Thanks for all the advice, i have a feeling that it may be operator
error!
- Neil
--- On Thu, 18/3/10, Julia Say <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Julia Say <[email protected]>
Subject: [NSP] Re: Squeaks
To: "Dartmouth NPS" <[email protected]>, "Francis Wood"
<[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, 18 March, 2010, 19:28
On 18 Mar 2010, Francis Wood wrote:
> the problem for any beginner is the usual one. Is is
> a fault with the pipes or with initial technique? Or both? ...and it
takes a good amount of experience to
> determine what is really wrong. What should an isolated beginner do
in such
> circumstances?
If it is happening on all of the three lower notes, rather than just
one, I would
first suspect a small leak about an octave up. Check the c# and d# keys
(the little
ones in the middle), and oil the pads. See if that improves matters.
Try any other reed you have. Do they both do the same thing? (in which
case the
chanter is more suspect than the reed)
When first using the lower keys, it is common for players to
unconsciously move
other bits of the hand whose thumb is operating the key, giving
imperfect coverage
on chanter holes of G, A (particularly), B, c in the case of the low D
& F#; and
d,e, f#, g for the low E. Oil your fingers lightly and try again. If
the problem
decreases, it is possibly your hand moving on the chanter.
Note also the pressure you are needing to apply to each key (all 7). Is
one much
lighter than the others? (it shouldn't be, but....). If so it could be
that this
spring needs attention to make the key close "properly".
Airtightness of the whole chanter is best checked by removing the stock
and reed,
attaching a plastic tube to the top of the chanter, placing your
fingers over all
the holes, then immersing the whole thing in water, and blowing
*gently*. Any leaks
will show up as bubbles (this is one form of the Northumbrian jacuzzi).
It won't hurt the chanter. Take it out, dry it off, re-oil the pads and
put a new
piece of cotton wool in.
To add to the good advice posted so far......
Julia
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