Pipe chanter reeds

A pipe chanter reed made traditionally from cane

Partly covering a hole will flatten that particular note

The pipe chanter reed consists of two blades of cane and one copper staple, bound together with varnished hemp. This reed sits into the top of the pipe chanter in the chanter reed seat.

The pitch of the chanter can be altered by raising or sinking the reed in the reed seat. Generally speaking, the further the reed is raised, the flatter the overall sound. The lower the reed is sunk, the sharper the overall sound.

Once the player has decided on the general pitch required (mainly done by ear) each individual note on the chanter can be altered by partly covering the hole with black tape. This will result in the individual note being flattened. There is no way to sharpen an individual note, therefore the reed needs to be quite well sunk into the reed seat to begin with.

Squeezing the blades of the reed together will sharpen the overall sound. Moistening the reed will produce the opposite result and flatten the reed. These are temporary measures as the reed will fairly quickly return to its original condition.