need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
hello,
does anyone know what can I do, I have an Uillean chanter
made by Ray Sloan, and while all the other notes including low D are in tune the middle D comes so flat as nearly 30 cents off
on A 440 tuning
anything I can do to bring just that note up? sharpen it?
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
The obvious thing to do is undercut it, which means filing off the top inside 'corner' so that the hole enters the chanter further up. The outlet remains in the same place and of the same size, but the internal part is nearer the reed.
Another way is to scoop a hollow where your thumb sits, which shortens the 'chimney', and makes the note higher.
You could try pushing the reed a little further in, but that might also sharpen your other notes, especially the B and C.
Another thing you could do is to tape over all the other holes, or insert rushes, and bring the notes down by 30 cents to match.
Or contact Ray Sloan and see what he says.
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Cutting off the bottom of the chanter would certainly raise the pitch, but as others have pointed out, probably not a good place to start!
I think pipers have to be ready to jump in and mess around with reeds when required -- unless you have ready access to your private reed maker.
Probably the reed is too long and should be trimmed -- but, before doing something you can't take back, just try and push it farther into the chanter -- that will raise the pitch, too (although more for the back than the bottom d).
Finally, check the bottom of the chanter to see if someone has used a "rush" to flatten the bottom d -- that would be a small piece of something or other placed in the bottom inch or so of the chanter.
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
And throw away the tuner -- use a drone to check the pitch, and always play for at least fifteen minutes before making a decision as to what is flat or sharp,
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Maybe your back d is on but everything else is sharp?
Is your playing pressure is too low, or you have a leak?
I love my Sloan chanter, and started making reeds for it. If i get better at it I will send you one.
need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
hello,
does anyone know what can I do, I have an Uillean chanter
made by Ray Sloan, and while all the other notes including low D are in tune the middle D comes so flat as nearly 30 cents off
on A 440 tuning
anything I can do to bring just that note up? sharpen it?
thanks a lot
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by Yooval
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
The obvious thing to do is undercut it, which means filing off the top inside 'corner' so that the hole enters the chanter further up. The outlet remains in the same place and of the same size, but the internal part is nearer the reed.
Another way is to scoop a hollow where your thumb sits, which shortens the 'chimney', and makes the note higher.
You could try pushing the reed a little further in, but that might also sharpen your other notes, especially the B and C.
Another thing you could do is to tape over all the other holes, or insert rushes, and bring the notes down by 30 cents to match.
Or contact Ray Sloan and see what he says.
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by gam
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
DO NOT TOUCH THE REED OR THE CHANTER WITHOUT TALKING TO THE PIPEMAKER.
There are remedies to the problem but your pipemaker is your best resource for determining a fix.
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Yooval, any changes made to a reed may be sorted out by replacing the reed. Any changes made to your chanter cannot be undone.
I cannot belive that the first reply started of by suggesting physical changes to the chanter, and then lastly suggesting talking to the maker!
Best to talk to the maker or a reedmaker. Then, too, try and learn how to make oyur own reeds.
Here is some advice from a reedmaker:
http://www.reedshaman.co.uk/maintenance.html
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by Feargal French
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
thanks kind people for the help and information, I will start first with the obvious , contacting Ray Sloan then
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by Yooval
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
I would have thought it obvious that physically altering the chanter is to be avoided, even as a last resort. It was meant to be satirical.
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by gam
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Now he tells me.
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
I can sell you some glue...
# Posted on July 26th 2011 by gam
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Cutting off the bottom of the chanter would certainly raise the pitch, but as others have pointed out, probably not a good place to start!
I think pipers have to be ready to jump in and mess around with reeds when required -- unless you have ready access to your private reed maker.
Probably the reed is too long and should be trimmed -- but, before doing something you can't take back, just try and push it farther into the chanter -- that will raise the pitch, too (although more for the back than the bottom d).
Finally, check the bottom of the chanter to see if someone has used a "rush" to flatten the bottom d -- that would be a small piece of something or other placed in the bottom inch or so of the chanter.
# Posted on July 27th 2011 by Piper's Joy
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
And throw away the tuner -- use a drone to check the pitch, and always play for at least fifteen minutes before making a decision as to what is flat or sharp,
# Posted on July 27th 2011 by gam
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
That could have gone badly, Gam.
I know of a novice fiddler who was advised by some geriatric idjit to file his F-holes wider for greater volume.
Sad ending for a nice fiddle.
Oops.
"sh*tte occurreth."
# Posted on July 27th 2011 by Piece
Re: need help- middle D too low on Ray Sloan Uillean chanter
Maybe your back d is on but everything else is sharp?
Is your playing pressure is too low, or you have a leak?
I love my Sloan chanter, and started making reeds for it. If i get better at it I will send you one.
# Posted on July 30th 2011 by pyper