Can You Tie a Piper's Plaid by Yourself? Let's find out!

[@patriciaharris9912]

Good job being persistent!!! Very good. Love the reties!🤣. I would be a sweaty mess by now.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You and me both!

[@michaelfaresich3085]

Matt , great video ,honest, sincere. Keep the videos coming !!!! Great speaker as well !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That was definitely a fun video, as I did my best to sort out that whole plaid thing!

[@thudor1]

This is why, when I was in a band, we broke out in pairs to tie each other's plaids at least an hour before showtime. You can't go wrong with the buddy system....so long as you both know how to adjust the height in back and to be extremely careful when pinning the brooch!! Also, don't forget to run the pin through the epaulet after the top part of the plaid and before the bottom part so that it stays put and doesn't unravel while you're playing!!

[@annemarielouvigny4698]

Well, well Matt, well done, a hard job isn’t it ! As for me, I get dress a hour before playing with my pipeband : we help each other with this plaid to be comfortable when playing. Very hard in summer time..’.Thank’s for your videos, you do a great job !

[@nicolea2839]

That pin is so beautiful! Love the blue jewel in the middle.

[@nicolea2839]

The blue jewel in your pin looks so beautiful! Makes you look royal/ pompous wearing it.

[@MrJaymac19]

Just picked up a McKenzie plaid from an old band member at a highlands game. Thick wool and really long. I am so glad I came across this video! Thanks Matt. Aberdeen/Brigadoon Highland Games Aus , here I come!

[@LesliePiper]

That was great, I specially enjoy how you don't y take yourself seriously but still being respectful. When I played in number 1 I'd use part of the plaid to cover the brooch and protect the pipes,

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thank you for the idea for this video, good sir!

[@suepritchard9287]

I love the matching bag cover!!😊

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Me too!!

[@IamPhinJr]

A+ for effort, I think you did a great job.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thank you very much!

[@lukehawkins7591]

Well done on your persistence and willingness to do this on video. The piper's plaid looks great but my oh my what a nightmare to put on👍😁

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Very much a nightmare to put on... Especially the broach! Can't wait to stab my hand one of these times!

[@lukehawkins7591]

@@MattWillisBagpiper well had that happen to me in our school pipe band (Anderson as well)....as boys go...suck it up mate🤣🤣

[@tfcfan3]

Matt, at 4:50, as you’re showing the plaid at the top of the spats, the pattern on your kilt and on your plaid line up nicely. I’ve always tried to line up the patterns, top of the spats is a close reference point.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I noticed that in editing!

[@ronauldcameron3623]

I put my own on too what a labor of love and frustration 🙃

[@Scarred_Piper]

Hehe well done! it's a tedious job, innit?! Nice tip about putting some rope under the moving belt part! gonna try it!. As for the plaid. what i did, is place the plaid in the perfect position and mark it, and sew a thin thread, so that next time i can align that thread with the shoulder flap, and i know the backend of the plaid sits perfectly with the spats. after pulling the plaid snug and before tossing the short end over the shoulder, i give it a twist or two (clockwise) creating a better knot for putting that brooch in. apart from that, it is always a big fight :p

[@Argyllx]

Nice job! Tying solo is most difficult and there are a few different methods of tying the plaid.

[@kiltiecorpfan]

Thanks for the video Matt, now I know how to do it.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I don’t think I’ve done it the same way twice now. I should probably review my own video here!

[@gunnsmoke357]

Looks good Pipe Major Matt

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thank you, good sir!

[@LesliePiper]

Hear hear

[@reid778]

Will you make a video or playlist on the uileann pipe basics, I think it would be a great addition to your channel.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

First, I need to get a set of uilleann pipes! I sold my previous set to purchase a new set of Morrison uilleann pipes, but alas, the pandemic has delayed the set... I also want to finish my Basics series for the highland pipes first before moving the uilleann pipes. But it is the plans for the future!

[@reid778]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thats great timing since I plan on first getting better at the highland pipes.

[@LesliePiper]

@@reid778 though I'd enjoy videos on uilleann I must admit I'm biased to the GHB

[@reid778]

@@LesliePiper I know, but if you enjoy them, it shouldn't be bad right?

[@mmalsbur9579]

Gosh it was very interesting. Never knew what all you guys go through to get ready. And I thought rolling the hair in spike curlers the night before, polishing the shoes till you can see yourself in them, and doing all those stretches were a pain before Irish Dance Competition or performances. Glad I didn’t continue with my pipe lessons. No, I’ll go back to to it but not yet, love the music to much.

[@doughavens615]

When you wrap the plaid around you the pleats should be facing up, sort of like crumb catchers....just a suggestion

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's not possible with how the pleats are sewn. So it may be have sewn upside down or perhaps the fellow I bought from put it over his right shoulder. To reverse the pleat direction would put the stitched side over the shoulder as a cap and the open side as the part in front (that I kept trying to figure out what to do with).

[@fraser8681]

Put your extra bit of plaid under the front section of the plaid it helps and looks really good

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'll give that a try next time!

[@maxwellfan55]

I always get someone else to do this but TBH I'm never that impressed with their efforts. Like you Matt, I think it's about time I tried this myself! One other thing. After spending all that time and money getting dressed up like a Christmas tree, it's good to remember we still have a job to do. Play pipes!! So while being trussed up like this looks great, it doesn't exactly make playing any easier!!! Give me a well fitting kilt, tweed jacket, bonnet, and my fingers will be dancing on the chanter all day...

[@cbasalt12754]

I have a belated plaid for events, no tying or sewing involved, yet still extremely complicated to put on!

[@byoh100]

Wore full dress with a plaid for many years here in the northeast and it was with a heavyweight doublet. I'm guessing you're wearing a lightweight in Texas. The pipers in the band always helped one another put on a plaid, tough job for one person. I'm glad I no longer wear full dress.😃😃. Good job!👍👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I got the full weight one, as the light weight ones wrinkle easily and just don't quite look right.

[@rossco29]

Hi Matt would doublet tunic be first before the plaid. Or a plaid then the military doublet tunic

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I’d get a doublet first.

[@cameronmurgatroyd3457]

Out of curiosity what tartan is that? Like is it custom or band affiliated?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Anderson Modern. It's for my pipe band, Metroplex United.

[@tommybrowne8759]

I know this a somewhat old video. we had our plaids cut to size and sewed on the ends then the Baldric would go over the plaid and all you would have to worry about is the small bit to tuck under by your shoulder and pin it with your brooch. but im sure you gave figured it out by now, Cheers mate!!!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Smart idea there!

[@gunnyclaus8511]

I feel your pain, I don't have anyone to help me get kitted up either!

[@michaelfaresich3085]

Plus ..I'm a huge tull fan !!!!!!!!!!!

[@aricanovic]

Hey Matt what bagpipe tune is playing and nice outfit

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's "All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border"

[@dougdraper4892]

Hey, Matt - are the dye lots different? ;-) At this point, Archer is also still looking for a new valet.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha!! Was wondering if anyone would catch the Archer reference.

[@LesliePiper]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I did .... NOT LOL

[@Reedc16]

I don’t have a military kilt but I just have a regular kilt I’m doing song called taps by the us marine or army band, the lions sleep tonight by the tokens, and can help falling in love with you by Elvis Presley. Those are the three tunes I play I practice a lot I’m making my own song not right now but next 2 months

[@bjcool7715]

What’s the best bagpipe to begin with for a beginner that really wants to play

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

First, you need a practice chanter!

[@bjcool7715]

Matt Willis Bagpiper What’s the best one out there byeI’m a big fan of yours I like the elbow bagpipes

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'm a big fan of the Hardie twist-trap practice chanters (and more specifically, their practice pipes). Glad you found the channel here!

[@bjcool7715]

Matt Willis Bagpiper Where can I find those is there a website I can go to

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Depends on where you are. Look up twist trap practice pipes on Google and see what comes up. 👍

[@thudor1]

I can hear a Scotsman giving his rationale against self-tying right now: "Ach!! Ah dinna TAY meh oon PLAYYD fer da SEEM RAY-zen Ah dinna COOT meh oon HAYYER!!"

[@sambarclay3625]

where did you buy your dirk Matt?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Highland Dirk & Sgian Dubh from Southern Swords - Unboxing & Photos! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpu7iHZqgbuprq8

[@jeffc5474]

Matt, where did you find the shoulder belt?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I got mine through Lone Star Piper. www.lonestarpiper.com

[@231170maxo]

Thanks Matt...for sharing....jajajaja

[@rrozasf]

What are the measurements, of a full plaid?

[@doughavens615]

You had it correct when the short end was tucked under the cross belt in the rear

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Really? I thought that looked kinda not great and obvious there. Hmmm.

[@r0bpr0c]

@@MattWillisBagpiper It can be tucked under the waist belt similar to when you were holding it. Admittedly this will be hard whilst solo, but if you're able to twist it the knot becomes more pronounced which helps the broach sit up

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

That's how I was instructed! 👍

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

Do your spats have velcro or do they button all the way?? Mine button all the way up and I use an old button hook. Those type spats really give those ankles some support.

[@erikbrazzale6978]

Nice I will definitely need help

[@JohnMcKLV]

Back when I played pipes, I was a "lefty"/mirror image player. Looks like I'd be SOL if I tried the full military kit.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I would imagine if you were left handed, your crossbelt would also be "backwards" so you could draw your saber with your dominant hand. But maybe not...

[@JohnMcKLV]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Here's the tricky thing: I'm not lefty-dominant with a sword! The only reason I play mirror-image pipes is because I sat across from my teacher and ... mirrored everything she did on the practice chanter. We didn't catch the mistake for four months or something like that!

[@wfalconerbtinternet]

The bottom of the plaid not the fringe but the main part should be level with the point on the back of the spats

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Don't I say as much in the video? In reviewing, I suppose it may be a touch high, but again, it's impossible to judge exactly without a second set of eyes. I do like how the sett matched up on the plaid and kilt at this height.

[@doughavens615]

Where did you get your broach?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I got the broach from Lone Star Piper.

[@PatrickDionneKuno]

shouldn't the cross belt be over the plaid to hold the plaid in place?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Different regiments wear it different. I prefer over the belt.

[@PatrickDionneKuno]

@@MattWillisBagpiper ah gotcha. thx!

[@88Nikoli]

Why not get a bandmate to assist you with it ?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Most of my gigs are solo…

[@jeffc5474]

I have to admit that if I were to try to do that solo my language would have tanked. Toss in my incomplete paralysis as well and the language would have really tanked.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

You’re missing a Bear Skin on your heid!! Full Nr1s should definitely have one rather than a Glengarry! Tull fan? Brilliant!!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Not a bear skin but a feather bonnet. And it's on its way!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Good man!!

[@DannyBoi2112]

Jethro Tull wooooo

[@jamesfraser4173]

Looks like Air Force Tartan, really.

[@stevenstewart6025]

Can’t swing your sword, dirk or sgian dubh if the plaid was on the other side.

[@highwindsclarke2685]

The correct spelling for this is Brooch.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Learn something new everyday! Thanks!

[@reallyaprilstarr]

I’d much rather put on full belly dance costume, stage makeup, and hair than all this kit. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! I think you'd look rather dashing in all this kilt attire!

[@reallyaprilstarr]

Matt Willis Bagpiper Only with the help of a valet! You should train Cort to be your valet.