There are several reasons why a reed might fail quickly. Overblowing a reed will cause early failure. I liken it to constantly over-revving a car engine. The reed blades are overworked and under too much stress.
If a reed is exposed to extremes of wet and dry, the blades will most likely gap or start to curl away from each other at the sides. This will make the reed sound pretty awful.
Leaving reeds in the sun or other hot location will cause the cane to dry out. Dry reed blades will shrink, the dimensions will change and the reed will no longer sound good.
Capping reeds that are too wet will cause mold to grow. This can interfere with the function of the reed and lead to its early demise.
These are the most common reasons for early reed failure.
Common Reed Sense
Finding the right reed and keeping it in good working order is the goal of every piper. Today’s social media gives us access to a lot of advice – some helpful, some not so much. Be mindful about taking advice. If a ‘tip’ sounds a little far-fetched, it probably is and most likely will not work. Use your common sense and follow these six rules for keeping your chanter reed in good working order. If you follow these six simple rules, your chanter reed should last you a good long time.
- Play a reed that suits you – not too hard or too soft.
- If the reed is wet, allow it to dry a bit before capping.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Fit a moisture control system in your pipes that is appropriate for your climate.
- Try to maintain a stable level of moisture on the reeds – never too wet or too dry.
- Use the proper tools for adjustment.