watertraps

[Ken Fitzpatrick]

hi, will a water trap prolong the length of time one will be able to keep the reeds going, ive noticed lately i have moisture on my reed blades and was finding it a bit difficult last week, if i insert a tube trap will the reeds function longer and better without the moisture sitting on them ?

[Randy Erickson]

hi, will a water trap prolong the length of time one will be able to keep the reeds going, ive noticed lately i have moisture on my reed blades and was finding it a bit difficult last week, if i insert a tube trap will the reeds function longer and better without the moisture sitting on them ?

The idea behind a tube trap is that *some* of the moisture in your breath will condense and remain as water inside the trap rather than be available to condense on your drone reed tongues. Accordingly, the amount of time before enough moisture gets to the reeds to be a problem should be extended. If you play long enough, your reeds will eventually get wet, though.

Temperature and humidity where you play will be big factors in how well it works for you. I would expect you to have more trouble in northern Scotland than I do in inland California this time of year.

If the tube trap does not extend your playing time to what you desire, you may need to investigate a good dryer system - they are very effective.

[Shawn Husk]

As was said a tube type trap will trap some moisture and it will extend your playing time.

But there are also a lot of other moisture control systems on the market that are more effective at removing moisture. Some remove almost all the moisture you have in your breath and this can allow you to play for a very long time without moisture issues.

With these dry type of systems you may need to set up your chanter reed a bit differently so it works and sound well in a dry environment.

Shawn

[Jerry R. Pearce]

Your chanter reed does need some moisture in order to play well and sound good. If you take all the moisture out of the equation then your chanter reed will be too dry and sound THIN and you will lose the top hand. Keeping your drone reeds dry is good. I have a tube trap with the bottle and sponge cloth inside and my chanter reed dries as I play and becomes harder the more I play. I have removed the bottle and left the tube in the blow pipe stock but I am looking for a different type of trap that will allow a little moisture to get to the chanter so it plays well. TOO DRY is not good just as too wet is no good. You do have to find the good and happy balance between both setups.

[bob864]

I am looking for a different type of trap that will allow a little moisture to get to the chanter so it plays well. TOO DRY is not good just as too wet is no good. You do have to find the good and happy balance between both setups.

You could poke a hole in the tube near the chanter.

I play with a Kinnaird Kanister. If I have it well dried out, then it will dry my reed as I play, at first, so I mouthblow the reed a bit before playing. I must be a really wet blower though (and our climate is very humid, too), because after 30 minutes or so, I'll start getting condensation inside my drones (depending on the temperature, etc).

Bob

[Wulls]

I can understand your problem with you being so far from other pipers. Can you not organise something with the Lewis band, they have a fair bit of experience with competition piping and dealing with moisture problems.
Don't know where in the Hebrides you are but Peter the PM of the Lewis band can come past me in Aberdeen for reeds. No reason we can't help you with other problems.
Please feel free to get in touch......