Freeing Excess Edge Tension
In Chanter Reeds

Copyright 2010 David C. Daye

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One of the factors that makes well-played-in reeds responsive is a free and easy tension holding the two blades together along their edges. If the edge tension is too great, the reed can be a little more resistant and sharp than desired, and the critical lips may gradually settle into an irregular inefficient shape that causes dull tone and resistance.

We can help along new reeds or reeds under construction by inserting a small, thin wedge of plastic or other material between the blades at the top end, after they're scraped and bridled into playing geometry, leaving it there for a day and longer depending on the cane and the particular reed.

I think the top of the wedge should be 1-2 mm below the very tip of the reed to make sure there is reduced stress across the important tip end during the settling, and the bottom should be 4-6 mm down from the top so that there is the maximum length down to the the bridle over which the settling will occur.

I use .010" or .015" thick styrene plastic sheet sold at model railroad supply shops, the same material I use for chanter hard D bell obstructions and artificial drone reed tongues. Softer cane such as much wild California cane should use the thinner cane to minimize the risk of the force creating small notches at the lower end due to pressure against the harder plastic. .015" and possibly thicker in some cases is appropriate for reeds using harder French bassoon cane which also has much harder bark than Spanish or wild cane. It might be wise to scrape the two lower edges of the material with a knife to slightly bevel and soften the corner, especially when using them with softer cane.

I use magnification to inspect the tip after positioning the wedge. I want each lip to have about the same curvature it does when adjusted for a strong playing strength. One day's resting in normal air shouldn't be a problem for any reed; it may be necessary to continue the treatment between playing sessions for a week or longer, or if you give the reeds any humidity cycle treatment, through at least one cycle of that.

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