On 18/03/2010 20:02, Anthony Robb wrote:
These days I snap lifeless reeds to stop me wasting time on them.
Perhaps we should start a free bank of working reeds that
"aren't really there" for enthusiastic, would-be makers to mess around
with?
For ten years or more I have been using second-grade chanter reeds (and
spare chanters) in hands-on workshops for the Lowland and Borders Pipers
Society. This allows people to practice adjusting reeds (and, indeed,
simply learn to handle them properly) without any risk to their own pipes.
The basics of reed adjustment and setting are pretty easy, but need to
be learned like anything else.
I think this sort of thing should be part of any piping instruction
day/course and that players should be firmly encouraged in this
direction. Not being able to do this, or recognise when it needs doing,
would be like playing a fiddle without being able to tune it.
Come to think of it, there are a few people in that position too!
Cheers
Richard
--
R. Evans
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