Many years ago I caught my old pipe major doing this very quickly with a pocket knife but wouldn't tell me what he was doing. For some reason he was afraid that if everyone in the band knew about this trick they'd be blowing their reeds out or some such nonsense. But he was notorious for giving us reads that were so hard to blow! I started using a nail file to file down that area... When PM was not looking lol
Make sure you start with the first part, using non-destructive methods to bring in your reed: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A6PyHUbs5Ls.html Cheers!
Matt Willis Bagpiper Will do. Thanks again. Electric bass is my main instrument, so bagpipe maintenance/tuning is kind of a nightmare. I’m convinced that pipes were invented by a masochist. One of the fussiest instruments ever...then I think about Uilleann pipes and shudder (it is fun though 😎).
This was a very common part of bassoon playing that I could never get right in my pre-internet high-school years - I feel like I now know more for the pipes. For scraping, I love the Reed Geek - super control (even has a curved surface) and it's not really a knife, so you can travel with it.
I'm glad I found your channel, chanter reeds give me fits, I've sure ruined my share by trying to make one easier or sound better. Needless to say, I subscribed, I like your methods of teaching.
Thanks Matt. I have purchased 2 Hardie Infinity chanters- Poly & ABW. Both arrived with clacker busting reeds. Now to put your tutorial in action! Cheers, Glen.
Thank you very much for this video, Matt--I struggle a lot with my reeds being too choke-y. I use an oboe reed making knife for scraping, but the construction of the bagpipe reed is pretty different from the oboe reed, so I'm still learning.
Matt, nice job on these videos. To avoid getting a crow try scraping the shoulder areas instead of the heart or window area as you call it. Scraping the shoulders on these type of ridge cut reeds (Melvin, Husk, G1, Murray) will only bring the strength down, and it will not change any of the notes or the balance of the reeds. Best of luck.
When ordering pipes from Henderson, one of the customizations is "reed strength" from beginner to easy and medium. I can't seem to find a guide on specifically what this means, regarding reed shape, tone, pitch, etc. I would assume that beginner is closer to a chanter to ease the progression but personally I'd like to just rip that bandaid off and go. Alternatively, my need for a guide would indicate the beginner reeds would be the best fit, haha.
Just about everyone needs an easy reed when they start, unless you are a competitive triathlete or competitive powerlifter/olympic weight lifter. As for what they're measuring, it's the amount of air it takes to make the reed sound, measured in inches of water in a manometer. There are a couple of scales, but the one I use is 27 and below is very easy, 28-32 is easy, 32-36 is medium, and anything above 36 is hard.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you for the very prompt and thorough answer. Easy through hard refer to air pressure needed to make the reed sound. Brilliant. It seems so obvious now. Presumably this will influence volume more than tone or pitch. Perhaps influence ones ability to sharply begin and end the drones. I am a rather large man and am no stranger to weightlifting so perhaps a target range of 30-32 as beginner wouldn't be catastrophic. I really like the idea of getting a bit of a workout in wrestling the thing. Thanks again.
Struggling to find the next video where you finally put the chanter into the pipes and complete the fine tuning, could you please send a link to that specific video? Thank you for your videos, appreciate the time and effort you put in to sharing your knowledge.
Have met made that one yet. My first few attempts didn’t work well (technical issues with the microphones and such). I’ll let you know when it’s posted!
For anyone wanting to use a Pringle pressure tester, BE CAREFUL! I ruined 3 reeds after using my Pringle pressure tester before I figured out that the manufacturer put the nipple of the gauge down so deep in the chamber that it tore up 3 new reeds . Now I only use it with the end socket that came with it where the reed fits in and I won't mount it on the chanter ever again. P.S. I also am now careful putting in the reed so the flat area passes by the nipple threads.
Hi! Matt. you are really a God send for new and old pipers alike. I learn a lot from your youtube videos. Keep the good work!!! I don't know what brand your reed tester is so I bought a Pringle bagpipe reed tester for my reeds from amazon. I put the reeds in the adaptor several times and they came out undamaged and I found a reed damaged after I put reed in chanter and fastened chanter to reed tester. After 3 destroyed reeds I found out that what caused it, putting the chanter into the reed tester brought the reed to close to nipple threads.
Having watched my instructor do this, (trying to persuade the armour plated reed my pipes came with to work) it was a bit daunting. This is a superbly clear explanation of the whys and hows. Thank you. Edit: Is that gauge a 0-60” H20? Is there a link to the 3rd part of this series?
Hi Matt, I started watching your videos and enjoy them as I try to improve my piping. Good work! I am curious to know where you got your pressure gauge. Thanks.
Given the difference in reeds (single vs. double) I'm not sure there really is a way to have the drone and chanter come on at exactly the same time, at least, not without a switch on the drones mainstock. I try to have the bag about a third of the way filled (or as full as possible without the drones sounding) and then kind of "kick start" the whole thing, drones and chanter at the same time. It's not exactly elegant, but works well enough.
Just came scross this video,..i am curious WHO makes a 45" reed?. You mentioned 'blue binding'...wud that be a Melvin reed? ..a Lee reed?. Adrian Melvin's reed strength chart only goes to 38". Is you manometer accurate?. I've used the same looking one for 10+ yrs ..no problem..and never had a reed much above 32".... Mainly medium Shepherd reeds.
Most likely Melvin reeds. I use them the most (though I have had some Lee & Sons comes through the office here too). And my manometer is pretty accurate (I have two and they read the same, though it's possible they're both off, but I don't think so). And if you've never had a reed much above 32, that's awesome! Most reeds I have come across over the past 25+ years are close to or north of 40 when I start off. When I get a sub 35 reed, I feel like I won the jackpot!
I'm maybe 3 weeks into learning the pipes, and I still have not a one single note under my belt. I have tried EVERYTHING that anybody, anywhere has advised me on this subject. Ready to give up, really don't want to, I learn a new instrument every year, self taught for most of them, but this one is going to require guidance.
Did the "Getting Started with the Practice Chanter" video not help you get a good solid Low G out? I see you already commented on it, so if you haven't watched that one, you should! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jfpeB7Qda4E.html
I'm not sure if I missed it, but could you let me know what all the options are for getting reeds 'right' before you start with carving sanding, poking, etc. I assume moisture is one, and simply playing on it a while is another...what else should we do first?
If the reed is still harder than you can comfortably play after wetting, poking, and squeezing, it's time to get more aggressive. But always remember, you cannot add cane back to the reed, so once you start sanding/scraping, take as little off at a time as you can.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Is there a video about poking? I have the proper tool, but want to make sure I know what I'm doing, and what should expect from doing it correctly. Thanks!
Matt Willis Bagpiper thanks it looks good. I have a terrible ear. I can’t tell if it is sharp or flat, the low a was showing 484 but the high a something like 457? Should it be 484 too for the octave? It’s a brand new Reed. Your video was very helpful. Especially the high g advice
Softened a reed playing with a practice chanter ... dosent sound the same in pipe chanter Used pipe chanter for the next reed and sounds good on the bag too ;but, my practice chanter wont play it So I'm guessing practice chanters and pipe chanters are different ?,, an educational "f" up lol..
