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bagpipe-digest       Tuesday, December 14 1999       Volume 01 : Number 221




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:47:55 GMT
From: aberdeen <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Phone Problems

We've had some technical problems recently at Aberdeen Bagpipe Supply,
which have caused some messages left on the our answering machine to be
deleted before we've heard them.  The problem has been corrected, but if
you have left a message for us recently and not received a response,
please try again.  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have
caused.

All the best,

Jim
- --
Jim Hudgins
Aberdeen Bagpipe Supply
<http://www.AberdeenBagpipe.com>


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:09:28 -0000
From: "Peter Anderson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Piping at Hogmanay

- --
Peter Anderson
Hugh Hamilton <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:[e-mail]...
> Mmmm
>
>
> On chatting to some of the pipers locally - Midlands of England -  who are
> good enough to play at New Year, I have noticed that few of them are
> playing at Hogmanay - New Years Eve - they have mentioned that a lot of
> events have been canceled - too expensive etc
>
> Is this happening elsewhere??
>
> Hugh

Same thing down here (Surrey in the UK).  We have in our band a guy that
runs a music agency and he tells us the whole thing is undersold.  Most
people I know are having private parties.  The main reason it seems that
things are quiet is that it is unlikely that you will ever get a taxi to get
you back home again.



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 00:43:01 -0800
From: "Todd" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Regarding Blowing Tone

Bob,

I laughed too, at the 'Prepared' comment.  But you seem overly shaken by
'whoever' said "[she] just wasn't prepared".  You spend a lot of time
impugning the 'wisdom' of the newsgroup (or individuals who participate on
it).  We are all aware of the inherent weaknesses and fallibility - we don't
need to be lectured on ways to investigate our detractors.   Like much of
the net, about 90% of the stuff here is shear crap (I think we at RMMB do a
little better than some groups).  Most of us take it with a grain of salt.

As for the 'Preparedness' comment someone made...

There is a "BIG DIFFERENCE" between not being prepared; and, tuning 'til the
last minute.  Intonation is Intonation;  and I think pipers should be
RELENTLESS in it's pursuit.  I believe there is every reason a piper should
tune her pipes WHENEVER necessary  --  whether 10 hours or 10 seconds before
a performance.  We all know that:  Climatic Conditions, The Steward's
Schedule, and the player's warm-up pattern and desire to be in her Optimal
Tone-Window, play havoc on the taping pattern on the chanter.  And it is a
MOVING TARGET --  Ya gotta tune!

Still, I can remember when tuning was impossible to a fine degree, simply
because I did not have my pipes set up well.  So at some level, Preparedness
*is* an issue.  I think it's good to take into consideration all levels of
ability when reading(/responding to) this group.

Cheers
Todd

Bob Dunsire <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:[e-mail]...
> Greetings,
>
> I guess I did step in it when I contributed to the thread on the subject
of
> Blowing Tone. It occurs to me that there may be people on the NG with
strong
> opinions (duh) that have perhaps never actually heard Great Tone.  I've
been
> hoping to see more people share their views of  Great Tone - but I know
all too
> well why that has not happened.
>
> Hoping to help, I think there is some 'meat' that could be added to the
> discussion. I thought it would be of interest to the NG to get some
> 'expert' views, (this ended up being so interesting to me that I'll
> probably be writing an article for our (BCPA) newsletter in the near
future on
> the subject).
>
>
> And finally: Do you ever wonder about the people posting here on RMMB?
Take a
> look at Deja News.  In addition to their RMMB postings, you can also see
their
> other NG postings (and in some cases that'll scare ya). With a little time
> there you could learn about your 'favourite' RMMB poster - and decide if
their
> advice is worth considering. A lot of strong opinions are expressed here,
and
> some may not be too valuable.  All part of the fun of NewsGroups.
>





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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:38:33 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Treasures under the bed

O.K. so what does an excessive compulsive workaholic piper do in his spare
time?

Last night I visited an old friend, who just so happened to have a box of
pipe parts.  This is the third such box of parts that I've picked up over
the past couple of months.  In the box I found some Henderson parts from the
early 1900's.  Two wood mount tenor bottoms, matching long joint, mid
section (bass) and blowpipe.  Identical match for my own horn!  I've only
seen a couple others like it over the years, so this was a particularly
sweet "find" for me.  I was able to search through my own basement and come
up with matching Henderson bass top, tenors tops and a set of stocks.  These
were salvaged from other treasure hunts over the years.  Now I'll bring them
back into playing order, after a thorough cleaning, oiling, polish the
bores, a fresh protective coat, and some TLC.  With a bit of luck, they'll
respond by producing some of the sweetest music this side of heaven.  Next
job is to find a good home for them.

(the box contained other "treasures" that will wait for patiently for
matching parts.)

Last month I restored two sets of flat-combed ebony Lawrie drones from
around 1920.  Absolutely beautiful both in look and sound.  Again, these
treasures were lying around in someone's basement, heavy with dust and
grime.  I don't have a lot of experience with ebony, so I was particularly
pleased to experience the rich mellow sound that they produce.

Last year I restored a set of Glen drones ca 1900.  About a month ago a guy
called me up looking for a set of pipes.  He wanted something rich and
mellow, like the set he heard played at a church recently in Connecticut.
You guessed it.  It was the same Glen I rescued from that attic in Hamilton.

So what does an excessive compulsive workaholic piper do in his spare time?
...Indulge his weakness.

Good piping
Ringo





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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 09:58:12 +0000
From: [e-mail] (Hugh Hamilton)
Subject: (bagpipe) Piping at Hogmanay

Mmmm


On chatting to some of the pipers locally - Midlands of England -  who are
good enough to play at New Year, I have noticed that few of them are
playing at Hogmanay - New Years Eve - they have mentioned that a lot of
events have been canceled - too expensive etc

Is this happening elsewhere??

Hugh


Also - what would you play at 12 midnight!
Piping is my hobby....so I am allowed to be bad at it!

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 05:54:08 -0800
From: Ccc31807 <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: help...with Crisler tie-in

I use a wooden dowel the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the
bottom of the stock. I run the dowel through the end of the bag and
align the rod with the location of the hole. Then I use a utility knife
and make three "pie" cuts (like an asterisk, *) across the end of the
rod, slightly smaller still than the end of the rod. Never had a
problem.


* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!


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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:56:57 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

I'd like to comment, however in a constructive manner.  This is not a flame,
however may wind up being somewhat controversial.  So be it.  I think that
John is getting a bit of a rough ride here, perhaps moreso than his initial
post deserves.  My comments are not directed at you, Mark, however this
seemed like a good place to jump into this thread.  Comments from all are
welcome.

I'm very positive on the concept of innovation.  Over the years, the GHB has
experienced several changes, improvements, enhancements.  Can you imagine
the horror of the original "purists" when the bass drone first appeared?
It's not surprising that we have people lining up on either side of the
fence, although, in my opinion, neither side is probably the "right" place
to be.

Mark deserves a lot of credit for creating the "Rocket Reed."  The tone is
superior to many synthetic reeds on the market today.  I think that if he
chooses to further innovate, he will improve his reeds to satisfy the larger
market.  Whether or not this is in Mark's plans, I cannot say.

John raises the issue of "adjustments."  I am assuming that this is based on
at least some personal experience with the reeds.  I have a set of Mark's
reeds and have corroborated my findings with other respected pipers who have
also tried them.

1) According to Mark, the reeds are customized for a particular generation
and make of bagpipe.  In my experience this must be extremely challenging,
as so many differences crept into so many bagpipes over the years.  I have
experienced extreme differences in the performance of the reeds from bagpipe
to bagpipe (I've got 11 sets in the house right now) so I am assuming that
the Rocket Reed is indeed "customized" as Mark claims.  I have also heard
stories of the Rocket Reeds being shipped back and forth between owner and
creator, as adjustments were made until the "right" setting was found.

2) The reeds are also "set" by Mark for the strength of chanter reed that
you blow.  I blow various strength reeds year round.  And some days my
chanter reed is tougher than other days.  I have experienced dramatic
changes in performance in the Rocket Reeds when playing chanter reeds of
even slightly different strength.

3) Adjustments in pitch are made by placing filler into the cavity of the
nose-cone.  More filler, the sharper the pitch.  Scoop the filler out, lower
the pitch.  (Note that the bass reed did not have this cavity in the nose
cone, so adjustments were restricted to changes in the bridle.)  Also some
adjustment is possible by moving the bridle, however this dramatically
affects performance of the reed.  It can go from muffled to roaring with the
smallest of bridle adjustments.

4) Although I have not experienced this, I am told that the reeds can act up
when going from an air conditioned house into the heat of the summer
outside.  Most reeds will require some adjustment under these conditions, so
this in itself is not surprising.  However, again the issue of making
adjustments comes into play.

5) A good set of cane, and some other synthetic reeds, will "pop and settle"
into tune when you strike the bag.  My Rocket Reeds prefer to "squeal" into
tune, which I find annoying.  Once in tune, they sound great, however I
cannot imagine myself at the line waiting for the PM's command knowing that
my reeds were going to behave like this.

6) The reeds won't shut off by "toping" the drone.  Unless you're able to
tune your drones while they're all going, this can be a problem.

So, I would ask the following questions:
1) Why the pointy end?  I almost killed myself on more than one occasion.
2) Why no external pitch adjustment plug or screw?
3) What about bridle adjustments?  Are they recommended or not?  Is so, to
what degree?
4) What about the propensity to squeal?
5) What about the "toping off" problem?  Is this normal?
6) and what about custom reeds for particular bagpipes, chanter reed
strength, etc.  Is this practical?

Please don't get me wrong with any of this.  A sincere and hearty
"Congratulations" to Mark on producing a reed with excellent tone.  I think
the sound is terrific.  But what about these other factors?  It may be that
Mark's business plans don't call for mass production, a "Plug 'n Play reed,
or otherwise supplying the masses, which I respect.

My preference... Certainly those who prefer the Rocket Reed will speak to
clarify/explain/defend, which is the case with every product on the market.
Those comments are welcome.  There may be those who feel that the Rocket
Reed is not the answer for them, for various reasons.  Those comments, too,
are welcome.

My preference... That we do not engage in vicious and malicious slamming of
this (or any other) product or name calling.

In closing, I just felt that John's initial post deserved a civil response.

Let the games begin!

Thanks
Ringo




<[e-mail]> wrote in message news:831u27$fm7$[e-mail]...
> In article <[e-mail]>,
>   [e-mail] (Royce Lerwick) wrote:
> > On Sat, 11 Dec 1999 15:55:40 -0500, "JOHN MITCHELL"
> > <[e-mail]> wrote:
> >
> > >When weather conditions can change rapidly during the course
> > >of the day and reeds open up and  change pitch, can this
> > >reed be adjusted to match. Also with bands having players
> > >at different levels of blowing and playing ability does this reed
> sound
> > >practical for band use if they cannot be adjusted?
> >
> > No, the bridles consist of large stainless steel rivets set through
> > the body, anchored with large washers and they are set by Mark at the
> > bench to whatever exact pitch and strength he personally feels you
> > should be playing at. I'll mention that to him though, because I'm
> > sure it never occured to him to make some way to adjust the pitch or
> > make them a little harder or softer in the field. That's pretty
> > insightful John.
> >
> > Royce
>
> I've just now started working on the problem of getting them to fit
> down the stocks.  Should I include a 3 lb. sledge with which to drive
> them in?
>
> I should've made a way to tune them, especially for pipers who've super-
> glued their tenor tops in place.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:54:04 -0500
From: Ed Via <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Practice chanter reeds!

Amen to that. My son and I both play Jerry's practice chanter, with his
new PC reeds, and they are great. We also both play Gibson pipes, and
couldn't be happier with them. No ferrules falling off or anything, can
ya believe! :*) I have the new stainless steel ferrules, and it's a fine
looking set of pipes. But even if they weren't nice looking pipes, we
wouldn't trade our Gibson drones for anything, because it's the sound
you buy 'em for, and I've not heard a "modern" makers drones that
compare to Jerry's.



Chris Hamilton wrote:
>
> On 13 Dec 1999 23:04:47 GMT, [e-mail] (Bagpiip) wrote:
>
> >> qaulity
> >
> >Thank god you didn't use the word "quality" in the same sentance as Gibson...
> >Bill
>
> Now THAT was uncool.  Jerry makes the best practice chanters I've
> played or heard.

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:19:01 GMT
From: Brian Counihan <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Treasures under the bed

Ron,

  I can't tell you how many times I've dreamed about stumbling upon
treasures such as those.

  Here's an opposite experience I had last night at practice. The
young brother of one of our pipers came to practice last night for the
first time. He has been playing pipes in a local High School band and
brought in his school issued pipes. Out of curiosity I took a moment to
examine them. There were 2 mismatched parts, a tenor bottom looking
almost brand new, one tenor top with old deep orangey imt. ivory. The
rest was all ivory!......in about the worst condition I've ever seen
ivory in. Chipped, cracked, split, dirty, dinged etc etc.

 I almost wanted to cry.

- --
Brian C.
http://www.stcolumcille.com/
"If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it
makes beer shoot out your nose." - Deep Thought, Jack Handy


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

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------------------------------

Date: 14 Dec 1999 12:20:34 -0500
From: "Matt Buckley" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: How do I blow tone.

ALIXGUNN <[e-mail]> wrote in article

>    I love it when they drag out their manometers, and their cubic
measures, and
> their scientific precepts ...and then start talking about bagpipes.  One
of the
> most remedial instruments around, and they insist on making it harder to
> understand than it already is.


In fairness to Richard Mao, who suggested to me use of the
manometer as well as the tuning meter, I did spend yesterday
evening working with the tuning meter, and found it to be a
great help.  Although my waver constituted a change of only
about 2-3 cents on the meter, that change did point to exactly
where I needed to adjust, and corresponded exactly to the
subtle change in tone quality.  By the end of the evening, I was
blowing pretty steady.  However, now the hard part - going from blowing a
single solid note to playing the tunes!

Cheers.  Matt



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:16:27 -0500
From: "Ewan A. Macpherson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Search for Donald MacLeod Tapes

JFMACR wrote:
>
> I have a copy of one of John MacLellan's  Instructional Piping tape No. 5 that
> contains "A full exposition of CANNTAIREACHD the Piper's articulate music."
>
> I also have the booklet that goes with it. It contains part of the piobaireachd
> - "The Duke of Atholl's Salute."
>
> I would be interested in knowing where I might find others.

I know Scot's Den in Ohio carries the MacLellan tape series:
http://www.scotsden.com/catalog/music/index.html#maclellan

- --
Ewan Macpherson               <[e-mail]>
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~emacpher/pipes.html

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------------------------------

Date: 14 Dec 1999 17:55:23 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Bob Dunsire)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Regarding Blowing Tone

Hi Todd,

I appreciate the comment, it has not been my intent to impugn or to lecture. I
will watch myself more carefully (I'll try).

Getting out to piping events as often as I can I find that I discuss NG threads
with a lot of people, and from time to time I respond to a FTF question / issue
on the NG - thinking it will help others.  In the last few weeks I have had a
few discussions with NG readers about Deja News, so I thought I'd share some
information.  I understand your point.

Yes - a grain, or a handful of salt it important, I guess I get (got) carried
away warning of this when I start thinking about the responses I hear (FTF) to
issues / answers raised on the NG.

Oh - shaken.. not by the comment <<be prepared>>, as I mentioned, we found it,
(and a number of other comments)  to be quite funny - but then I started to
think, what if others take this stuff seriously?.. And there I was..

>I laughed too, at the 'Prepared' comment.  But you seem overly shaken by
>'whoever' said "[she] just wasn't prepared".  You spend a lot of time
>impugning the 'wisdom' of the newsgroup (or individuals who participate on
>it).  We are all aware of the inherent weaknesses and fallibility - we don't
>need to be lectured on ways to investigate our detractors.   Like much of
>the net, about 90% of the stuff here is shear crap (I think we at RMMB do a
>little better than some groups).  Most of us take it with a grain of salt.
>


Bob D.
- -------------
(having much fun with web pages, including:
http://members.aol.com/bdunsire
http://members.aol.com/bagpipeweb (Bagpipe Web Directory - 1000+ links)
http://www.user.dccnet.com/bcpipers/index.htm (BC Pipers' Association))

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 17:14:31 GMT
From: aberdeen <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: help...with Crisler tie-in

If you can't find anyone in your area to show you, let me know and I'll
be glad to snail mail you some detail instructions I've written out.
I've been told by those who followed them that they were pretty easy to
follow.

All the best,

Jim


In article <[e-mail]>,
  Bryan Little <[e-mail]> wrote:
> My new set of Crisler drones just came in, and I need help getting
them
> tied into my bag.
>
> My pipe guru is unavailable until late January, and I'd like to get
this
> set ready for Chrismas Eve.
> Are there any pipers in the Richmond, Virginia area who would be
willing
> to perform a tie-in for a neophyte......?
>
> Bryan Little
>
>

- --
Jim Hudgins
Aberdeen Bagpipe Supply
<http://www.AberdeenBagpipe.com>


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 17:19:25 GMT
From: Bill Carr <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

 Hi Ron

Ron Bowen wrote:

> Comments from all are welcome.

Ron. I'll jump in on this one with a few comments based on my own
experience with Marks reeds.

> I have a set of Mark's reeds and have corroborated my findings with other respected pipers who have
> also tried them.

Did you get the reeds from Mark? This is probably the most important
point because if you got them from someone else who also got them from
someone else then you can't possibly make a fair assessment on them
because: THEY ARE CUSTOM MADE FOR EACH DRONE/PIPER combination.

>
> 3) Adjustments in pitch are made by placing filler into the cavity of the
> nose-cone.  More filler, the sharper the pitch.  Scoop the filler out, lower
> the pitch.  (Note that the bass reed did not have this cavity in the nose
> cone, so adjustments were restricted to changes in the bridle.)

You can easily flatten the bass drone reed and/or the tenors by placing
a small amount of wax on the tongue (Something that Smallpipers have
been doing forever but which seems to be beyond the realm of
understanding for GHB pipers) This also makes the bass less likely to
howl or roar on strike in. Works on cane reeds too.

> Also some adjustment is possible by moving the bridle, however this dramatically affects performance of the > reed.  It can go from muffled to roaring with the smallest of bridle adjustments.

Name a synthetic reed that doesn't have this same "Bridle Sensitivity"

>
> 5) A good set of cane, and some other synthetic reeds, will "pop and settle"
> into tune when you strike the bag.  My Rocket Reeds prefer to "squeal" into
> tune, which I find annoying.

I have two sets of Rockets. Neither of them "squeal" in to tune. They
all go AAAAHHHHHH.......HHHHMMMMM! just like the most well behaved canes
you can imagine.

>
> 6) The reeds won't shut off by "toping" the drone.  Unless you're able to
> tune your drones while they're all going, this can be a problem.

Both my sets shut off by "topping" the drone top. Start them again by
"popping" the drone top. I can also shut them off by increasing the bag
pressure. Still..they have plenty of volume and "presence". Just listen
to the "Tone Contest" entry number 8 Shoshana. (Sorry Chris Eye...I
needed to use this as an example).

Just as a matter of interest. One of the my sets of Rockets were
actually made to go in a set of Kron drones. They are, however,
adjustable enough that I can easily set them up to play in my 1920
Lawries. In fact I  think I have the tenors in right now.


Bill Carr


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------------------------------

Date: 14 Dec 1999 19:01:42 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Jginmd)
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: How do I blow tone.

> Okay. I'll play your reindeer game but a couple comments first.
>Lighten up!

Sorry. I do a much better job verbally. I am not as heavy handed in person.

>Your two comments on "some guy with an
>accent" and "that's-the-way-it-has-always-been-done-so-it-must-be-
>right" are a bit bold considering you've never met me

Tell me they don't dominate the piping world.

> Your words hint that
>your not from Scotland so you might not understand or respect exactly
>what the standard of piping is in Scotland.

I am not from Scotland.


> My last point is
>that your reasoning proofs seem to try to expose an inaptitude in
>either my rhetorical abilities or a general lack of education which is
>more of a character judgement than a comment on tone (which really is
>the issue at hand in case you forgot).

That was not my intention. I am sorry for representing myself badly.

>Oh, one last thing. I think the best interpretation of being
>Classically trained in piping would be that one learned with
>Canntaireachd which doesn't involve written music.

You misunderstood the reference. I was using the term to refer to training in
regular western music. I do use the canntaireachd though.

> Now go on and try my
>method before you continue to argue my point. If you don't wish to then
>just say "I don't care to support your statement because it defies my
>knowledge of theory and I don't feel it would be worth my time to test
>it" and be done with it.

I have done what you suggest and that method of operation results in poor drone
intonation as I reasoned in previous posts. Could it be (please don't take this
the wrong way) that you are talking about playing in a band?
As I have said before, I do what you are suggesting there as a last ditch
effort to stay in tune. Could it be that standing behind the pipes, as you are
when you play, you aren't as aware of your intonation or don't hear it as well
as you might standing off a ways?
JGS

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Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 18:17:16 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Ken, what a great post.  Especially liked your comments about what works for
one, might not work for another and about those who make broad unilateral
statements.  Not sure about the "pointy end" thing.  I swear by inverted
bass drone reeds.  No aerodynamics there!  Great stuff.  Thanks.
Ringo
Ken MacKenzie <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:[e-mail]...
> On Tue, 14 Dec 1999 15:56:57 GMT, "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
> wrote:
>
> >So, I would ask the following questions:
> I have been using Mark's reeds for about five months. We went back and
> forth a few times to get where I was happy and now these are my
> observations. Not opinions except in the first instance but what I
> actually find.
> >1) Why the pointy end?  I almost killed myself on more than one occasion.
> I understand this in some way *smooths* the flow of air as it
> approaches the blade of the reed. whether makes any difference I can't
> say.
> >2) Why no external pitch adjustment plug or screw?
> This  would seem to me a better design without moving parts. The less
> there is to loosen and move about at unexpected times the more
> efficient it will be over time.
> >3) What about bridle adjustments?  Are they recommended or not?  Is so,
to
> >what degree?
> I have had to adjust my bass with the bridle. I find that by just
> putting pressure on it in the direction I want it to go seems to move
> it enough to make a difference even though I can't feel any actual
> movement. No discernable movement towards the reed seat yet the reed
> will open up to the extent it takes so much air I can barely keep it
> going. Very touchy and I don't have a problem with different strength
> chanter reeds. The drones work over a fairly wide range of chanter
> reeds.
> >4) What about the propensity to squeal?
> Doesn't happen to me but when another piper played my pipes he
> couldn't get them up without a squeal. I don't tap the bag, I just
> blow it up to near full and when I want to strike in I give another
> good puff and it all comes together like a well set up cane system
> would. (Is that an oxymoron?)
> >5) What about the "toping off" problem?  Is this normal?
> Doesn't happen to me with Mark's reeds although I had this problem
> with Henderson plastics.
> >6) and what about custom reeds for particular bagpipes, chanter reed
> >strength, etc.  Is this practical?
> It is for me since I only have one set of GHB, now. I can shift to
> stronger or weaker chanter reeds and still get the same efficiency
> form the drones but I will qualify this in that I don't play anything
> close to the gut busters I used to. I would gauge my reeds to go from
> the easy side of medium up to the easy side of hard but mainly in the
> medium range. I did have a bit of a problem with the bass stopping at
> the high end but that was where I nudged the bridle and it fixed it up
> immediately.
>
> All in all I have to say I am very pleased with what I have in Mark's
> reeds. They are reliable to the extent that other than to give them a
> push to make sure they are firmly seated once in a while I never think
> about them. I can't say this has ever been the case in the many years
> up until now I have been piping and I have tried them all.
> >
> I think Ringo and any other piper who has many years of experience
> realizes that no one innovation in our game is going to be of benefit
> to every one. Some things just won't work for many of us while it will
> be the answer to others most fervent prayers. I still see things in
> the shops that look good but for the life of me I can't find a use for
> where the guy next to me swears by it. I am always ready to try any
> thing that may make it easier to get to the playing part of piping and
> spend less time on the tinkering. These reeds are the best thing for
> me that I have found so far. Many others will have found another make
> to be the answer for them. To state that this or that is the only way
> for us all to go is a sure fire way to demonstrate a lack of
> experience.
> By this I am not trying to get anyones goat. I just get a bit steamed
> when I see someone post that XXX reed-bag-valve is useless and no one
> should even think of using them. I find that the people who make this
> kind of statement need a bit more exposure to the different climates
> and conditions our instrument is played in as well as remembering that
> there are all levels of experience involved. Some of us can get
> anything to work where many of us are still floundering around in the
> dark.
>
> Where is the next thing that keeps me going gonna pop up from? I'm
> soon going to need an iron lung to keep playing so all you innovative
> types keep at it in your basements so I can keep piping for another 50
> years.
>
> Ken
>
> Ken MacKenzie
> [e-mail]
> Sechelt, BC Canada
> Height by genetics---Width by brewery.
> http://users.uniserve.com/~akmack



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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:54:42 -0500
From: "Ewan A. Macpherson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Rowan Tree (facts)

Bentley Wall wrote:

> when asked (again) what the hell a Rowan Tree was...I decided to post
> this.  This info has been gathered from the web.  The medical section
> was from a place that specified no redistribution so I took most of the
> medical stuff out and left mostly just the general knowledge stuff in
> there.
> Hey most of the medical stuff was the same as every other kind of mildly
>
> toxic plant or berry (don't eat it; if you do see a doctor right away)

Really?  I've eaten rowan jelly many times with no ill effects.
Here's a recipe:
http://oregonlive.com/gardening/vern/garvern981224.html

This site also lists the berries as edible:
http://www.u-net.com/trees/p5-25.htm

- --
Ewan Macpherson               <[e-mail]>
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~emacpher/pipes.html

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:19:50 -0500
From: "Ewan A. Macpherson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: Bagpipe ORAL TRADITION?

Bagpiip wrote:
>
> >Try
> >http://www.ling.gu.se/~svenax/mpd/Music/Canntaireachd/canntaireachd.html

> I got a message saying "the resource requested cannot be found".

It's now at:
http://www.ling.gu.se/~svenax/mpd/music_canntaireachd.html

- --
Ewan Macpherson               <[e-mail]>
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~emacpher/pipes.html

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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 18:07:22 GMT
From: "Ron Bowen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (bagpipe) Re: REVIEW: Mark Lee's Rocket's (drone reeds)

Thanks Bill, really good comments/insights.  Yes I did get the reeds direct
from Mark and I will also confess that I have not been completely faithful
to them, but then I am so inclined with other synthetic reeds.  With only
the smallest amount of tongue in cheek, I will also admit that I know my way
around drone reeds, both synthetic and cane.  The Rocket Reed is very
unique....  couple quick comments:
1) There are several techniques to flatten the bass drone pitch.  What about
to sharpen the pitch, as in an old pipe that likes to tune low on the pin?
2) You're right about the bridle sensitivity of synthetic reeds.  The Ross
synthetic (black plastic with the cane tongue) reed is the least sensitive
of all of them.  I would rate the Rocket no higher than the most sensitive
of the lot.  I guess I was more concerned about the effects of bridle
adjustment than the amount of bridle adjustment.

Thanks
Ringo


Bill Carr <[e-mail]> wrote in message
news:[e-mail]...
> Hi Ron
>
> Ron Bowen wrote:
>
> > Comments from all are welcome.
>
> Ron. I'll jump in on this one with a few comments based on my own
> experience with Marks reeds.
>
> > I have a set of Mark's reeds and have corroborated my findings with
other respected pipers who have
> > also tried them.
>
> Did you get the reeds from Mark? This is probably the most important
> point because if you got them from someone else who also got them from
> someone else then you can't possibly make a fair assessment on them
> because: THEY ARE CUSTOM MADE FOR EACH DRONE/PIPER combination.
>
> >
> > 3) Adjustments in pitch are made by placing filler into the cavity of
the
> > nose-cone.  More filler, the sharper the pitch.  Scoop the filler out,
lower
> > the pitch.  (Note that the bass reed did not have this cavity in the
nose
> > cone, so adjustments were restricted to changes in the bridle.)
>
> You can easily flatten the bass drone reed and/or the tenors by placing
> a small amount of wax on the tongue (Something that Smallpipers have
> been doing forever but which seems to be beyond the realm of
> understanding for GHB pipers) This also makes the bass less likely to
> howl or roar on strike in. Works on cane reeds too.
>
> > Also some adjustment is possible by moving the bridle, however this
dramatically affects performance of the > reed.  It can go from muffled to
roaring with the smallest of bridle adjustments.
>
> Name a synthetic reed that doesn't have this same "Bridle Sensitivity"
>
> >
> > 5) A good set of cane, and some other synthetic reeds, will "pop and
settle"
> > into tune when you strike the bag.  My Rocket Reeds prefer to "squeal"
into
> > tune, which I find annoying.
>
> I have two sets of Rockets. Neither of them "squeal" in to tune. They
> all go AAAAHHHHHH.......HHHHMMMMM! just like the most well behaved canes
> you can imagine.
>
> >
> > 6) The reeds won't shut off by "toping" the drone.  Unless you're able
to
> > tune your drones while they're all going, this can be a problem.
>
> Both my sets shut off by "topping" the drone top. Start them again by
> "popping" the drone top. I can also shut them off by increasing the bag
> pressure. Still..they have plenty of volume and "presence". Just listen
> to the "Tone Contest" entry number 8 Shoshana. (Sorry Chris Eye...I
> needed to use this as an example).
>
> Just as a matter of interest. One of the my sets of Rockets were
> actually made to go in a set of Kron drones. They are, however,
> adjustable enough that I can easily set them up to play in my 1920
> Lawries. In fact I  think I have the tenors in right now.
>
>
> Bill Carr
>



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------------------------------

End of bagpipe-digest V1 #221
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