Irish Flute Maintenance
You should play in a new flute properly otherwise cracks or distortion could develop. Please follow carefully the simple procedure outlined below and avoid problems later...
- Gradually increase the playing time over a few weeks so that the new flute does not get too wet. Play it for 10 minutes only to begin with.
- After playing always take the flute apart. Shake any drops of water out.
- Fit a piece of cotton rag in the eye of the cleaning rod and mop out the flute so there is no visible moisture left.
- About once a week oil the inside and outside of the flute with a rag moistened with olive oil. Don't let the flute get a dried out appearance. You don't oil the plastic head joint of slide head flutes.
- Keep the joints fitting tightly by winding on some black cotton thread if they become loose. Pull the thread across a piece of beeswax before winding it on.
- Lubricate the joints frequently with joint grease or tallow. Vaseline is also satisfactory but it doesn't last as long.
Bagpipe Maintenance
Chanter Reeds...
- Don't ever blow a chanter reed with the mouth.
To try out a reed suck from the staple end.
- Squeeze the bridle gently with long nose pliers at the sides [B] to open the reed. This makes it play flatter.
It will also be harder to blow and louder.
A little alteration makes a big difference.
- Sqeezing gently in the centre [A] has the opposite effect i.e. it makes it sharper, easier to blow and quieter.
- Sometimes a bridle may become loose. It can be tightened by twisting the knot with pliers. You can also add a little nail varnish around the bridle to secure it.
- A reed that stops when increased pressure is applied to the bag is leaking, either at the sides where the two slips of cane meet or where it fits into the chanter. Apply beeswax paste round the joint between the reed and chanter or nail varnish to the edges of the reed [don't get it anywhere else!]. Beeswax paste is made by softening beeswax with genuine turpentine.
- Squeals are usually caused by not having the fingers properly covering the chanter holes.
Drone reeds...
- If a drone reed stops it is often due to dust or a bit of dirt between the cane and the reed body. Clean it by slipping a sheet of thin paper between the cane and the brass down to the binding. Then hold the reed closed between the thumb and forefinger and withdraw the paper.
- If it still tends to stop then ease the tongue a little more open by carefully bending it back. There should be a small gap between the tongue and body. It should sound a steady note when sucked.
- Rubbing the reed gently with the back of a knife blade also helps to get it working.
General Hints...
- Playing the pipes often will keep the reeds in good condition.
- Keep the pipes in a box and in a moderate temperature.
- Wipe the wood over with olive oil if it looks dried out. Also put a little olive oil on the flap valves in the bellows and blowpipe.
- Maintain the wrappings so that nothing is loose and lubricate the sliders with bag grease or tallow. Bag grease is made by dissolving an ounce of beeswax in 5 ounces of Neatsfoot oil.