28 - cane drone Reeds

The cane that goes into the bagpipe trade is grown, cured, and exported primarily from Spain, Mexico, and Australia. The makers of drone reeds receive the cane in lengths of about 6" or so and diameters about pencil thickness. The construction of a drone reed is quite simple, and looks easy in the hands of a skilled craftsman, but results are not guaranteed. The very basics involve cutting the reed to proper length, sealing the one end with sealing wax, tying a bridle, and notching and splitting the tongue back to the bridle. Finishing steps involve cleaning the bore and removing any cane "hairs" from the tongue.

I try to select cane drone reeds with similar qualities. Usually after blowing the reed for a few days in the bagpipes, its personality will begin to emerge. Adjustments to the reed may be necessary to achieve desired performance.

There are reed makers that produce reeds with an inverted tongue. The tongue of this reed opens near the butt end of the reed and has a bridle tied at the waxed end of the reed. Some pipers prefer these reeds for various reasons. Both designs should perform equally well.

Adjusting your cane drone reeds

Working with cane drone reeds is becoming somewhat of a lost art. Many pipers today have never played a bagpipe with cane reeds that have been selected and adjusted properly. Many pipers today do not exercise the skill and patience that cane demands, and unfortunately they will never come to fully understand or appreciate the delicate and unique harmonies that a good set of cane reeds can produce. The following will help you to overcome typical problems associated with cane drone reeds. These remedies work, and a person so skilled can get years of top performance from a single set of cane reeds.

Condition: The reed will not sound

Reason & Solution: The tongue of the reed is not leaving the “bed.” This may be because the reed is wet and swollen or there is a buildup of mold on the bed. Clean the reed with a brush or soft cloth. Blow out any surface moisture and dry the reed for about ten minutes.

Reason & Solution: The reed may need additional “finishing.” Cut off any visible cane hairs and slivers and clean out any pith.

Reason & Solution: The tongue may just need coaxing. With your thumb on the bridle for added support, gently lift the tongue. Do not spring or snap the tongue. You can also insert a hair under the tongue as a temporary measure. If the reed becomes unsteady, the hair should be removed.

Reason & Solution: The reed may be leaking. Check to see if any air is escaping through the sealed end. Re-seal if necessary.

Condition: Drones tune too high

Reason & Solution: The reed may be seated too deeply into the reed seat. Remove the reed, wrap additional hemp around the end to be seated. Re-seat the reed less deeply.

Reason & Solution: The tongue is too short. Remove and retie the bridle to lengthen the tongue. If necessary, carefully split the cane a bit further.

Reason & Solution: The reed may be too narrow. Select a larger diameter reed.

Condition: Drones tune to low

Reason & Solution: The reed may need to be seated deeper. Seat the reed as far into the seat as possible without damaging the reed. Remove the rosined hemp from the base of the reed and re-tie 1/4 inch from the base of the reed. This should allow it to "seat" deeper into the drone. Otherwise cut 1/8 - 1/4 inch off reed.

Reason & Solution: The tongue may be too long. Tie a new bridle to shorten the tongue.

Reason & Solution: The diameter of the reed may be too large. Select smaller diameter reed.

Condition: Squealing

Reason & Solution: The tongue may be too heavy. Carefully scrape the top of the tongue with a sharp knife to remove some of the weight.

Reason & Solution: The bridle may be too tight. Re-tie the bridle using snug, but not tight, tension.

Condition: Roaring

Reason & Solution: The tongue is too long. Shorten the tongue by tying a new bridle.

Reason & Solution: The tongue may be leaking on the sides. There is little you can do to correct this. Discard the reed.

Condition: Double toning

Reason & Solution: The tongue may be too heavy. Carefully scrape the top of the tongue with a sharp knife to remove some of the weight.

Reason & Solution: The tongue is too long. Shorten the tongue by tying a new bridle.

Condition: Unsteady

Reason & Solution: The reed may be wet. Blow out any excess moisture and let the reed dry for about ten minutes.

Reason & Solution: The bridle may be slipping. Re-tie the bridle with rosined hemp.

Reason & Solution: This sometimes happens if a hair is inserted under the tongue. Remove the hair and see if the steadiness improves.

These solutions will generally correct problems experienced, but it must be remembered that cane is an organic material. As such, each reed is just a bit unique. If you are experiencing problems that these remedies do not correct, consult a more experienced piper before discarding the reed.

Whether we’re talking about cane or synthetic reeds, every reed has a performance range.

Under-blown... the reed is blown with insufficient pressure to produce a quality sound.

Peak performance...the reed is blown steadily at a pressure required to produce a quality sound.

Over-blown...the reed is blown past the point of peak performance where shrillness, gurgles, and squeals occur or where the reed stops sounding altogether.

You should select reeds that perform equally to an equal air pressure. To explain myself better, if one drone reed performs well at 2 lbs of pressure, and another at 2.25 lbs of pressure, one of the two reeds will not perform well in your bagpipe. All reeds should be selected with similar qualities and strength.

As already explained, after playing the bagpipe, it should be dismantled and the reeds inspected. Wipe or blow any visible moisture out of the reed, dry it in the open air for at least ten minutes, then reassemble your bagpipe and store it in your pipe box. Any buildup of moss or fungus will badly affect the performance of your drone reed. Any severe discoloration is an indication that you are not properly maintaining your reeds. They should retain a light color as opposed to a brown or orange color. Don't hurry a drone reed. It may be necessary to simply blow your drones without sounding your chanter for the first several days of breaking in new drone reeds. This is normal and the process will not usually be successfully shortened by plucking, snapping, inserting hairs, or otherwise performing ritualistic sadism on reeds. Patience is the key.