Hi Julia, and all the others who have offered help, Thanks for all your suggestions. One thing has improved overall play-ability: I sealed with white glue some separation (air leakage) between the blades of the chanter reed near the hemp line. The problems with E key have diminished but not totally gone away.
The other possibilities are now easier to explore: Air leakage/pads: What is the jacuzzi leak detection method? My method is to remove the chanter reed and directly blow into the chanter while covering all the holes. The chanter is nicely air-tight. I will be vigilent against the attack of the paraffin oil on the foam pad or its adhesive (superglue). So far, no deteriation. Operator Error: Not only do I have to guard against finger slippage off holes, but tom maintain blowing pressure while attention is drawn to pressing keys! I discovered the chanter cuts off entirely at subtle reduction in air pressure. Playing angles: I find the keys easier to play when the chanter is stabilized by resting the bottom against my body versus letting is dangle in midair. Is this tactic something like training wheels on bicycles, that one grows out of as one advances? Hole size: Do you have a recommended diameter for this key? Kind regards, Sam -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 6:19 AM To: nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [NSP] Re: Low E key squeak problems Following on from what Philip and others have said, (and having also encountered this problem), I have found three possible causes in my own blunderings. Operator error - either key strike technique itself, or inadvertently shifting the fingers of the left hand over other holes as the E key is lifted. Try experiments with different hand / arm angles, moving your bag about to get different angles, and maybe stabilise your left arm / hand, if that's the problem. A leak on the d# (or possibly c#) key - have you tried the jacuzzi method for finding leaks, Sam? Remember also that the self adhesive foam which we got excited about for pads a while back is attacked by the recommended liquid paraffin (or at least its adhesive is), and pads can start to slip. It's OK with neatsfoot if that's what you're using. (it's also excellent as an emergency repair) Are the holes for the left hand notes big enough? Hole sizes on Burleigh sets can be quite small and maybe some need enlarging to cure this problem? Just a few extra thoughts Julia To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
