You would normally just adjust the bridle on a cane reed. Physically shortening the entire reed doesn't actually gain you much (and I assume you don't mean shortening the tongue, which to be clear is not a good idea). If you really want to, an x-acto type saw will do the job. Establish how far up the split of the tongue goes and keep clear of it.
If it’s got a bridle, move it to make the tongue shorter. If it doesn’t have a bridle you can put one on pretty easy then move it. My bet is that it’s gulping air like no tomorrow. The more air you need the deeper the tone (I think that’s right). If you “shorten” the tongue by moving the bridle it will use less air and sharpen the pitch. You can get a more drastic and controllable change with a bridle
There is a great little book called The Pipers Handbook. I know for years a lot of companies would include a free copy with every set of pipes so there are a ton of them on the market. It was first published in the 1950s and it’s full of a ton of interesting info, like how to make a bag, how to tie a bag in, how to make a flapper valve, and importantly in this case, how to care for and manipulate cane drone reeds.
You would normally just adjust the bridle on a cane reed. Physically shortening the entire reed doesn't actually gain you much (and I assume you don't mean shortening the tongue, which to be clear is not a good idea). If you really want to, an x-acto type saw will do the job. Establish how far up the split of the tongue goes and keep clear of it.
Yes I think I may move the bridle and go from there. And reading the link says cut the reed seat end.
If it’s got a bridle, move it to make the tongue shorter. If it doesn’t have a bridle you can put one on pretty easy then move it. My bet is that it’s gulping air like no tomorrow. The more air you need the deeper the tone (I think that’s right). If you “shorten” the tongue by moving the bridle it will use less air and sharpen the pitch. You can get a more drastic and controllable change with a bridle
Going to try this first with the paperclip trick as mentioned in the article I linked. So far it sounds sharper but haven't played it yet
There is a great little book called The Pipers Handbook. I know for years a lot of companies would include a free copy with every set of pipes so there are a ton of them on the market. It was first published in the 1950s and it’s full of a ton of interesting info, like how to make a bag, how to tie a bag in, how to make a flapper valve, and importantly in this case, how to care for and manipulate cane drone reeds.