OpenTube

Is Your Chanter Reed Too Hard? Try These SAFE Fixes First! | The Practical Piper

Matt Willis Bagpiper

48,737 views

Is your chanter reed too hard to blow? In Part 1 of this reed adjustment series, Matt Willis Bagpiper demonstrates the safest, least destructive methods to bring 4 brand-new chanter reeds into comfortable playing condition, using just a bit of water, controlled squeezing, and a reed poker!

📍 Part 2 (Sanding & Scraping Reeds): Still Too Hard? Scraping & Sanding Your Ch...
📍 Part 3 (Tuning Your Pipe Chanter): Is Your Chanter in Tune? Easy Tuning with ...
📺 Watch More in The Practical Piper Playlist: Playlist

🛠️ TOOLS & SUPPLIES FEATURED
• Ultimate Reed Poker
• Standard Reed Poker
• Pressure / Wika Gauge
• Bagpipe Tuning Tape

📖 BAGPIPE BOOKS & RESOURCES
• Get "The Bagpipe BASICS Series Exercise Manual" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bagpipe-BASICS...

✨ CONNECT & SUPPORT
If you enjoy these practical bagpipe tips and maintenance tutorials, please like, comment, and subscribe to support the channel!

• Join the Patreon Community: Patreon: mattpiper
• Official Merch Store: http://bit.ly/mattpiper
• Website: http://www.mattpiper.com
• Instagram: Instagram: mattwillisbagpiper
• Facebook: Facebook: matt.piper.willis
• X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/MattWillisPiper

#ChanterReed #BagpipeReed #ThePracticalPiper #BagpipeMaintenance #LearnBagpipes #PipeChanter #HighlandBagpipes #BagpipeSetup

20 Comments

@oncebittensixtynine 4 years ago

My dog left the room!

@molasses4masses 7 years ago

I remember reading all of the stuff on the Dunsire forums before getting my pipes and thinking, "The maintenance on all of this is going to be overwhelming." But, it really doesn't have to be. Videos like this are super helpful.

@moellersworkshop2116 5 years ago

You have a way about your speaking that makes this very frustrating process seem so much easier, you are a great instructor, I enjoy your enthusiasm and charisma. I appreciate that you showed a way to "bring them in" using a method that doesn't molest the reed, this is so important not to jump immediately into sanding, scraping or trimming right off the bat, patience is key and knowing what to do for each correction is key.

@TedHouk 2 months ago

Thank you, teacher. We must all follow the laws of physics. I was 10 when dad started teaching physics at Pacific Lutheran University, including I guess phonology.

@johnnickpappanastos3382 7 years ago

Ah, chanter reeds.. Easily the most daunting aspect of this illustrious instrument. Thanks for cutting our learning curve in half!

@mrsbubbles891 5 years ago

I really enjoyed your video thank you. I learned to play the Pipes when I was 10yrs old and am now 70. When I was in the Pipe Band, the Pipe Major would tune our Pipes so I never did learn any of the little tricks to keeping my Pipes (reeds etc) maintained. I have struggled along by myself as the Band folded around 1980 and the closest Pipers are 2 hrs away. I play a couple of times a year but thanks to your videos I now feel that I'm back on track and will be playing much more frequently - and hopefully a lot less trouble free. Thank you very much

@linguistisch 7 years ago

Great videos Matt! Such a great contribution and resource for us all

@dannyhembree1312 2 weeks ago

Thank you for your videos.....great information.

@gregoryalee2457 4 years ago

After comparing my current reed (which I dropped a couple of times) to a new one, I've decided to switch to the new one and start all over on breaking it in.

@billhendrix3983 5 years ago

My first venture into bagpipes. Haven’t bought anything yet, so your videos are very valuable research for me. I really like it that you get right to the point.

@Jimmie16 4 years ago

Dunk is the perfect word for it.

@markbassett609 7 years ago

Excellent video

@dakotasummers3831 6 years ago

Your insight and experience have helped me immensely. After working with several new chanter reeds, i finally got the full set going and sounding half way decent!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

@zacharyrowe8395 7 years ago

Thanks for this video. It helped me see that im doing things right. I need to get a canter manometer i think it will help getting chanter in tune

@glenkiely4182 7 years ago

Great video Matt. Cannot wait for the second one. Files & scrapers at hand!!

@michaelcerkez3895 2 years ago

Outstanding, very good with the basics that are needed.

@mikesadler7811 6 years ago

Once again Matt you have me on the right path. This was super.

@1Day_ata_Time 9 months ago

Great video! Thanks for the explanation! Its funny that u can even feel "out dated" with piping- i nearly fell off the chair when u said 482hz....I'm still at 455😂

@thereelpiper 6 years ago

Very nice Matt. Interesting, clear, very clear.

@SuperHeadcheese 5 years ago

Thank you so much. I’m a trumpet teacher and player. I love the pipes and have always wanted to learn. Some friends gave me an instrument and I’m very excited. Will definitely be calling on you for lessons.