Drone reeds?

[cajuncelt]

Balance Tones

[beloitpiper]

I use D. Naill carbon fibre drones that produce an amazing sound and will last a long time.

[Mr. Woolery]

What pipes you use will determine what your best reeds will be.

In any pipes, there is no real argument that real cane reeds (the ancient, traditional, and much-cursed) sound the best. When they are working right. When you can easily discern the differences in sound between two makes of reeds, properly set up, in the same pipes, then think about trying a set of cane. No reason for it until you can actually hear the difference. I have two sets of pipes, from two makers. My old MacLeods work well with Omegas and Spitfires. Better sounds from the Spitfires, but better fine-tuning ability from Omegas. Neither brand works well in my McCallums. In those, I have MG reeds. They work great. I've tried Canning reeds in my McCallums and did not like them as well as the MG. The bass sounds a little better (richer, fuller), but they take too much air at the playing pressure I prefer.

In all cases, the reeds have to be adjusted for best results. Your instructor should be able to help a lot with that. The basic concept I learned was to keep closing them off until they just shut off at playing pressure. Then open up a tiny bit and try them. Open up a tiny bit more and try them. They should play at your chanter reed's pressure without shutting off, but not take a lot of air.

Also, see Andrew Lenz's excellent website www.bagpipejourney.com for information about every brand of drone reed out there and some basics on how to adjust them.

-Patrick