Yes! An insturment that makes you want to go and drop a toaster in the bathtub whenever you think about playing it, the uilleann pipes.
Thanks, first, to all who were concerned about me about my valve problem, which I got fixed. And thanks to the good guy here in Missouri who said I could call him, trust me I just about was.
Now I have another interesting problem.
I have a fully keyed chanter, and some of my keys are getting stuck. I don't know what to do to remedy this. Can anyone help me please?
Thanks to all!
The pipes, are, an intriging beast, and I love them.
A Chara,
You can remove the key and clean it as the problem is usually caused by the build up of scum between the chanter and the wood, be careful when you remove the pin you push the right way as some of them are tapered. It can be cleaned with BRASSO but if you can get a luthier of some description preferably a pipe maker to polish the key(s) for you this would be better as BRASSO can leave a residue if it isn't cleaned and just add to the problem,
Ádh mór, Buzz.
There is a quicker way take a dollar or some form of currency in paper form put it under the key pad clsoe the key pad and move the dollar back and forth the keys should stop sticking. This is what they always told me to do in school when I had akey on my Bassoon that was sticky it always worked then. If the dollar method does not work you will probaly have to oil it.
there is a better method than the dollar, the rolling paper method. it is what silver flutists use to clean their keys. dollars dont work (although i think it might for different types of pads). you need to get UNWAXED rolling paper, and then put it under the keys, apply pressure, and do that a couple times. also, try not to blow in your pipes so much, its the moisture! haha, jk.
Ain't living with the octopus grand??? Didn't know you'd have to be a repair man, a wood worker plus a musican to play the thing. Think about the olde days in the 60s when you really had to go to Ireland to find and learn the instrument. Personnally, I'd take it to Tommy Martin and see what he says; don't need no stinking keys at your development level.
You can do as all have suggested; but one at a time since the block hole/key pin hole may be matched drilled and are really a pair. Never force anything; if it's stuck, you may not want to mess with it. Since they are new, they may just need some playing in; but, as I wrote before, you shouldn't be futzing with keys quite yet.
Have you gotten a regular scale out it yet; Bottom D to back D to a or b depending on the reed, with good pressure at the bag?? You are building up the automatic feel/response for how the bag feels and how many strokes the bellows require to top off the bag at this point in your piping life. Oh; how's the lack of death grip doing??? Or Not?? Have you had a lesson yet??? Keep us posted!
Jim Troy gives good advice, above - especially with the "one key at a time" approach.
I would add one thing: When you remove the pin (doing so VERY carefully, so as to prevent the pin from flying across the room and being lost forever) - inspect the pin to ensure it's good & straight.
I have recently had this problem develop on 3 keys (one on the chanter the others on the regs) and even after cleaning and some sanding of the wood blocks where the keys fit) I noticed a slight bend in the pin. This is what the problem was all along.
Before you remove anything - check with your maker. sometimes the wood of the key blocks will shift and warp ever so slightly - and it may be something a bit trickier than just a dirty mount. In rare instances the key slot may need to be re filed and cut true again. It doesn't take much with the tolerances used in most keyed chanters to throw the whole works off. But regardless of what it *may* be, ALWAYS consult your maker first.
When I used to play with a flute player way back when, he had an oldish flute (when it was made, slavery was still legal in this country) which had sticky keys. He decided, since he wasn't planning on playing in G# any time soon, to tie off the keys in question so they'd stay closed. Worked great.
Of course, if you want the keys to function, that's another story.
What a wonderful insturment!
What a wonderful insturment!
Yes! An insturment that makes you want to go and drop a toaster in the bathtub whenever you think about playing it, the uilleann pipes.
Thanks, first, to all who were concerned about me about my valve problem, which I got fixed. And thanks to the good guy here in Missouri who said I could call him, trust me I just about was.
Now I have another interesting problem.
I have a fully keyed chanter, and some of my keys are getting stuck. I don't know what to do to remedy this. Can anyone help me please?
Thanks to all!
The pipes, are, an intriging beast, and I love them.
# Posted on January 3rd 2005 by Harper_Lad
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
A Chara,
You can remove the key and clean it as the problem is usually caused by the build up of scum between the chanter and the wood, be careful when you remove the pin you push the right way as some of them are tapered. It can be cleaned with BRASSO but if you can get a luthier of some description preferably a pipe maker to polish the key(s) for you this would be better as BRASSO can leave a residue if it isn't cleaned and just add to the problem,
Ádh mór, Buzz.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by buzzer
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
I meant to say chanter and key,Buzz.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by buzzer
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
Oh yeah cleaned properly, i'm not having a good night here am i? Buzz
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by buzzer
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
There is a quicker way take a dollar or some form of currency in paper form put it under the key pad clsoe the key pad and move the dollar back and forth the keys should stop sticking. This is what they always told me to do in school when I had akey on my Bassoon that was sticky it always worked then. If the dollar method does not work you will probaly have to oil it.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
there is a better method than the dollar, the rolling paper method. it is what silver flutists use to clean their keys. dollars dont work (although i think it might for different types of pads). you need to get UNWAXED rolling paper, and then put it under the keys, apply pressure, and do that a couple times. also, try not to blow in your pipes so much, its the moisture! haha, jk.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by daiv
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
Ain't living with the octopus grand??? Didn't know you'd have to be a repair man, a wood worker plus a musican to play the thing. Think about the olde days in the 60s when you really had to go to Ireland to find and learn the instrument. Personnally, I'd take it to Tommy Martin and see what he says; don't need no stinking keys at your development level.
You can do as all have suggested; but one at a time since the block hole/key pin hole may be matched drilled and are really a pair. Never force anything; if it's stuck, you may not want to mess with it. Since they are new, they may just need some playing in; but, as I wrote before, you shouldn't be futzing with keys quite yet.
Have you gotten a regular scale out it yet; Bottom D to back D to a or b depending on the reed, with good pressure at the bag?? You are building up the automatic feel/response for how the bag feels and how many strokes the bellows require to top off the bag at this point in your piping life. Oh; how's the lack of death grip doing??? Or Not?? Have you had a lesson yet??? Keep us posted!
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by I_Fel
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
Jim Troy gives good advice, above - especially with the "one key at a time" approach.
I would add one thing: When you remove the pin (doing so VERY carefully, so as to prevent the pin from flying across the room and being lost forever) - inspect the pin to ensure it's good & straight.
I have recently had this problem develop on 3 keys (one on the chanter the others on the regs) and even after cleaning and some sanding of the wood blocks where the keys fit) I noticed a slight bend in the pin. This is what the problem was all along.
Good luck, proceed carefully.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by brianc
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
Before you remove anything - check with your maker. sometimes the wood of the key blocks will shift and warp ever so slightly - and it may be something a bit trickier than just a dirty mount. In rare instances the key slot may need to be re filed and cut true again. It doesn't take much with the tolerances used in most keyed chanters to throw the whole works off. But regardless of what it *may* be, ALWAYS consult your maker first.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by uilleann_craic
Re: What a wonderful insturment!
When I used to play with a flute player way back when, he had an oldish flute (when it was made, slavery was still legal in this country) which had sticky keys. He decided, since he wasn't planning on playing in G# any time soon, to tie off the keys in question so they'd stay closed. Worked great.
Of course, if you want the keys to function, that's another story.
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by Jon Kiparsky