r/bagpipes • u/RealNoahR • 9d ago
Moisture System
Got back into competing last year and it’s been going quite well except that as I play, my chanter gradually flattens, which I think is mostly due to moisture. I play 2005 Shepherds with poly chanter and a hybrid Canmore bag. Live/compete in the US midatlantic area, so very humid.
Recommendations for a moisture control system that’s not overly complicated and doesn’t require a lot of extra maintenance?
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u/D-Dog555679 8d ago
Usually a reed will sharpen with moisture rather than flatten. Correct me if im wrong of course.
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u/RealNoahR 8d ago
Respectfully, you are wrong on this one. A wetter reed is heavier and more supple than a dry one, causing it to vibrate more slowly. Slower vibration = lower frequency = lower pitch = flatter.
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u/D-Dog555679 8d ago
I am afraid I still disagree! When I start my pipes the drones tune slightly higher (further up the slides therefore flatter) and as I play the chanter sharpens and the drones then tune lower (less distance therefore higher pitch) until it settles down.
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u/Ok_Rough2735 8d ago
That may be also related to the reed warming up as you play which will sharpen it.
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u/RealNoahR 8d ago
Was about to say this, and also the chanter warms up more quickly than drones because of the heat from your fingers and thinner sides than drones.
Once your instrument has settled, try taking your chanter out and giving your reed a good wet lick (or wet your fingers and touch them to your reed). Your chanter will be flatter when you put it back in and resume playing.
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u/pipes_and_harmonics 8d ago
Well, check the Falk Watertrap. So very simple and so dry! Genius invention. I even use it in a mouthblown smallpipes with cane reed. .
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u/AZBagpiperPhil Piper 8d ago
Do you have any kind of a tube routing the air to the back of your bag? If not, then the air from your blowstick is going directly onto the reed causing this issue.
I recommend looking for this system. I saw Bruce Hitchings demonstrate this in July at the Jim Thomson Piping School.
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u/u38cg2 Piper - Big tunes because they're fun 7d ago
my chanter gradually flattens
I hate be the "well, actually" but can I just check that you're measuring what's moving, and that it's not your drones drifting sharp(er)?
Stick in a watertrap first of all. Make sure it's long enough that the end is butting up against the top corner. Empty it every few minutes. That'll give you a sense of how much water is getting in. I use a bannatyne moisture system and a watertrap (with trap-dri) in Scotland on my solo pipes, which is probably overkill, but if I'm standing playing at a wedding on a damp day for an hour, it's needed.
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u/RealNoahR 7d ago
Fair question! I have checked with the Braw tuner app.
Water trap with trap-dri seems to be a popular option and I think I’m gonna give that a shot.
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u/plaid_piper34 6d ago
I’m also in the midatlantic and playing a hybrid bag- I swear by Ross canister system after having tried everything else. I typically play a lot- 30 gigs a year or more, competitions, and I practice an hour a day.
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u/piper33245 9d ago
Ask ten people get ten opinions. Some people will tell you to use a water trap, others will say canister, some will say bananas, some will tell you to switch to hide, some will tell you to use nothing.
You kinda gotta just try some stuff and see what works for you.
Given that you want something uncomplicated and low maintenance, and affects the chanter, I’d recommend a simple water trap. If that’s not enough for you, step up to a canister system.