Melvin Reeds

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Melvin Reeds

Bagpipe chanters & reeds made by Adrian Melvin.
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10/26/2026

Do you have a spare reed… or a backup reed?

There’s a difference.

A brand-new reed sitting in your pipe case might be a spare, but if your primary reed suddenly cracks, gets damaged or just decides not to cooperate, is that spare actually ready to go?

A true backup reed should already be:
✔️ Broken in
✔️ Tested in your chanter
✔️ Comfortable at your blowing pressure
✔️ Tuned and balanced
✔️ Stored properly
✔️ Checked occasionally to make sure it’s still ready

And if you have a spare chanter, use it! Keep your primary reed ticking along while putting your practice time into breaking in and evaluating potential backups.

Our latest blog covers how to prepare, store and maintain backup reeds before you need one.

Read the full blog, link in bio.

Your spare reed shouldn't just be a spare. It should be ready.

10/23/2026

Easy, Medium or Hard?

Most pipers have an answer when you ask what strength chanter reed they play.
But here’s the question…

Have you ever actually measured it?

“Easy,” “Medium” and “Hard” can mean very different things depending on the piper—and even the reed maker. What feels Medium to you might feel Hard to someone else.

Knowing the actual pressure your favorite reed plays at gives you something much more useful: your number.

So tell us: What reed strength do you think you play? And have you ever measured it in inches of water?

You might be surprised by the answer!

10/21/2026

What in the world is Bruce Gandy doing?!

Is he calling birds? Testing a new musical instrument? Or has he finally lost it?

Bruce sat down with Adrian Melvin to go through some Melvin Brass reeds, chirping away and explaining exactly what he's listening for when selecting a reed.

Curious what all that chirping is about?

Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel, , as part of our Conversations with Pipers series!

👉 https://youtu.be/_Xp7r7ajIpc

10/21/2026

Do you remember your first set of bagpipes?

For most pipers, that first set is pretty hard to forget. Maybe they were brand new, handed down from another piper, borrowed from the band, or a well-used set that needed a little love.

We want to hear about yours!

What was your first set of bagpipes?
Who made them?
Were they new or used?
And do you still have them?

Bonus points if you have an old photo — share it in the comments!

Let’s see how many different makers and stories we can get.

10/19/2026

Ever thought about trying cane drone reeds?

There’s something special about the sound of well-set-up cane — thick, rich, resonant and full of harmonics.

We’ll admit it: cane drone reeds aren’t always plug and play. They take a little patience and some basic setup knowledge. But learning that process can also teach you a lot about how your pipes actually work.

If you’re curious, Adrian recommends starting with the bass. Get it stable, learn how small adjustments to the tongue and bridle affect the reed, and then gradually introduce the tenors.

Our latest blog walks you through the process — including a couple of old-school tricks for getting that cane tongue set just right.

Read the full blog, link in bio.

Have you ever played cane drone reeds? Was the sound worth the extra work? Let us know below.

10/16/2026

What tune are you working on this off-season?

Competition season may be winding down, but this is the perfect time to start learning something new.

Maybe it’s a tune you’ve always wanted to play, something for next year’s competition set, or one that’s going to push you a little outside your comfort zone.

So let’s hear it…

What tune are you working on this off-season?

Drop the name in the comments — you might even give another piper an idea for their next tune!

10/14/2026

Struggling with crossing noises?

Crossing noises are one of the most common problems for pipers, and they often come down to one small detail in your finger movement.

They happen when you close your open fingers before lifting the fingers needed for the new note.

The tricky part is retraining your brain to think the opposite:
Lift the new fingers fractionally BEFORE closing the open fingers.

It’s a tiny difference in timing, but it can make a huge difference in producing clean transitions between notes.

Slow it down. Concentrate on the movement. Build the correct habit. Then gradually bring it back up to tempo.

Great piping starts with clean fingerwork.

10/12/2026

Do you have a game plan before you play for the judge?

Too many solo competitors spend months practicing their tunes—but never practice what they’re going to do in those last few minutes in front of the judge.
And when the nerves kick in, that matters.

In our latest blog, Adrian explains why he recommends building your tuning routine around a two-parted slow air. It gives your pipes time to settle, gives you a chance to properly tune your drones and chanter, and—just as importantly—slows you down when nerves are telling you to rush.

Your competition preparation shouldn’t just be about practicing your tunes. Practice your setup. Practice your tuning. Practice your walking and turns. Have a game plan.

Read the full blog, link in bio.

10/09/2026

Nothing beats hearing a setup come together.

Melvin Reeds customer Chris Murphy is playing the MACA-1 Pipe Chanter paired with a Melvin Reeds Copper Chanter Reed — and it’s sounding great.

Chris had this to say about the setup: “Right on the first day of playing the reed, it was straight as an arrow on the Braw Tuning app.”

And maybe our favorite description: “A very enjoyable, relaxed reed to play — soothing like a warm blanket.”

Have a listen to Chris playing and hear it for yourself.

MACA-1 Pipe Chanter + Melvin Reeds Copper Chanter Reed

Great sound starts with a great reed.

Address

Garner, NC
27529

Website

https://www.melvinreeds.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=bio_link

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