If your pipes are hard to blow it may not necessarily be the chanter reed. It’s easy to assume that the reed is just too hard, but the problem may lie elsewhere and sometimes it’s somewhere you’d not think to look.
The obvious place to start is to check every drone/stock connection to ensure the fit is tight enough and not letting any air escape. Then, ensure all drones are adjusted to take the least amount of air pressure whilst playing.
If these all that appears fine and the chanter reed is fine but the pipes are still difficult, check the non-return valve in the blowpipe. This is often forgotten. Is the valve working correctly? Is it letting air escape? Even a little air escaping could make a big difference. It’s a simple fix that could ensure a happy piping experience.
