Well, this is the last weekend before the 2018 competition season. I
went to my practice spot early in the morning, since there's a storm
moving in this afternoon. I spent most of the session running through The Field of Gold.
It's not particularly challenging, but my left ring finger tends to
lock up when doing edres off of C. Overall, a good practice session. I'm
feeling ready to compete.
I also took some time over the last few days to work with my drone reeds. I really like
my current setup of Ezeedrone tenors and a Henderson Harmonic Deluxe
bass - smooth, balanced, and powerful without being overbearing.
However, I wanted to make sure I didn't have something else that would
work better. Long story short - out of what I have - that's the best
setup for me. I tried various combinations of Kinnaird Evos, Crozier
carbons, Ezeedrones, and Henderson Harmonics, and kept coming back to
the Henderson Harmonic Bass and Ezee tenors. I think that's what I'm
sticking with this season, although I may pick up more reeds to try over
the summer. The biggest difference between my current setup and the
others?
I'm eagerly awaiting a new blowpipe stock from Dunbar,
since the Naills came with a stock that had in a built in tube trap that
was pretty well dead. When it arrives, I'll finally be able to use one
of my bottle traps with the Naills. It should go a long way towards
extending the Naills' stable playing time. If I'm lucky, the stock will
show up before next weekend. If not, it should be here well before the
next competition in April.
EDIT 3/11/18
The Dunbar stock
came in time. It looks good - better than the split stock that came with
the pipes. Unfortunately the contest was cancelled due to a nor'easter
impacting travel for the judges. It looks like I'll be getting going in
New Hampshire next month instead.
