The Plastification of Pipes: Synthetic Chanter Reeds!
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- čas přidán 28. 02. 2020
- Technology sweeps up the bagpipe world too, and the old traditional cane chanter reed has competition from new synthetic reeds. We'll look quickly how tech has challenged old fashioned and traditional pipes, starting with practice chanters, moving to small pipes, and then onto a comparison of 5 synthetic reeds for the Great Highland Bagpipe.
0:18 Overview of tech trend and why plastic?
3:13 Practice chanters going electronic....beyond plastic
4:38 Smallpipes, wood versus all plastic, sound comparison
6:28 Five types of synthetic reeds compared
9:40 Blowing strength, how hard to play each reed?
17:38 Frequencies created by cane versus plastic...the hiss test!
19:40 Tuner test, how solid is the chanter against a tuner? Mclaren vs cane
20:24 Cold weather test...starting up with cold pipes outdoors Mclaren vs cane
21:36 Summary and recommendations...spoiler...only the Mclaren advances
23:05 Final sound comparisons between cane and plastic Mclaren reed
Like cane reeds, synthetic reeds aren't all equal. The best of the bunch goes head to head against cane and is a credible choice for easy, reliable outdoors playing. - Hudba
I'm a professional piper in Las Vegas and I've played the same Maclaren Synthetic chanter reed in a Carbony Celtic Winds carbon fiber Bb chanter for 15 years, never given me any trouble. Plays exactly like a cane reed. It plays a consistent Bb all day. I also play Ross Omega carbon Fibre(original) drone reeds. I tuned and balanced my reeds perfectly and the Carbony chanter has never required any tape in it. I play 120 year old Hendersons in Ebony. I've played for 3 presidents, 15,000 people in an arena at Caesars Palace that was satellite transmitted to 163 countries. I trust the Maclaren, Omega and Carbony with my carrier. Incidentally, the Omega drone reeds are very complicated and hard to setup, but once they are, they stay that way permanently. I haven't returned chanter or drone reeds for 15 years. Saved a hellofalot of cash on reeds. I figured about $2,000 to $3,000 grand. Just can't beat that. BTW, I. Tuned my drones about 4 months ago and they're still in tune. Of course the 5 percent humidity help here.
thanks for the thoughtful reply. Your deep experience with synthetic reeds, Maclaren specifically, goes well beyond my review! the piping world is steeped (or another description, held back) in tradition that can substitute improvement with nostalgia. I was at a smallpipes workshop where i had replaced my cane chanter reed and Mccallum blackwood chanter with a Walsh polypenco chanter and plastic reed. Brighter sound, easier holes to feel with the fingers, and forgiving to pressure changes. As the workshop instructor (a VERY well known piper who shall remain nameless) walked around tweaking everyone’s reeds his eyes bugged out and he looked like he had picked up a hot cat turd and claimed there was nothing he could do to help! No curiousity or question about sound, just that “if it’s nae cane it’s craaaaaap!”. I still dont use a synthetic in my band chanter as it’s too hard to sync with all the others who have cane, but it would be interesting if we all went synthetic. The band would likely play and sound better, especially in winter parades. cheers!
Very thorough comparison. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I think synthetic Chanter reeds are perfect for beginners, but nothing as cane ( my preferred ones are David Chesney Medium strength)
Great video!
Great video, we need an update, hope someone or company has taken Synthetic reeds further.
Send me some free synthetic reeds and I'll road test them!
I've had good luck with the McLaren synthetic reeds, I'm currently blowing an 18, clear plastic version. I've found that taking a single strand of waxed hemp, very small, and threading it into the lips of the reed opens it up just enough to avoid double toning on low g descents etc. Plastic Shepard mk 3, kinnaird drones, nail pipes.
good tip, I’ll give it a try! Thanks for the comment.
The Glenarly synthetic (AUS) reed has been out awhile. You should give that a go and report back to us. I think you would be quite surprised as it (IMO) outperforms the McLaren reed.
Wish I knew of that one earlier! They didnt show up on my internet search so they need a better profile. I’m done with buying plastic reeds for awhile, but hopefully someone does a good sound comparison. Those Aussie pipers do a great job on reeds!
I'm really liking the #17 McLaren reed for its all weather capability. I play it in a Nail synthetic chanter and have a set of Dunbar P3 pipes with Canning drone reeds. I do find that when playing the reed, blowing and arm pressure technique are super critical so that the reed doesn't shut off if the pressure drops momentarily. Thanks for your video, it is very informative and helpful.
You would be an interesting example of a fully plastic sound setup. Dunbar poly pipes, synthetic reeds, and I’m assuming a synthetic or goretex/hide laminated bag. To the average listener I bet they sound great! That would be an appropriate follow up to this video, throw a little outside weather in as well to really show off how well the synthetics perform in cold/moist air. It really comes down to how well theyr’e played. The greatest pipes in the wrong hands will still be evil sounding. Thanks for your points on blowing too…so important anytime but especially with this setup. (I nicely demonstrated how awful unsteady blowing will sound in the video!)
Technology sweeps up the bagpipe world too, and the old traditional cane chanter reed has competition from new synthetic reeds. We'll look quickly how tech has challenged old fashioned and traditional pipes, starting with practice chanters, moving to small pipes, and then onto a comparison of 5 synthetic reeds for the Great Highland Bagpipe.
@ Overview of tech trend and why plastic?
@ Practice chanters going electronic....beyond plastic
@ Smallpipes, wood versus all plastic, sound comparison
@ Five types of synthetic reeds compared
@ Blowing strength, how hard to play each reed?
@ Frequencies created by cane versus plastic...the hiss test!
@ Tuner test, how solid is the chanter against a tuner? Mclaren vs cane
@ Cold weather test...starting up with cold pipes outdoors Mclaren vs cane
@ Summary and recommendations...spoiler...only the Mclaren advances
@ Final sound comparisons between cane and plastic Mclaren reed
Like cane reeds, synthetic reeds aren't all equal. The best of the bunch goes head to head against cane and is a credible choice for easy, reliable outdoors playing
Clanrye Hard Blue is called that because you turn blue in the face when playing 😂
👍😄
Hail to my Country! ;o)
Well done! Lots of work putting that together. Having tried out Clanryes with disapointment I now have a McLaren but still prefer cane. Good to hear about the Glenarly. Is the chanter your were testing with plastic or black wood and do you think that would make a difference?
You make a great point. Chances are if you are in a band you'll get a cane chanter reed (who knows how hard sometimes) and a plastic chanter (well, everything less than Grade 3 maybe :) and drone reeds is up to you. But the solo piper will often be using a blackwood chanter and can use whatever reed is desired, and maybe changes depending on occasion (outside cold funeral/etc could be synthetic, inside or competition may be cane). I'd like to see a band go to synthetic reeds just for ease of tuning, easy playing and reliability. Soooo much time is spent farting around, taping chanters, squeezing, licking sanding reeds, readjusting drones. Ridiculous. People get bored and tired playing endless STB and tuning, no wonder bands have difficulty attracting new talent. I say skip convention and try out some new tech, get the Mclaren's in there and see if the band sound suffers more than the band was suffering through endless reeding issues. My guess would be that the listener couldnt hear the sound difference but if the music is easier to play properly they WILL hear that! I did not test the reeds with my Blackwood chanter since my plastic one was already reasonably taped and tuned. Stay "tuned"! for new technology...
@@NorthOlbo Yes. One of the many reasons I quite pipe bands long ago was the endless tuning time rather than playing time. Mainly because individual players did not know how to maintain their reeds and self tune. Last night I retried my Mclaren in a plastic Dunbar chanter with no tape. The E was very flat and I still did not like the overall sound. All of my other pipes (except Gaita) use plastic reeds and I have quite a collection! If you get a chance to try and video a Glenarly I would like to hear about it. You can find me on FB at facebook.com/robin.aggus/ or facebook.com/RobinAggusPiper
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facebook.com/skirl.ontario
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facebook.com/CaledoniaCeiliBand
I can sure tell a difference on the shawm and rauschpfeife, likely because of the lip/reed interaction. Plus the synthetics are much more "kazoo" on the rauschpfeifes.
For those who need an introduction (like me!) to some medieval bagpipe-ish instruments....en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rauschpfeife. Interesting. You must have great breath control. The kazoo- like sound is the weakness here, the synthetics lean towards the higher frequency hiss. In a chanter style instrument like the shawm that would be more noticeable without the blending effects of the drones. Thanks for sharing!
I strongly advise against synthetic chanter reeds for GHBs. I've had a bad experience with them, having played them for a year. They squeek like crazy, 1/3 of your birls and tarluaths will fail. Plus, they can't be adjusted if they're too hard as you can't shave plastic like you do cane.
I agree...at the present time. But drone cane reeds have been replaced for the "average" piper with plastic...great minds are working on it for chanters
@NorthOlbo I found your reply quite confusing.
If cane reeds are better and cheaper now (as I am definitely convinced) let's play them now... Why, among all the other challenges would I want a chanter reed that sounds like a Mardi Gras plastic trumpet?
Maybe one day... as you said.... they will be able to produce something decent or even equal to the cane reeds. But for the little that I know that day has still to come. When, and if it arrives, I would have no problem in changing, like I did for the drone reeds. For now I (and the vast majority) stick to the old Arundo Donax cane reed of old, still the best.
Really arcane your " players who care more about being musical than squeezing that last sweet sound out" The most musical and accomplished pipers around the world' play cane reeds in the GHB. Yes, you do need to spend time on setting your reed and training it. But that is part of the game. That is also what connect us with generations of pipers before. It is not a plug and play thing.
Like our music. It Is not easy listening, it demands attention. Weird stuff in the modern world eh? So there is plenty of electronic chanters synthesizers and other crap that would made the heart content if you want to just sit and start playing without wasting time to warm the reeds, tune properly etc.... If someone choose the bagpipe itself, I guess is for the vibrancy and the feel of a unique instrument. With all the pros and cons that come with it.
Happy piping,
The McLaren reed was surprisingly good compared with cane reeds. If the Glenarly reed is better than the McLaren, it’s really getting there. I agree, it needs a more prominent profile on the marketplace. I remember trying out a Clanrye reed in the mid 80s but it was a big disappointment. McLaren takes 1st place in the synthetics for sure 😁👍.
Could you please emigrate to Pakistan and fix how they make them the pipes etc after 50 years there still sending out the same pipes I think Pakistan would benefit by billions of £€$.if they made cheaper pitch perfect pipes as people around the world can find pipes very expensive also you got all the extras as well.all the best great video 😀😃🏴💙💜💙💜
Only 340 views... unbelievable! Surely my interests cant be in that much of the minority....
We are a small but committed community who want to understand and be the best possible at our music craft. It does seem like no one else is interested sometimes but that doesnt stop us from learning, sharing and enjoying our discoveries! Thanks for your comment!
@@NorthOlbo it just seems strange since I come from other gear-focused hobby communities like knives and electronics, both of which are EXPLODING with videos about every little nuance about the relevant gear, yet I can hardly find videos describing different chanters and reed brands!
2:23 🥲😂
Then please explain how come 95% of the pipers (I am sure more than that) use cane reeds for pipe chanters.
Cane reeds still sound better and are cheaper for chanters. But...once upon a time (not long ago) the same could be said for drone reeds too. Now 95% of pipers use plastic drone reeds. Plastic chanter reeds are much of the way there, not all the way yet. But the simplicity of easy playing, temperature and moisture insensitive and almost no chanter taping, breaking in period and general fiddling around needed means they will be embraced by new, non traditional players who care more about being musical than squeezing that last sweet sound out of a chanter.
@@NorthOlbo i was wondering where you bought these reeds if you don’t mind me asking? going to use them in colder weather and see how they perform in warm and hot weather! almost every piper is play synthetic drone reeds even up to the best pipers in the world especially willie mccallum
@@timothyaldrich4926 I havent checked lately but Amazon carried some of them at the time. I also ordered directly from the manufacturer in a couple of cases. The reality is no one will care if the sound is a little off on a cold day during a parade or memorial but they sure will know if you dont make any sound at all! Unfortunately that happened to me last year. I was leading a fundraiser walk on the 5th of February, temp was at freezing and a light drizzle. I warmed up the bag and tuned, but then the speeches started. I blew into the pipes to keep them ready but all I was doing was adding moisture droplets on the cold chanter reed. 45 minutes later when it came to starting up, strike in and….nothing. Just a squeak and silence. Drones barely worked. I should have followed my own advice and gone to a synthetic.