Command Your Bagpipe # 7: What's in your Sporran? Don't get caught unprepared! - Bagpipe Lessons

[@fdcap9835]

10:04 Great video! I have an old RX Pill Bottle that I use to keep everything in. I also keep a couple of large Safety Pins (for those band members with “Kilt” emergencies (Strap breaks or needs to be extended! lol)), as well as dental rubber bands and a small square of 220 Grit sandpaper.

[@Fabtech44]

I allocate a good deal of space for scotch mysel, glad you added that bit!

[@Donnybrook10]

just checked my sporran...tape, hemp, extra reeds...leatherman, beer money, snares, fire kit, glock 26/xtra mag, first aid kit, fishing kit, shelter, paracord.

[@zacharyrowe8395]

I too keep a challenge coin in my pipe case. It's one from AA to remind me not to get discouraged. I think i will start putting it in my sporan as well.

[@jacobkillmon9359]

Spare reed, good idea, coin or challenge coin is a must, rather than a wallet I just rubber band my ID, card, and about $20 in cash together, I wrap spare hemp around the blow stick stock and it hides under the bag cover, chanter has extra tape on it already, I don’t typically use earplugs but if I do, I just hang them around my neck, keep my wee vape in my vest or shirt pocket, that’s about it. I hate a thick sporran. I prefer to keep them low profile, but I’ll definitely add pens to the side, can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself. Cool video!

[@alreist4907]

All very good. Too many pipers go to a job without all they need. I have three suitcases my car trunk with a supply of spare parts and uniform pieces. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you are enjoying the channel! And yes, I also have cases of extra stuff with me most of the time...

[@jacobtaggart3944]

A good alternative if you can’t put a spool of waxed hemp in your sporran is Teflon tape/plumbers tape. It works well from my experience. You can get this at most hardware stores. Learned this from my pipe Sargent.

[@akocker6720]

Nice video! The basic principal of what you carry in your sporran is a lot like what I used to carry in a small stuff bag when I was doing a lot of climbing and camping: Items, the lack of which had ruined previous trips. Or that might. So it's a combination of anticipation and bitter experience. Personally, I carry many of the same items you do. They are things that could ruin a performance that are still small enough to carry with you. Main differences for me are a smaller and lighter Leatherman tool, and a spool of plumbers tape instead of hemp--less purist but quicker and easier to use if there's a problem with a joint.

[@jacobtaggart3944]

Great video Matt, just got my sporran for my pipe band outfit yesterday. Great suggestions on what to keep in there. Doing my first events coming up in a few weeks. Wish me luck

[@jensmacgillivray6328]

Great idea with the spare reed

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ask me how I learned that lesson.... Sigh.

[@amanfromaplace]

Would you consider doing a video on setting up a whole personal uniform, for solo gigs not associated with one's pipe band? Decisions on tartan selection, top styles, headwear, footwear, etc.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Interesting thought for a video. Let me think on it.

[@davidslobod5726]

Holy smokes Matt, you’re lucky your kilt stays up with all that! LOL My wallet is indeed George Costanza sized so there’s not much room for anything else but havng a spare reed and some hemp on hand is a great idea. I also keep a few slivers of rock collected from Edinburgh Castle in my pipe case for good luck.

[@chrisrodgers6305]

Back to the Future!

[@chickenporkadob0]

i saw some Pipers have an extra pouch (same tartan of their kilt) that attaches to their belt and covered by their plaid. maybe sporran is not enough for them 😊😊

[@dougdraper4892]

I go through a similar process each trip to a ren faire. While my list of items just in my sporran is much less (key fob, wallet (full wallet that I usually have in my back pocket), and cell phone) - I also do a mental inventory of what I'm wearing that day. Do MUPB specs, or your own, limit what you can wear on your belt? For example: could you wear your Leatherman or your flask on your belt, instead of keeping them in your sporran. Depending on the venue, TABC love to know what's in your flask.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

KEYS. Sigh. I knew I forgot something. I'll add it to the checklist! I have a paired-down keyring I use when I travel so I'm not shoving 12+ keys in the sporran. As for MUPB uniform, depending on the event, we allow water bottle holders, but that's it. For our competition uniform, we don't even wear a belt, as we have vests, so...

[@nicolea2839]

The Scottish survival kit!

[@thesuper8mm1]

For extra tape you can wrap it around a pencil and then cut the pencil to the length of your tape. Where can we get of of your Challenge coins?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Excellent question! As of right now, my pipe band does not have them for sale online, but let me see what I can do about that!

[@SeamusMcNeil]

Really loving all your videos mate. Wanted to ask if you will ever do a comparison video on blow-pipe valves? Oh and I am now in the process of using Polyester thread on my 1980 Gillander and McLeod pipes. It was an interesting series and at one point I thought you were going back to hemp. All the best and thanks again Cheers Jim p.s. Just supported you on Patreon

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you’re enjoying the videos! I did go to real hemp for a few months, but after last week’s rain and subsequent swelling, I knew my choice would be. And no, no blowpipe comparison, but a great idea!

[@Reedc16]

Do you know Michael Lancaster he’s my bagpipe instructor

[@kandem01]

Could you do a maple leaf forever video? I can't find a how to play vid of it anywhere? Also....go Jays!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Stars fan here (I mean, I do live in Dallas!). As for "Maple Leaf Forever", that might be a good one for next Canada Day

[@matthewdenty7760]

Coins from other countries , gems from renaissance, rocks my girl gave me cause she thought they were pretty at the age of 2, kilt pin and big Bobby pin and my newfoundland tartan garter flashes

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

You’re lucky chap! If we’re out at a party, my sporran’s full of my good ladies accoutrements so then she doesn’t need a handbag…. 🙄 Piping stuff? Not so much…….

[@CygnusMaximusXIII]

Very late to the game, but if a whole roll of hemp (even a reduced one) is too big, you (or a friendly sewing person) can use a sewing machine to spin some around a bobbin, which should be plenty in a pinch and is much, much smaller.

[@tylerboydstun527]

What's a challenge coin?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Here's the Wikipedia entry on challenge coins: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin

[@karenmooney8379]

I'm not familiar with a challenge coin--what is that?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Here's the Wikipedia entry on challenge coins: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin Cheers!

[@anthonypattison6941]

what is a challenge coin sir

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Here's the wikipedia entry on challenge coins: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin

[@anthonypattison6941]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you sir