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Dry weather conditions and your pipes
When the humidity falls to below 40% RH, bellows blown pipes are
likely to give problems. The areas of North America which have cold
and dry winters will typically be the worst affected. Signs that all
is not well will include malfunction of the reeds:
Chanter Reed:
- May close down partially or completely giving a weak and thin
tone with a sharp pitch and the reed taking very much less air than
normal.
- May open giving a strong and course tone with a flat pitch and
the reed taking very much more air than normal.
- The edges of the reed may open up. This will result in the most
severe malfunctioning of the reed with a lowering of volurne,the
reed taking more air than normal, a poor tone and an abundance of
squeaks and squeals especially when playing a high A followed by
a low A or low G.
Drone Reeds:
- These will either open or more typically close during dry conditions,
the latter making the reed sharp and unstable making it necessary
to tune the drone further and further out on the slide. The reed
will eventually stop working.
Conducting the standard remedies for these problems will of course
produce successful results if the RH remains at or above 40%. If however
the pipes are not adequately humidified, the problems will reoccur
almost immediately - this will also be the case for any new reed which
is fitted. It is possible that reed problems may spontaneously resolve
after humidification even with no manual intervention.
Measures to be taken to humidify pipes:
- Keep the pipes in the most humid room in the house. This may well
be the basement. Attempt to keep this room at a minimum of 40% RH.
- Keep a humidifier or a wet rag in the pipe case.
- Blow into the pipes every day - 1 or 2 breaths only.
- Pour 3ml of water into the bag via the blow pipe 3 times a week.
It is important not to get the blow pipe valve wet or let the water
get on to the reeds.
- Play the pipes in the bathroom when someone is taking a shower.
- When playing the pipes, point a moist stream of air (from a humidifier)
at the bellows inlet.
In some ways the last solution is the most effective but a combination
of measures will always have to be used and it is important to find
what suits you and your pipes best.
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