13 best bagpipe reeds
Bagpipe reeds are essential components of bagpipes, which are traditional wind woodwind instruments commonly associated with Celtic and Scottish music. These reeds play a crucial role in producing the distinctive sound of bagpipes. Here's what you need to know about bagpipe reeds:
Construction: Bagpipe reeds are typically made from materials like cane, synthetic materials, or a combination of both. Traditionalists often prefer cane reeds, while synthetic reeds are known for their stability in different weather conditions.
Types of Bagpipe Reeds:
- Chanter Reed: The chanter is the melody pipe of the bagpipes, and it contains a reed that produces the musical notes. Chanter reeds come in various styles and designs, each influencing the tone and pitch of the chanter.
- Drone Reeds: Bagpipes usually have one or more drone pipes that provide a continuous background note. Drone reeds, found in these pipes, contribute to the characteristic drone sound. They come in different varieties, such as bass and tenor drone reeds.
- Reed Blades: The blades of bagpipe reeds are the vibrating elements responsible for generating sound. Chanter reed blades and drone reed blades are distinct in shape and size, tailored to their specific roles.
Tuning: Proper tuning of bagpipe reeds is crucial for achieving the desired sound. Musicians use tuning screws or bridle systems to adjust the pitch and balance between the drone reeds and the chanter reed.
Maintenance: Bagpipe reeds require regular maintenance to ensure consistent performance. This includes cleaning, seasoning, and occasional replacement to maintain the quality of sound.
Synthetic vs. Cane Reeds: Bagpipe players often debate the merits of synthetic reeds versus cane reeds. Synthetic reeds are known for their stability and resistance to moisture but may have a slightly different sound compared to traditional cane reeds, which can be more sensitive to weather conditions.
Sound Quality: The choice of bagpipe reeds significantly affects the sound quality of the instrument. Musicians may experiment with different reeds to find the combination that produces the tone and character they desire.
Reed Makers: Reeds for bagpipes are crafted by skilled artisans who specialize in reed-making. These craftsmen often have a deep understanding of the specific requirements for different types of bagpipes and musical styles.
Personal Preferences: Bagpipers often develop personal preferences for specific reeds based on their playing style, the type of music they perform, and their instrument. These preferences can vary widely among players.
In summary, bagpipe reeds are vital components of bagpipes, contributing to the unique and evocative sound of these traditional wind woodwind instruments.They come in various types and materials, with players often choosing reeds based on their individual musical preferences and requirements. Proper tuning and maintenance are essential to ensure the best possible performance from bagpipe reeds.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best bagpipe reeds on the market
Great Highland Bagpipe Cane Reed/Scottish Pipe Chanter Reeds Ready to Play 6 Pcs
House Of Scotland
Product description
Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reeds 6 Pcs High Quality Cane Material Bagpipes Pipe Chanter Reeds. Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reed Fully Hand Made A MASTER PIECE AND FULLY HAND CRAFT MAN SHIP
- Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reeds 6 Pcs
- High Quality Cane Material Bagpipes Pipe Chanter Reeds.
- Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reed Fully Hand Made A MASTER PIECE AND FULLY HAND CRAFT MAN SHIP
- BUY WITH CONFIDENCE FAST DISPATCH
User questions & answers
| Question: | Are these easy, medium, or hard |
| Answer: | Thank you for choosing our products. Please contact us through the buyer message on the Amazon backend, and we will send you the picture of the manual. |
Frazer Warnock Practice Chanter Reed (2) reeds plus special tube
Product description
These reeds are extremely reliable and consistent. Made to the highest quality and provided in a convenient plastic container
- 2 Pack of Quality Bagpipe Practice Chanter Reeds made by Frazer Warnock of Ireland Bagpipes. For Bagpipe chanter practice
- Presented in a handy re-usable plastic flip top container to protect your reeds when not in use
- Consistent even sound, I personally test every reed before shipment. Ideal for some to learn to play bagpipes
- Quality bagpipe practice chanter reeds not Bagpipe chanter reeds. See my other listing for reeds for bagpipes
- Brought to you by the Barefoot Bagpiper, made by a bagpiper for a bagpiper
User questions & answers
| Question: | what is the size of the part where it connects to the chanter (the yellow part, sorry I don't know the terminology |
| Answer: | As close to it as possible I suppose. However the tuning of the practice chanter isn't as important as is the tuning of the bagpipe chanter. Whether playing solo or with a band or especially with other types of instruments as the normal GHB pipes are not tuned to A440. |
| Question: | will this frazer warnock practice chanter reed fit/play on the mccallum poly long practice chanter |
| Answer: | easy |
| Question: | Are these tuned for A |
| Answer: | Hello, it's made in China. It's made by Jiangsu Qimei company. It's of great quality and good timbre |
Ezeedrone Bagpipe Drone Reeds
Pipe Dreams Reeds
Product description
Ezeedrone Bagpipe Drone Reeds were introduced over fifteen years ago and have quite simply taken the piping world by storm. In terms of competition successes, there is hardly a prize in the solo piping or pipe band competition scene which has not been won by pipers playing Ezeedrone reeds – in most cases the major prizes have been won multiple times with these reeds!
- Ultra Premium Drone Reeds
- 1 Bass Reed and 2 Tenor Reeds
User questions & answers
| Question: | What is the Outside diameter of the reed |
| Answer: | Yes, these reeds are designed to fit in all major brands of practice chanters including Mccallum |
Bagpipe Practice Chanter Reeds 4 Pack Mixed Brands Frazer Warnock, G1 Reeds, Pipedreams (Ezeedrone), Trutone in Reusable Barefoot Bagpiper Case. From Scotland and Ireland Bagpipe Chanter Reeds
- Contains 1 x Frazer Warnock, 1 x Pipedreams reed (makers of Ezeedrones), 1 x G1 reed (mainy top pipebands play G1 reeds), 1 x Tru-tone reed. These are all makers of great bagpipes for sale
- Provided in convenient flip top plastic case to protect your bagpipe chanter reeds when not in use
- Suitable for all levels of player from beginner as a trainer through to an expert bagpiper
- A nice assortment of bagpipe reeds
- Brought to you by the Barefoot Bagpiper. Made by a bagpiper, for a bagpiper
User questions & answers
| Question: | Hi, I received my reeds...can you let me know which reeds are by which maker? Thanks, Jean |
| Answer: | Approximately 1/4 inch |
Product features
Frazer Warnock
The Frazer Warnock reed comes from Northern Ireland. Frazer is a boutique bagpipe maker who's focus on quality and consistency makes this such a reliable sweet-sounding reed
G1
G1 are one of Scotland's finest reed makers. Many of the top pipeband bands around the world play G1 reeds
Pipedreams/Ezeedrone
Pipedreams are another great Scottish reed maker. They are best known for their Ezeedrone reeds. The also make quality chanter and practice chanter reeds.
Trutone
Trutone Bagpipes of Scotland are another boutique maker. Producing a consistent reliable sound.
Reed installed
Great Highland Bagpipe Cane Reed/Bagpipes Practice Chanter Syntactic Reeds Drone
House Of Scotland
Product description
Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Reed High Quality Cane Reed and Bagpipe Cane Drone Reeds and Practice Chanter Syntactic Reeds 7 Pcs Set 02 Pcs Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reeds 01 Set Bagpipe Cane 1 Bass and 2 Tenor Drone Reed 02 Pcs Syntactic Reeds For Practice Chanter Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Reed and Bagpipe Drone Pipe Reeds high quality Material Easy Playing, Easy tuning and nice High Pitch sound. Excellent Cane Drone Reed Set for Scottish Bagpipes,Highland Bagpipes Drones.
- Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Reed
- High Quality Cane Reed and Bagpipe Cane Drone Reeds and Practice Chanter Syntactic Reeds 7 Pcs Set
- 02 Pcs Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Cane Reeds 01 Set Bagpipe Cane 1 Bass and 2 Tenor Drone Reed 02 Pcs Syntactic Reeds For Practice Chanter
- Great Highland Bagpipe Pipe Chanter Reed and Bagpipe Drone Pipe Reeds high quality Material Easy Playing, Easy tuning and nice High Pitch sound.
- Excellent Cane Drone Reed Set for Scottish Bagpipes,Highland Bagpipes Drones.
Scottish Bagpipes Practice Chanter Synthetic Reeds 6 Pcs (Red)
- Scottish Great Highland Bagpipes practice chanter Synthetic Reeds Set of 6 Pcs.
- High Quality Synthetic Material For Practice Chanter.
- Bagpipe Practice Chanter Plastic Reed Fully Hand Made.
- A MASTER PIECE AND FULLY HAND CRAFT MAN SHIP.
- These Plastic Reeds Can be Used Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Practice Chanters.
New 2019 Model Selbie Drone Reeds for Bagpipes (Set: 1 bass, 2 tenors)
Product description
Brand new in box. Never opened. One of the world’s best-selling bagpipe drone reed with smooth and tone with ultimate steadiness in all models of bagpipes new and vintage. Selbie Reeds are truly “plug and play”. Simply insert into your pipes and they are ready to go with no adjustment needed to achieve maximum efficiency. This set contains one bass and two tenor reeds.
- New bass reed redesigned for 2019 with richer, fuller tone and improved steadiness.
- Composite “imitation cane” reed body
- Injection molded tongues
- Tongues attach to reed bodies with unique T-Joint
- Locking tuning screws. Clear silicone bridles for easy adjustment
Scottish Bagpipes Cane Chanter Reeds 6 Pcs Black
- High Quality Bagpipe Chanter Spanish Cane Reeds.
- Work with any Chanter.
- Standard Size Reed.
- 6 pcs in a Set.
Pipe Dreams Practice Chanter Reeds TWO (2) + Reed Tube
Product description
✔ This pack consists of 2 practice chater reeds from one of Scotland's finest bagpipe makers.
✔ They are quality Scottish reeds that have been tested before shipping
✔ Made in Scotland.
✔ Suitable for any bagpipe practice chanter.
✔ In a convenient, safe plastic case to protect them between use
- 2 Pack of Quality Bagpipe Practice Chanter Reeds made by Pipe Dreams of Scotland Bagpipes. For Bagpipe chanter practice
- Presented in a handy re-usable plastic flip top container to protect your reeds when not in use
- Consistent even sound, I personally test every reed before shipment. Ideal for some to learn to play bagpipes
- Quality bagpipe practice chanter reeds not Bagpipe chanter reeds. See my other listing for reeds for bagpipes
- Brought to you by the Barefoot Bagpiper, made by a bagpiper for a bagpiper
User questions & answers
| Question: | what is the dimension of the bottom fitting piece |
| Answer: | The bass reed is 3/8 inch and the tenor reeds are 5/16. I had to wrap hemp around the tenor to fit snugly in my stock. The ends are rubber coated so they stick in the stocks. They were easy to set up and sound good. |
One Megarity Bagpipe Chanter Reed: Easy
- Ridge cut.
- Image shows face and profile.
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is this reed wood or plastic |
| Answer: | Thanks for your question. the easiest way to describe it is to look at the photos for my listing. The 2nd photo shows the maker's name next to their reed. I hope the helps. Al Campbell, The Barefoot Bagpiper |
Gibson Practice Chanter Reed
Product description
Many people enjoy the enhanced volume created by the Gibson practice chanter reed's design. The extra wide blade provides a little flatter pitch and also accepts higher air pressure. Another advantage to Gibson reeds is that they can be gently sanded to adjust pitch.
- ENHANCED VOLUME - Many people enjoy the enhanced volume created by the Gibson practice chanter reed's design.
- PERFECT FOR PRACTICE - The extra wide blade provides a little flatter pitch and also accepts higher air pressure.
- ADJUSTABLE TUNING - Another advantage to Gibson reeds is that they can be gently sanded to adjust pitch.
- COMPATIBLE WITH GIBSON PRACTICE CHANTERS - These reeds are compatible with all of Gibson's practice chanters.
User questions & answers
| Question: | Will this fit my R.G. Hardie blackwood chanter from around |
| Answer: | Any practice chanter reed should fit any practice chanter. They're interchangeable. Just find the tone you like (or the tone that matches that of other pipers you play with.) Gibsons are loud and clear, and will overpower most other chanter reed tones. |
| Question: | Will this reed fit in any chanter? All they one size fits all |
| Answer: | Wood (cane actually). |
| Question: | Will this gibson practice chanter reed fit a mccallum poly long practice chanter |
| Answer: | If you mean the diameter of the tube, 5/32" for the Pipe Dreams reed compared to 3/16" for a Gibson reed. |
4-Pieces Set of Bagpipe Synthetic Drone & Cane Reeds
HOH
User questions & answers
| Question: | Are these for the smaller pipes |
| Answer: | No. They do not have tuning screws. |
| Question: | Are these for the smaller pipes |
| Answer: | Yes in fact They do not fit my normal size bag pipes so yes they will work for small ones |
| Question: | do these have tuning screws |
| Answer: | Probably not well. Those old Hardie practice chanters had smaller reed seats. It might be made to fit if you take all the hemp off the reed and only put back on one or two windings of hemp. |
| Question: | Are these for the smaller pipes |
| Answer: | One size fits most. There are many cheap chanters (usually made of rosewood) that have small reed seats that these reeds will not fit into. There are also some old chanters (usually from before 1960) that also have small reed seats. These will work in most modern chanters. |
Great Highland Bagpipe Syntactic Drone Reeds,Scottish Bagpipes Plastic Reed 3Pcs
House Of Scotland
Product description
Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Syntactic Drone Reeds 3 Pcs Set Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Syntactic Drone Reeds 1 Bass and 2 Tenor Drone Reeds Great Highland Bagpipe Drone Reeds high quality Material. Easy Playing, Easy tuning and nice High Pitch sound. Excellent Cane Drone Reed Set for Scottish Bagpipes,Highland Bagpipes Drones
- Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Syntactic Drone Reeds 3 Pcs Set
- Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe Syntactic Drone Reeds 1 Bass and 2 Tenor Drone Reeds
- Great Highland Bagpipe Drone Reeds high quality Material.
- asy Playing, Easy tuning and nice High Pitch sound.
- Excellent Cane Drone Reed Set for Scottish Bagpipes,Highland Bagpipes Drones
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