A good drone reed gives you two distinct tones as pressure builds — that's what we call double toning. You hear a first tone as air first starts moving the tongue, then a cleaner, smoother second tone once your chanter reed kicks in and the pressure rises.
That's why pipers strike in rather than gradually inflating the bag. A slow, gradual rise in pressure often passes through a squeal zone, a whistling or chirping sound, before the reed settles — striking in pops the reed straight to a clean first tone.
You don't need to strike hard enough to jump straight to the second tone. A stable first tone is perfectly fine; what matters is that all three drones kick into their tones together, for a clean, unified sound.
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Understanding how drone reeds are affected by pressure
10m · Full class available to Inner Circle members
⏱️ In this class
00:02tongue, works: pressure a drone bridle, and reed How🔒
01:24it much sound off no pressure No and shuts — pressure, too🔒
02:06first the and second tone Double toning: tone the🔒
03:43The sound can't a fluttering reed settle when🔒
04:25straight the You tone strike to to don't second need🔒
05:12squeal zone why we The in and strike🔒
07:32and Comparing second reeds across first the tone🔒
08:44roaring drone The bass problem🔒
10:17kick three all in together drones to need Why🔒
About this class
🔒 The write-up and the quotes from this class are part of the members’ page.
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