Today, I received my order of two new Pro-Flow practice chanter reeds from Pipeline Bagpipes (https://pipeline-bagpipes.com/), and tried them in my new Kintyre Blackwood Long Practice Chanter. This exceptional new PC can also be purchased from Pipeline Bagpipes, if you see it on their website they have them in stock and ready to go. The Kintyre came with a Warnock reed, which performs exceptionally well in this chanter, as demonstrated in my previous videos. Today, I discovered that the Pro-Flow reeds provide significantly more volume without being excessively difficult nor too easy to blow. They are quite comfortable for me, and if necessary, they can be adjusted by applying a small rubber dental band to the reed blades. * (I had to remove a tiny amount of hemp from the reed’s staple to ensure it would insert into the chanter’s reed seat sufficiently for playing.) As shown in the photograph, I applied a strip of Sham Wow moisture-absorbing material by rolling it onto the reed and securing it with two small rubber dental bands. The Kintyre’s internal spit trap, combined with the Sham Wow, appears to be the key to effectively managing moisture issues. I will conduct a lengthy practice session in the near future and monitor the duration of my playing time before moisture becomes a concern. I am highly impressed with the Pro-Flo reeds and eagerly anticipate trying them in my Gibson Long Cocobolo practice chanter. I will keep you updated on my experiences. Ron.
Pro Flow Practice Chanter Reed (IN STOCK)
Quantity in Basket:
NonePrice:
$8.10Shipping Weight:
0.02 poundsPro Flow Practice Chanter Reed - This wide bladed reed is a great match for most practice chanters. you enjoy the enhanced volume created by the reed's design. Extra wide blade provide a little flatter pitch and will also accept higher air pressure.Another advantage to Pro Flow practice chanter reeds is that they can be gently sanded to adjust pitch and strength.
What should you look for in a good practice chanter reed?
Make sure the blades on the reed you are purchasing are evenly bound together with no overlaping, both blades on the reed should be symetrical.
If you are a beginner select a reed that is easy to blow, this will allow you to concentrate on your fingering rather that your blowing.
An elastic band can be used to weaken a strong reed, carefully wrap it around the blades of the reed the further up you place the elastic band the easier the reed becomes, this will also sharpen the pitch so you may have to add hemp to the reed .
How do you adjusting the pitch of a practice chanter reed?
As mentioned above you can place an elastic band on the blades. Another way of sharpining the pitch is to remove some hemp from the reed and set it lower in the practice chanter reed seat, if the reed is too sharp add some hemp to the reed and raise it up in the reed seat.
How to take care of the practice chanter reed
When dismanteling the practice chanter the lower half of the practice chanter is held just above the High A hole and the lower half is gripped above the ferrule, carefully twist the sections in opposite directions and draw the sections apart, go slowley so as not to scrape or damage the practice reed.
To dry the reed hold it by the staple and blow into the staple end in order to blow the moisture out then carefully dry the blades with a clean tissue.
Learn by doing!
Practice Chanter Reeds.
To change the strength and pitch of the practice chanter reed:
1. Practice reed with reed elastics. Wrap the reed elastic once or twice around the practice reed.
2. The higher up the reed elastic is placed the easier the reed is to play and the sharper the pitch.
3. The lower down the reed elastic is placed the stronger the reed is to play and the flatter the pitch.
Once you have the reed at a comfortable strength you may have to raise or lower the reed in the reed seat by adding or subtracting hemp in order to achieve the correct pitch.