Basic Instructions for Tying a Bagpipe Chanter Reed

Steps for making the reed:

Soak the cane blades in water for approximately one minute.

Place brass staple on holding/winding device.

Place wet blades on staple, 5mm in from the round end of staple.  Hold with peg (clothes peg will do)

Tie thread firmly around thinnest part of reed blades and staple, pull tight.

Wind thread from bottom to about half way up, stopping when blades appear closed together firmly on sides.  When you have bound blades about half way up the staple, before the blades close together, mark position of end of staple on side of blades to give you a finishing point for tying.  You can remove the peg at this point.  Check that the blades are straight on the staple and are coming together evenly.  Continue binding until you can no longer see pen mark at end of staple.

Wind remaining thread, well spaced back to the bottom of the blades, stopping just before the end of the staple and tie off securely.

If you are finding the winding is taking some time and the blades are drying out, go back to step one and soak the blades again.  Trying to mould them around the staple whilst dry will cause them to split.  If this happens, they are totally useless to you.

Seal thread with clear nail polish – let dry overnight.

Finishing Off the Reed:

Trim the tips of the reed with a sharp blade.

Lightly sand both sides of the reed.

Test.

Keep sanding equally on both sides, around the middle to ease up the reed.

Good Luck!!