Fix the Crow on Your High A using fine grit sandpaper! - Matt Willis Bagpiper

You'll want 320 or even 500 grit sandpaper for this! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this video! In this video Matt Willis Bagpiper discusses two techniques to reduce or remove the crow from your high A and high G! The crow being that staticky sound that can often happen on the top note of your bagpipe chanter.
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[@stanmathewson8434]

I just worked in a new reed because my old reed had a bad crow I couldn’t get rid of. The new reed also had a crow. I was getting frustrated. Had some 2000 grit sandpaper. Did the same thing just with a little more pressure on the reed when sanding it. Took the crow right out. Now the reeds have that crisp sound you were talking about without the static.

[@levimessinetti5213]

Matt, I just eliminated a horrible high crow in 5 seconds using the thumbnail method, saving a great sounding reed. Thanks for everything. Happy St. Patrick's Month!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it helped!

[@kylewallis795]

Can you make a vid on how to March in a band please

[@LesliePiper]

I second the motion

[@kylewallis795]

Cheers matey

[@kylewallis795]

I meant mate😂

[@BrandonMcCarty]

Yes please

[@spodosol]

Did the trick!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Awesome!

[@kyleddrummer6988]

Thanks for this vid whas very useful

[@jepense82]

Thanks Matt. Perhaps a stupid question but i was just wondering if you have any tips on identifying a true/right high a? I'm having some trouble zoning in on it.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Tuning wise? Most folks tend to have it a bit flat compared to low A (but just a bit). Tone wise, it should be slightly thin, but not scratchy. But also not really piercing and loud. Hope that helps.

[@marklamont5715]

What's the name of the tune being played in the lead into your video..

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

All the Blue Bonnets are over the Border

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The original recording I took this from (before adding reverb and such): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Xcpaprj82Ifqc

[@Bobbymac3321]

Where did you buy that pressure gauge Matt?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

appsreeds.com/products/reed-pressure-gauge

[@jimmclean9312]

I was shown how to get rid of my high end Crow by simply rubbing the top edge of the reed with the back of my Thumbnail. works every time.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I talk about that about 2/3s of the way through... It feels weird!

[@jphmz]

Only my E & F notes are really flat compared to the others (which are in tune), is there a way to fix that with a ‘less destructive’ method? I already put a lot of tape on the other notes to get the right sound :/

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Have you tried other reeds? If it's like that with several brands of reed, you may want to try a different chanter...

[@amanfromaplace]

So I thought I had the perfect reed, but I just needed it a bit tougher to keep from getting early E's. I poked the reed, now I've got a crow. Is that common and does it have the same solution?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yeah, I'd try to fix the crow the same way. That's happened to me before too. Best of luck!

[@hardiecrawford2155]

By making the cane thinner you are allowing the cane to vibrate easier which is what takes away the “crow”. I think

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That certainly makes sense... Thanks for your thoughts on the matter!

[@shawnstevens6680]

Huzzah!

[@JBrooksNYS]

How do I MAKE it crow?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That I don’t really know…. Perhaps thinning the side edges. But not guaranteed.

[@matthewdenty7760]

Killed a crow with this video, thanks again .... should I try this with a dead reed as well?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Don’t see how it would hurt it if it’s already dead!