean the usual ‘sucking’ that is used to check if the crow is there. If you start with a practice set you better be careful not to get used playing a ‘too heavy’ reed. Because when you upgrade to a half or full set you will have a hard time to get the drones steady. If you have done the ‘inhale test’ and the reed makes some sort of sound and you still have trouble getting or holding the second octave there is something wrong with the reed or the chanter. There should be almost no pressure difference between the two octaves.
Hi Folks,
thanks for the replies, it wasn’t an easy question.
Evertjan, your advice is appreciated, I tried the inhale test, no matter where I placed the bridle I couldn’t get a sound so I guess the reed is just too hard. I’m a bit concerned now about getting too used to playing with the reed so hard considering your comments about the likely problems when I change to a 1/2 set. The only consolation is that I wouldn’t be upgrading my practice set, I’m going to a complete?? 1/2 set so I’ll have to get used to a new chanter anyway. The only problem is that it may be about a year before I get it. In the meantime I may have to try to make a reed. When making a reed how do you determine whether the reed will be hard or soft?