2/26/2023 0 Comments Your face here for bagpipe player![]() You could be losing air where the bag meets the stocks. Look for bubbles, use your ears to listen for a hissing sound, and use your fingers to try and feel the leak. Try to determine the location of the leak. Any leak makes your pipes less steady and harder to play. Does the bag still feel completely full? If you can blow more air into the bag, you have a leak somewhere. Squeeze hard on the bag for 15 seconds and check the bag again. ![]() Inflate the bag completely full so that you can’t blow in any more air. Remove your chanter and drones and put corks in the stocks. ![]() Here are some steps you can take to make sure your pipes are working as desired. Steps to Ensure Proper Bagpipe Efficiency This is usually caused by an air leak somewhere or drone reeds that need to be adjusted or replaced. The air simply escapes from the instrument faster than you can keep up with. When this is the issue, it usually feels like you can’t keep the bag filled. If your chanter reed pressure is not the problem, your pipes may be taking in too much air. If you use the gauge and find the pressure required to keep your chanter sound going is higher than 35, you should adjust the reed or get a new chanter reed to lower the pressure required. Most pipers play comfortably with a great sound in the range 25-35 on the Bagpipe Gauge. The best way to determine whether your chanter reed is too hard or if your pipes are taking too much air is to use the Bagpipe Gauge - it is honestly the best tool to learn how to blow with steadiness, and it also gives you an exact measurement of how hard your pipes are. Pipes are “taking too much air:” this is caused by a leak somewhere (hemped joints, pipe bag, or valve) or by incorrectly adjusted drone reeds which allow too much air to flow through. The pressure required to keep the chanter reed going is too high.ģ. Pipes are “too hard:” this is an issue with the chanter reed. Your instrument doesn’t fit: this is caused by a pipe bag size and shape that is wrong for your body or a blowpipe that is too long or too short.Ģ. Three Main Causes of Uncomfortable or Inefficient Pipesġ. If you feel your pipes are too hard or just don’t feel right, you can find the right solution by first pinpointing the cause of the problem. There is a physical conditioning component to playing the pipes, but once you have built up your endurance and coordination in those key muscles, your pipes should be set up so they sound great and are as easy-to-play as possible. We all remember how as beginners, we struggled to develop the strength and stamina in our lips, cheeks, arm, and lungs to keep the pipes going. Some pipers might be under the misapprehension that the pipes are supposed to be physically hard to play - that a good, steady, full pipe sound can only come from pipes that are hard to blow. But a bagpipe with just a small air leak can be difficult or impossible to play. We’ve all seen pianos with missing keys or guitars with broken strings that are still somewhat playable. ![]() Many instruments are still playable if they are in less than top shape. ![]() Bagpipes have many components that need to be adjusted, maintained and properly fitted to make sure that they are operating efficiently and are comfortable to play. Whether you are a competing solo piper, a pipe band member, or piper who plays for enjoyment alone, an important key to success begins with the proper set up of your instrument. Many things need to be learned, practiced, and prepared in order to put forward a top performance. Everything always seems to be working in their favor. Performing with grace and ease, producing brilliant, rich tone, using sparkling, clear technique incorporating masterful expression - these are all marks of a true professional. When you watch a top piper, they make playing look so easy. ![]()
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