Are Your Bagpipes Hard to Play? 3 Things to Check!

[@michaelgillespie1206]

Even a pinhole leak makes a big difference, you'll be blowing much more than you need too, it's counterproductive to your practice sessions. I once discovered a pin hole leak close to where my chanter stock tied into the bag, after I retied it, the difference was amazing.

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Absolutely!

[@Odba9ikaz]

You do have an amazing Content, Keep it up

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Thank you!

[@joshuacollinsmusic]

thanks sir, been having this issue where everytime i strike in i get a squeek from the chanter. i increased from easy reed(s) to medium but same deal. i think that my drone reeds might need to be adjusted to come in 'easier' (with less air). that is, adjust my drones to match the easy/medium chanter reeds. I can't imagine trying to use a medium/hard or hard reed i would probably pass out (perhaps one day as i get better). i have kinnaird edge drone reeds so not sure if you have any specific advice to that family of drones or have heard of this issue before.

[@KyleBantaMusic]

When you say ‘squeak’, do you mean it’s making a premature sound or it’s squealing?

[@chrismills2012]

does this apply to all types of pipes? I would imagine it'll be the same for the Northumbrian ones

[@KyleBantaMusic]

This applies to highland pipes. Northumbrian pipes are bellows-blown so I don’t know much about them. Kitchen pipes will be similar to highland pipes.

[@bertfdeb4484]

Thanks a bunch! About the drone reeds test : should I do it with the chanter, or does the chanter have to be corked? Also, should I just blow only, or blow and squeezing just like I play tunes? Thanks!

[@michaelgillespie1206]

Start by corking just your drones to see if the leak is in your bag or your stocks tie in, then introduce your drones and continue checking for leaks, it takes several steps to find just where and if the pipes are leaking, and if your drone reeds are taking too much air.

[@KyleBantaMusic]

I’ll demonstrate this soon but you should do it with the chanter in as well. The chanter will take more air so doing this method is helpful to get the reed closer to the desire strength and the chanter helps to get the strength more accurate. Please clarify the second part of the question.

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Correct, Michael

[@bertfdeb4484]

@@KyleBantaMusic thanks for your reply. For the second part : does only blowing (without the arm) should be sufficient or do I have to press the bag too as if I was playing?

[@KyleBantaMusic]

@@bertfdeb4484see if any air leaks out before squeezing. You can try giving it a couple of light squeezes after checking for air loss.

[@nobbiestyles]

Air leak from the joints and chanter insertion ? Air leak from the chanter reed insertion? How do you check that ?

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Leaks from the joints is definitely another thing to check. Leaks from the chanter reed will be less likely but could still happen. You should have to turn the drones in the stocks; this will ensure proper air tightness. If you can remove the drones without turning them, they are too loose. For the reed, you shouldn’t be able to just lift the reed out of the reed seat without some effort (assuming the reed seat isn’t threaded).

[@nobbiestyles]

@@KyleBantaMusic crystal clear, thanks so much for the answer. Concerning possible leaks from the chanter reed I do this. I point the chanter (reed side) towards an enough strong light and having a look from the bottom of the chanter we can often have some surprises about the adherence of the reed hemp to the chanter.

[@KyleBantaMusic]

@@nobbiestyles yes, that's a method of determining if the reed is seated properly.

[@marklamont5715]

Are those Robertson’s?

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Yes

[@Odba9ikaz]

is there a way that i can contact you?

[@KyleBantaMusic]

Through my website, bantamusic.com. There's a contact form in the menu bar.

[@ylovaht2097]

4 times on minute to take a breath is advice from Olympic level hero for Bundesliga player . . Practise you need and a perfect finger memory

[@KyleBantaMusic]

If we do the math, 4 times in 60 seconds is 15 breathes. I've never counted how many times I breath in a minute, but 4 times in a minute sounds like very few to me. With sports, that might be accurate. For bagpipers, I guarantee you that many people take more than 4 breathes in a minute. Practice is essential and in my opinion, perfection is impossible.