Chanter Reed "Crow"

The reed for the full bagpipe chanter makes a distinctive sound when blown
in the open air (not installed in the chanter). It is a high-pitched, rough,
complex sound.

If the reed makes a single pure tone (usually very high
pitched), it is not in ideal playing condition. It may be too dried
out, in which case a few more moments of mouth-blowing will rejuvenate
it.

If the reed is new, it may be too tightly bound or not sufficiently
finished (scraped or sanded) to vibrate freely in the chanter. These
conditions are easily remedied. Also, the edges of the reed may be
cracked or collapsed. In these cases there is no hope, the reed
should be discarded.