Properly Setting up YOUR Bagpipes FOR YOU! (4K) - Bagpipe Lessons

Stop struggling with your pipes! In this video, Matt Willis Bagpipes will show you step by step how to make sure your bagpipes are properly set up for your individual strength/level, regardless of your current ability. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this video!
If you enjoy this content, please consider helping support the channel through Matt's Patreon: / mattpiper
For more information on Matt Willis Bagpiper visit:
Website: www.mattpiper.com
Facebook: / matt.piper.willis
KZbin: / mattwillisbagpiper
Instagram: / mattwillisbagpiper
Twitter: / mattwillispiper

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If you've come to this video from a QR code from a Amazon/Pakistani bagpipe purchase, first of all, welcome! That said, I do not endorse the product/pipes this code was included with, and have made two videos on my attempts to make these inexpensive pipes work, and alas, I could not make them play... Video 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaq4qYmrlNKcqZI (unboxing and initial setup) Video 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIewfaKBrK2Zfpo (attempting to make them work with Scottish parts and still failing) If you want to learn how to properly play the pipes, you don't need a full set, only a practice chanter. More info on how to start learning here (free!): bit.ly/BasicsPipes

[@mattmiller5014]

A little story that Piper's may appreciate. I was playing my Bagpipes in a grocery store parking lot one night in 1998 and a disgruntled customer called the police on me. It was 8:00 at night and when the police arrived the officer ask me " Do you know Amazing Grace." Then I played Amazing Grace and the officer told me there was a city ordinance prohibiting making noise after 10:00 at night so I had another hour and a half to Play Away. The disgruntled customer stormed off in a huff . 😊😊😊😊😊

[@pemacal57]

Great!!!!

[@nicolea2839]

Don’t mess with a guy and his bagpipes

[@worm_vaquero]

Does he take requests? Yes, but keeps playing anyway!

[@bartfoster1594]

I played with a band years ago, moved to Arizona and had a heart attack. Thought I'd crawl back to my pipes but then had cancer (again) this time lymphoma of the tongue and throat. Needless to say, I laid off on the pipes again. Okay, I finished radiation and then chemotherapy and now 3 years later I want to play my bagpipes! I thought I'd have to find a good pipe major to go over my pipes, but your videos are helping me get them in shape again. Thank you so much!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

So glad to hear you've recovered enough to get back to piping! It's great to hear these videos have helped you get your pipes working!

[@jazzman1626]

Bart Foster Wow! Getting back to them even after a heart attack?! There’s hope for me yet! Stay safe and well, and I wish you many years of happy piping. 👍

[@mattmiller5014]

@@jazzman1626 I'm 60 now and in 2018 I had 6 heart attacks in one day. The doctors told me at one point I was dead for 13 minutes. I remember floating above watching the doctors zap me with the deffibralators. I woke up a week later. It took me a month to be able to walk again. And 3 years later I am playing the pipes again. I watch Matt Willis Every chance I get.

[@jazzman1626]

@@mattmiller5014 Amazing! I’m 65 next birthday. Just before covid struck, I was thinking of getting my old pipes refurbished and a sheepskin bag put on to get them going again with a senior strength reed. I would have to save up for it though. I go up and down with the enthusiasm for it. Maybe I’ll get motivated someday yet.

[@deadskimountaineer]

@@mattmiller5014 I almost feel like I missed out not having an out of body experience with my cardiac mishap. Not enough to do it again though.

[@lollipop3171]

I've been playing the pipes for 34 years. I was taught by my papa Gilchrist and inherited 2 sets of Laurie's...1 set is 150 years old, the other set of Laurie's is 70 years old and my new set Mc Callums are 16 years old. My papa taught me all this but I was taught on deer hyde bags. Since papa died 2 years ago I've not played as much as we always played together...this has helped me remember alot thank you 😊

[@johnnickpappanastos3382]

If only I had this wealth of knowledge at my fingertips at the beginning of my bagpipes journey! You've made it too easy on today's newbies lol

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! Thank you, good sir.

[@skjaldulfr]

Yeah, come on now! It's supposed to be like a mystery cult. Pipers shouldn't know this until they've endured five years of confusion and embarrassment.

[@robbratsch3095]

Matt, As a new subscriber I’d just like to say thank you SO much for all of the great content. I am continually impressed by your wealth of knowledge and how it is presented. I have been piping for several years and do some teaching as well, but I constantly look for ways to improve. Your generosity in sharing your passion with the piping community is greatly appreciated sir!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I appreciate you taking the time to write that comment. Wow. I'm happy to help and am having a blast making these videos. Cheers!!

[@piperchick]

I love your videos. As a side note: I just wanted to say that is a darn fine looking set of pipes.

[@monkmichael-munkmiikael-hy7842]

Cannot find any more the video under which I put a comment and asked advice on what microphone to use for bagpipe lessons and what you kindly answered. This was several months ago also, yes it took us months of work to succeed. So I will post the results here. Thank you again! ----------------------------- With the help of a sound technician and after hours of trying, we finally succeeded! At first he thought that the decibel range of Blue Yeti was not enough (ca 120db) and we would need a Sennheiser microphone, that was built for drums and could tolerate up to 140db, + had to buy an external sound card. Tried with that and labored, until finally succeeded in Discord to get a perfect bagpipe sound, so that it did not distort the microphone. But then we tried with Blue Yeti also, tuned all the gain and volume down as much as possible by changing various settings and finally succeeded. Heureka! So now we do not need to return the Blue Yeti microphone, it is a good mic and will do the job. In a way it would have been good when that information had been out in the internet someplace, so that we would not have had to again "invent the bycycle", as the saying goes. But now it is done and we learned a lot! Here is the summary the professional sound technician wrote of the problem, it would be good to publish it somewhere for others who might have a similar problem: "If you're using an external or internal microphone with your bagpipes to stream it through Skype, Discord, Messenger or similar, and the sound abruptedly stops, the reason to this might lay within the computer program itself. I do recommend using Discord for such calls as this program has a lot of sound settings, which often are unavailable on e.g. Skype. What you want to do is to turn of any "automatic" sound settings under "App settings">"Voice & Video". Under "Voice processing" you'll want to turn off Echo Cancellation, "none" on Noise suppression, turn off Advanced Voice Activity, and last, you want to turn off Automatic Gain Control. Now, nothing about the sound should be adjusted automatically, and Discord should not cut the sound. You might need to adjust the gain of your microphone manually, and if there is a physical knob for gain, I would mark where the gain should be while playing, and likewise when you're talking. The gain might need to be higher when speaking than when you're playing."

[@hankyu9000kei]

0:46 "I can only play for 30 sec and my face is gone🤪" It's me. HAHA nice video!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hopefully after working on your pipes, you can make it a full minute! ;)

[@thesparklingunicorn8543]

This is very helpful for me as im hoping to get onto the pipes soon ive been learning for some time the reason its taking ages is i have aspburgers syndrome and coordination difficulties.

[@jockin_around8314]

Bit late to the party, but i recently progressed to pipes, and the first two things i NEEDED to do were, replacing the blowpipe valve and changing the mouthpiece to an oval one. Needed a bigger bag aswell, but thats due to the pipes being a custom set from a family member of one of the pipers in our band. But i can safely say, you might only need to change a small aspect of your pipes for them to finally work for you. But dont sweat, youll get there! It’s frustrating to learn, but once you find what works, its like a magic trick.

[@glenkiely4182]

Yep. Lubricate the zip length -both sides. A very informative & entertaining lesson Matt. Thank you.

[@vanessakeith6546]

Awesome - Thanks Matt !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you liked it!

[@EasyGlutenFree]

Hi Matt. Your videos are so helpful. Thank you.

[@LesliePiper]

See you're using the Acklands, I bought them guided by your video on them and I am very satisfied. Keep up the good work: Stay Home, Stay Safe Soon we'll back in the open.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you like them! I'll be doing a full review on the 480s soon.

[@LesliePiper]

@@MattWillisBagpiper i look forward to that

[@joeyrose5300]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@samthebagpiper]

Best bagpipes videos ever. You are doing a immense gift to pipers world.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thank you!

[@pemacal57]

Great video ,as always! ...the part you talk about squeeze and blow is very much important. Thanks so much Matt for share your experience and skills

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pattyelliottseitz7826]

Thank you so much for putting out these videos! It’s been a long three years of not playing my pipes but I’m back playing again but I’m having issues not sure if it’s me out of practice or my pipes ... lots of squealing and funky high pitch noises on the high hand 😩 hopefully I can get down to the issue after watching your video🙂

[@jacobtaggart8950]

Really loved this video. I shared this video to a new Piper who purchased a set of bagpipes and was struggling to break into his bagpipes. I shared this video to all of my bagpipers including him in my pipe band and they thought this video was extremely helpful. Keep up with these videos Matt.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That is great to hear. Thanks for sharing! Hope it helps all of you guys.

[@waynefrancisfuneralbagpipe6551]

Thank you Matt for this series.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you've found them useful!

[@lindsaymunro5480]

Hi Matt as a piper from Scotland this was a great video how to set up your pipes

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fishmut]

Binge watching your videos Matt , I haven’t got bagpipes yet so Im Learning heaps from you before I do , great content as always . 👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gordonpeden6234]

Hey Matt! Thanks for that I've been playing for over 20 years and I'm amazed at some of the basic stuff I've forgotten. So I checked my bag for leaks, re-hemped the drones, blowpipe, and chanter. re-set the drone reeds. Much appreciated. Just needed a gentle push in the right direction.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad to help!

[@aidanryan3010]

My tutor said I was ready for the to buy my first set of pipes last week and I just received them today! This video was a HUGE help and I can’t thank you enough! I had never seen a bagpipe up close and had no idea how I would set it up to play or even get sound out. Thanks to you that was possible! After a few hours I was able to play the scale and a few tunes! Keep up the great videos! Thanks again Matt!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad I could help! I wish I had had this video when I was first starting on the pipes...

[@jazzman1626]

I had to replace a cracked tenor drone stock and used it to place over the reed to blow it, especially the bass drone reed which set off my gag reflex.

[@chrisf1579]

Thanks mat i try it and let you know cheers

[@staciekeenan7953]

Excellent information

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ianreid8899]

Just fitted a new Gannaway (NZ) Leather Bag, and followed your guidance to set up my Pipes. It worked a treat. Manipulated the bridles on the Drones took a little time, but worth the effort. Thank you for your videos, they are informative and easy to follow your instructions.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Fantastic! Gannaway make great bags. I said to someone earlier, there are so many amazing products on the market right now, there's never been a better time to be a piper.

[@roberthafey1563]

i just started watching but u are very explaintive i love it

[@janejohnson7777]

Thank you so much! This was so informative!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dannyking9370]

Your video help me out a lot I’m just teaching myself but I really appreciate the help it made a difference thank you

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it helped!

[@bluestanley123]

Great video! Drone reeds were all over the place but now playing sweet!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Nice! Glad you found the video helpful!

[@EasyGlutenFree]

Hi Matt. Watched this again as I work on my pipes. I realized that my pipes have never been easy to play. Thanks,

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hope this helped you make your pipes easier!

[@Glennovan]

One method I was taught by my pipe major many years ago was when seating the drone reeds into the drone was to put a very very thin brush of nail varnish around where the reed met the drone, this meant the reed would never fall out of the drone but it didn't alter the sound in anyway and you could still easily remove the reed by hand if needed, nothing worse than a drone reed falling into your bag just as you're about to perform! All the best from Scotland

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That would keep it in there... Not sure I'm willing to put clear nail polish on my blackwood though. But yeah, it still beats a reed falling in before a major event!

[@russellwaite5874]

Hi there , new to this channel. But just a quick comment as an experienced beginner I had a leaking synthetic bag without a zipper where the only air was coming from the stitching just behind the chanter stock, so being desperate without the budget for a new bag I applied a lot of thin coats of bicycle innertube repair adhesive with my finger and for just short of £1 , It worked and is still holding a year later.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad to hear it's still holding up!

[@linguistisch]

Man I love these videos Matt. A comment on the water manometer, I think for the beginner it is not super useful like you're mentioning. A number doesn't mean anything if it's not consistent. But in my view it's invaluable when you get up in grade levels. Knowing the pressure number (inches in this case, kPa if you use a blowpro) that you are most comfortable at for your full scale means you get consistent reeds from your favorite supplier. It means you know your own body mechanics and where you play at, and I use it for my drones to dial them in precisely instead of "hunting" when doing maintenance or setting up new reeds. Lastly I think it's helpful because I can tell if it's me that's tired one day or if something is actually off with the reeds because I know the number I am typically playing around.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for the comment! Very much agree. I largely suspect that by the time a player could use a manometer, they likely would already know everything I'm discussing in this video. But perhaps not! I do know that many beginners think things like a manometer (or whatever the gadget of the week might be) is going to to the "key" to unlock their inner potential, when really, as we all know, it's just (focused) practice and time on the pipes.

[@thomasrogan6769]

Hello Matt! I've been playing the chanter for about 7 months and my tutor says I'm ready for my first set of pipes. They should arrive early next week and this video will help a ton! I have never actually seen a bagpipe in person or even heard them. My tutor is going on a month long vacation with his family so I won't be able to take lessons for awhile, but I'd like to get started anyway. Could you possibly make a video on what to after you're done playing? I just would like to know how to put away, deconstruct, clean, and dry the pipes. I'm sorry if I missed a video about this, but the pipes were quite expensive so I want to make sure I'm taking the necessary steps to preserve the instrument. Thank you for the elite videos!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roS9dZmhfLeIjcU

[@uncleho313]

excellent content !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Much appreciated!

[@lukehawkins7591]

Awesome, that was great....given me some good direction😉👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Good to hear!

[@vincentrigby5611]

Great lesson it certainly helped as to starting up as I've never played a BP. Cheers 🍻

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it helped!

[@michaelfaresich3085]

Matt, your awesome !! I lived in Scotland for awhile and in the u.k now. But also reside in massachusetts. My question would be ..why didnt you ever stay there ? Scotland is more then amazing ..its magical. I just came along your site and it's great !! Look forward to watching all your videos and giving a thumbs up to all of them !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Well, never had the opportunity to live in Scotland! And my wife and kids are in Texas, so... :) Glad you found the channel! There are currently 245 videos, so you have your work cut out for you!

[@gunnsmoke357]

Yes, yes, and yes.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Look forward to going step by step through this with my restored Heritage pipes soon!

[@Hexsyn]

Thank you so much for these videos. I haven't started yet, but am gathering all of the chanter and bagpipe information I can to make an educated decision, so your videos help me a lot! Seems odd to me that there are so few videos in this area...

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

So many videos? So few videos?

[@Hexsyn]

@@MattWillisBagpiper *few. Whoops!

[@zeriahtherabbid9463]

Thank you I needed this video

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's great! Hope your pipes are going better!

[@zeriahtherabbid9463]

@@MattWillisBagpiper they are :)

[@pemacal57]

Hello Matt, I’ve just received the reedwrangler mouthpiece. Tomorrow I will install over one of my oval mouthpieces….probably I will need to cut a bit of the reedwrangler…I will see tomorrow. Thanks again

[@nubagpiper7431]

With regard to the tizip lube, I find if you put a blob on each side of the zip mouth where the zip teeth feed into to mesh, it adequately lubricates the mechanism and helps to prevent over spill / leakage / excessive use. Just run the zipper up and down a few times. You really don't need that much lubrication. For the drone strength, I don't use a 'pop' but rather a more gradual increase in pressure via my arm. then I can tell 1. the over pressure required to make the drones stop and is it is sufficient, and 2. what order the drones stop in giving me a clear indication of which one to micro adjust the bridle on. For blowing and arm pressure, absolutely spot on. This seems a very very difficult thing for some people to understand and put into practice, but so so important. Well done.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for the comment! When I get to my more thorough drone reed video, I'll discuss how I make sure my drone reeds are taking the same amount of air, and interestingly enough, that doesn't always mean they turn off at the same time (though that is is often the case). Hope to have that video out within a few weeks. Cheers!

[@stellablue7609]

Great Video. I havent picked up the pipes in 5 years after taking some lessons and want to get back into it. After checking the bag for leaks, I noticed the only think leaking is the blow pipe . Could the moose be leaking? I do not have a moose tool and am just putting the moose in the blow pipe. When the blow pipe is covered it doesn't leak. Thanks..You really should have more subscribers.

[@people-jn5wz]

I like this guy so I subscribed

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! I appreciate it! Closing in on 10,000 subs! Only 1,850 to go! ;)

[@Baladhya]

Great channel! I am re-entering the wonderful world of piping after a 36 year hiatus. Your videos are an incredible resource to be sure, well done! Please, what is the name of the tune in the intro to this video. Thanks from Vancouver Canada

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the channel! The tune can be found here: bit.ly/BlueBonnets

[@jsTNbackpacker]

Do you have a recommendation for a set bagpipes for beginners ( brands and materials)

[@peterbaileybagpiper]

14:09 Now that's a pro-tip right there

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

With this sealed bag I have now, it's all the more important!

[@PiperMV]

Outstanding instructional video (as usual)! The nickel silver drone caps in my 1980 Shepherd S-2’s have come loose. Any suggestions on the best way to re-install the metal caps to the Blackwood? Hemp? Wax?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'd try a few wraps of hemps and see if it's enough, though it may need to be sent off for a professional repair. I'd have to see the parts to give a more thorough opinion.

[@PiperKev]

Awesome video as usual, Matt! Nice to see you're still using the Acklands! Quick question: Do you prefer a reed mandrel or reed poker? I already have one of Chris Apps' mandrels that I've used for years, but it looks like you can make more precise adjustments with the poker. Again, thanks so much for making these! VERY informative!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I use Chisholm's Ultimate poker more, but there are definitely reeds that need the larger, old school awl-style poker. Best to have both. Wish the Jori's tool wasn't so expensive ($30 seems too high, in my opinion).

[@PiperKev]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Yeah, it IS pricey, but I should probably go ahead and get one, too. I'm afraid I'll screw up a reed if I get a little exuberant with my mandrel! :-)

[@pemacal57]

And flat reedwrangler mouth piece is a very good advice!!!!

[@pemacal57]

I've just ordered a mouthpiece at reedwrangler...!

[@ralphhunter118]

on synthetic bags, they can sometimes be leaking from hose clamps if its come loose.

[@leefraim8980]

I use yellow (gas line) plumbers tape for the drones to help slide the tuning part. The yellow tape is a little more “industrial” and holds up well over time. Keeps them from slipping down and going sharp and out of tune.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

My thoughts on teflon tape here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJyTaWeYlt-LipI

[@muhamadridzuan6143]

Great explaination...btw...what that the green one that u cover the reed chanter?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's a Tone Protector moisture control cap from bagpipelessons.com

[@muhamadridzuan6143]

@@MattWillisBagpiper tqvm sir...

[@robertshrive3166]

Hi I just got my first bagpipes and very excited to learn and practice but I did not get any instructions on how or were the drones go hopefully u can help

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That all will be covered in an upcoming video, likely early April. For now, the best you’re gonna be able to do is look at photos of bagpipes and see what fits where… 😕

[@chipbarm1]

Hi there what was the seal you used for the hemp?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It the wax ring you use to install a toilet on. You can buy them for cheap at a hardware store. Then I just scoop some out and put it in a container with a lid. You can also buy "hemp seal" but it's the same stuff...

[@uncleho313]

in the context of easing the play, what s your opinion on synthetic chanter reed ?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

All of the brands on the market currently (at least that I'm aware of) are pretty terrible. I certainly wouldn't play any of them. If Legere ever gets in the market, I'd happily try one of those.

[@traildogisla]

What was the tune at the end? I'm off to check everything as per this video!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'm playing the classic tune "Wings" on my Robbies at the end of the video

[@Ashleydlmtg]

Hi, crazy question. I have a plastic Kron chanter and a ridge cut shepard reed. The high hand is flat. Taping is about flattening the notes if I remember correctly (just getting back in to this after a decade long hiatus) What do I do? Shepard reeds just no good with Kron? How do I sharpen the notes?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Sounds like you need to seat the reed deeper in the chanter. Might have to remove a bit of hemp to do so. Here's my video on chanter tuning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emG3m52ngLdripY

[@malachygossett1674]

Funny you mention face strength. When I was 13 I got hit with braces. That was painful. And nothing is worse than a case of Belles Palsy. 5 years later, I still don’t have the strength I had. Why I picked up the bellows instruments.

[@gapdragon01]

So your drone reed was loose... What are your thoughts on threading the reed seat? Or is that another video??

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Tapping the seats with threads can definitely help, but I've never done it myself...

[@denniscalahan7985]

hello matt can you tell me what reed you like too used and where to order them thank you for your help

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Likely a Chesney chanter reed. Bought through Lone Star Piper.

[@denniscalahan7985]

cool thank you for the info

[@rawkfistfe]

Could you please make a video how to prevent howling drone reeds with a high pitch? Before my strike in, the drones are howling very high, even with a small amount of pressure. This sound is not very nice. When I increase the pressure the drones start working or sometimes they stay in this howling high pitch sound. I really like your channel and your videos :) this would be a very helpful video again for me :)❤

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Sounds like the reeds are not well suited to your brand of pipes. I have yet to find a solution to this wheezing other than trying different brands of reeds... :(

[@matthewdenty7760]

Awesome break down for a newb like me ... Looking forward to the drone reeds video ..I sometimes get them louder than my chanter to be in tune lol

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If you adjust your drone reeds as shown in this video, it may well fix the loudness issue. Let us all know!

[@matthewdenty7760]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I difenettly will next time the gf,s out... I'll get them to that proper sensitivity of "gurgle or choke" before anything else...... I understand how longer and shorter lengths of the tuning screw and sliders change pitch ,also the height of the chanter reed seating... the blade and bridle can change volume (dbs)but I'm still clueless as to how the blade length changes hz , Might be my reed needing to be poked and scraped? I just hope it's rare that ones chanter reed and drone reeds are incampatable ... like trying to play A chanter and Bb reeds for example

[@matthewdenty7760]

@@MattWillisBagpiper turning my tuning screw in lowered the volume while moving my bridals I went from a double tone/gurgle to a mono tone making my drones quieter also

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Matthew Denty interesting... I’ve never thought to pay attention to volume and tuning screw placement. Hope you’re enjoying your more mellowed drones!

[@matthewdenty7760]

@@MattWillisBagpiper eventually I shall🤣 By shortaning my screw pin and bridal adjustment I got higher pitch,.. sliders were too short to let me tune... so i had to re hemp my drones to be less seated... now I'm poking a reed to lower pitch ... the crow once in high g and high a that i fixed I've now put in low g ... so its poke and scrape practice again too I now see why pipers like the term intuition,, fancy word for "i know this shit" 👍

[@tonyperez2422]

Matt, I was curious why it’s necessary to adjust your drones to cut off with enough pressure. Is it to have cleaner cut-offs?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It does help with cut offs, but it's really to make sure you're not killing yourself trying to support/blow drone reeds that are taking too much air.

[@TheeBadAndy]

What drone reeds are those? Auckland?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yep, those are Acklands!

[@samroy18]

Good morning from Northern Ireland. Looking bit of advise on what size of bag to get. Im rouhgly 5'7 -5'8 light frame im currently playing a medium bag. Im not long back to piping after taking a break for a few years. Sometimes im finding thr bag a bit awkward would it be worth while looking at a extended small canmore hybrid? Many thanks Sam

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If you have shorter arms or a bigger torso (barrel chested or a bit of extra weight in the chest), an extended small may be a better fit. I have pretty long arms, so mediums tend to work better for me.

[@samroy18]

@MattWillisBagpiper thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I think it may just be a case of not playing for so long and expecting the fitness I once had 4 or 5 years ago overnight.

[@MrBOILER666]

Is that the Eddy van Halen bagpipecoverdesign? 👍🏻😃😉

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yes indeed!

[@mikegilbert119]

Hi Matt. Have you ever had to mic your pipes for performing in a loud environment?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I needed a mic back when I used an acoustic bagpipe with my rock band The Killdares. Shure WB-98 wireless mic on a custom mic clamp attached to the chanter stock.

[@JBrooksNYS]

This is great. This is why I never play my pipes. Just my smallpipes. I cant keep them up and running because I dont know how the hell to do it.

[@johnwillis7715]

Will Bee's wax work in lieu of Black Cobbler's?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

No, beeswax is a lubricating wax, not an adhesive wax. Totally different jobs/purposes.

[@lancepicton2167]

So i've got a "Medieval" set of pipes, (2) drones. it uses a standard chanter reed and synthetic drone reeds. What if I've got an already soft Chanter reed, but the drones cut out shortly after the chanter starts playing. (Bridles are as far as they can go, towards the stock.) Any ideas how to make the drone reeds "harder to cut off"?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If the bridles are all the way up, that's about all you can do. Sounds like the chanter reed is too hard.

[@lancepicton2167]

@@MattWillisBagpiper hum, okay I think the chanter reed is easy. Maybe there's a harder drone reed available somewhere. These look as if they were hand crafted.

[@affintlewoodlewix]

Can anyone tell me what he says at 15.03? I've listened to it a dozen times and asked a friend and even slowed the video down but we can't figure it out, something to do with "the wax ring the toilet sits on".

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yep, that's what I said. This stuff here: www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Standard-Toilet-Wax-Ring-007004/100211506

[@lindabarwick4675]

I inherited my dad's bagpipes after he passed away as I had started taking lessons. One set he bought brand new in 2016. The other set of bagpipes belonged to my great-grandfather and was given to my dad when my great-grandfather passed away. Estimated age of that set is 80+ years old. My question is to all bagpipes need a moose valve? My dad had one in the newest set but not in the older set.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

All pipes need a valve of some sort, but not necessarily a moose valve. I might avoid a Moose valve on an older set unless you are willing to remove each time. I wouldn't want moisture just sitting against the old wood for that long.

[@lindabarwick4675]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you for answering my question. There is a blowpipe flapper valve in both sets.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

This is really interesting. How much effort is needed to swap from mouth blowing to arm blowing? Does it feel odd? Or is quite easy to change between instruments?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

When first transitioning to the pipes, it definitely takes some time and effort...

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Always up for a challenge!! Still love my GHBs so want to get back into a position to play those as well. Let's see what the Docs say...

[@gppasini7620]

Matt, I really like the diver watch you are wearing in this video. Would you mind sharing the model, please? Thanks a million.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It was this one right here: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744Q1P46/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I've worn nicer automatic watches in the past, but in the rough and tumble world of bagpipe repair and being onstage, I find a good Timex does the job and I'm not crestfallen if damaged!

[@gppasini7620]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you, Matt! I just find this watch very clean and readable. I just bought a used Seiko 007JP but not a clear dial as this Timex model (NB: I just hate having to wear my reading glasses for ... reading the hour on my wrist watch. TA.

[@chrisf1579]

When i lean forward my base drone to tune the tone sound fine but when i lay it on my shoulder the tone changes could you give my your ideas please

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That happens with some bass drone/reed combos, and I don't think anyone has fully figured it out. I'd try a different bass drone reed and see what it does...

[@chrisf1579]

Hello mat cheers for your advice about mt faulty base drone.The fault base drone was a ezee drone increased absorption ,previous was crozier omega drone reeds and now ive read about the kelt drone reeds sound of cane but no cane moisture problems what do you think about them thanks

[@cbasalt12754]

I see that you are using a Reedwrangler mouthpiece (or some other flat mouthpiece). Do you prefer this to an oval one? I'd love to give a different kind a try.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I do prefer the Reed Wrangler to a oval mouthpiece. I like how flat it is. I started having some pretty bad dental issues from round blowpipes, so I had to switch to keep my teeth from hurting (and no, I was biting the blowpipe). I'll be doing a Reed Wrangler review in the next few weeks.

[@cbasalt12754]

Thanks. Good to know

[@UnderwaterGeek007]

Hi there, Matt am try to think name of that tune you played at the end of clip..

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

At the end of the whole video? That's "All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border"

[@UnderwaterGeek007]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Hi Matt, No disrespect to you. are you sure give me right name of tune. time stamp 24:40 tune

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

@@UnderwaterGeek007 Ah, that's "Wings" at that time stamp.

[@UnderwaterGeek007]

@@MattWillisBagpiper nice tune need to relearn it.. great Channel you do.

[@beansthebrown978]

I just got me some bagpipes for my graduation present. I have a leather cap on the blowie end and I'm wondering were I could get one of those "moose" things

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

What brand? How long have you been learning on the practice chanter? In any case, link to moose valve: www.hendersongroupltd.com/product/moose-valve/

[@beansthebrown978]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Holy crap! Did not think you'd respond! Wow. Well I only just recently started so I'm still really new. I'll get back to you on the type tomorrow because it's like 1 am... Just have to say that you are such a big help and I 100% support what you are doing.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you like the channel! As I say in my intro video, I try to get to every comment. Cheers!

[@mjentertaintment2706]

Are the ear plugs because of how loud the instrument is?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Very much so. One would quickly damage their hearing if they spent more than a few minutes around highland bagpipes indoors without hearing protection.

[@zacharyrowe8395]

What can we do about the slober factor lol. I always set my pipes up same way as you but i find i drool a ton.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I've never been much of a slobberer, so I don't have much advice for that! Swallow more often?

[@nubagpiper7431]

Are you a beginner? I find that beginners (and especially biters) tend to be wetter blowers. As you develop (practice!) as a player, you obtain more control(and set up experience), you are more at ease, and fight less with the instrument, and usually become a drier blower. Think of it a bit like if you start running. At the start of your running career you are out of breath and develop a lot of spit, but as you develop as a runner your breathing becomes more controlled, you can pace yourself better and you develop a lot less spit. Piping is the same, its a physical instrument, you need to be 'pipe fit'. Good product for slavers is a trapdri, and you can use a standard bottle with it or, upgrade to the bottle with the silica (I'm not a fan of that though). Good luck anyway a' bhalaich

[@zacharyrowe8395]

I been on the pipes for 5 years and i am a bitter. Perhaps that's my problem. I been fighting to break the habit but its not easy when you been doing it for so long

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

Where did you get the shaped mouth piece protector?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It's the reed wrangler... www.reedwrangler.net

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

@@MattWillisBagpiper On order! Thanks!! I was thinking of concocting something until I saw the price! You know how Highland Scott's can be! 😁 But my next question is can you trim the length? My PH have some decorations on the blow pipe.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can cut it, but it’ll still add .5 to .75 inches to the length...

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I'm a 6 footer, so that won't be any problem. Thanks again! I never thought about using thread to "fine tune" those joints! Thanks for that too as well! 👍🥃

[@steve-sz5nu]

What is the best set of budget pipes for a beginner?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Lowest priced playable/quality bagpipe: www.jhiggins.net/abp0-mccallum-plastic-bagpipes-acetyl-in-stock/

[@michaelmcdermott2629]

Do not buy the acetyl bagpipes mentioned, the moisture control is horrendous and only causes more problems for a begginer

[@CamJam312]

I wish this video was up four years ago when I first started 😂

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I wish I had known this when I started!

[@DannyBoi2112]

Same, i wish I knew simple techniques to test for airtightness

[@Missbagpipernorthwest]

This is the most unusual pipe bag I have ever seen! What is the backstory?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The cover? Based on Eddie Van Halen’s original Frankenstrat from Van Halen I.

[@douglasbrown5189]

What was the wee tune at the end??

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Wings is the tune I play on the pipes near the end...

[@douglasbrown5189]

@@MattWillisBagpiper excuse my ignorance, I only started learning about 6 months ago :) really liked the tune

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

No worries! 👍👍

[@shinano3010]

What is the best beginner pipe for a reasonable price

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Any bagpipe from R.G. Hardie or McCallum will serve you well (either poly or blackwood, though I seriously recommend blackwood over plastic/poly). Dunbar, Wallace, and MacLellan are also great choices. It's a good time to be a piper, with so many great instruments being made today.

[@shinano3010]

Thanks so much

[@liamcampbell8810]

My blowpipe has an internal valve but there is air leaking out of it and it can be really annoying, any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Can you access the internal valve? I'd want to make sure it's clean and seated well. If it still won't seal, you may want to consider a Moose valve. Best of luck!

[@liamcampbell8810]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks, it's the RG Hardie adjustistick blowpipe, it came with my pipes and it says in the instruction booklet that the bottom of the blowpipe can be screwed off to access the valve, but nobody in the house is able to unscrew mine so it might be faulty. What is a moose valve? Might get one of them if they're worth getting.

[@robbratsch3095]

Liam Campbell Hey Liam, I would say that dollar for dollar the moose valve is one of the best modifications you can make on a set of pipes. It installs in the stock of the blowpipe rather than on or in the blowpipe itself and provides a very reliable one way seal. If you get one you won’t regret it!

[@liamcampbell8810]

Rob Bratsch thanks they sound great, I’ll probably be ordering one soon then 👍

[@PiperKev]

Acklands!!!

[@JBrooksNYS]

Anyone know the name of the intro music?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It’s “All the Blue. Bonnets Are Over the Border”: bit.ly/BlueBonnets

[@JBrooksNYS]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks!! I’m all over it!

[@libramagyk]

Im Only just now a starter..fingers crossed..these reeds are 🤦‍♀️

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Try these videos to get your chanter reeds working: kzbin.info/aero/PLc21D3cFD-pjNJvxPhvud-Z5AMgpck9-2

[@jazzman1626]

All the best pipers I’ve known had pipes that were very easy to blow and keep going. Two of the guys were built like brick sh... er outhouses. I spent so many years trying to get my pipes (RG Lauries) to be like them. Fighting them was the reason I gave up on them. Chanter reeds are way too hard even the so called easy ones.

[@n9sferatu261]

My nama borat I lika pipes

[@vacuumlover1]

I’m a bass clarinetist, why am I here?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Because bagpipes are cool?

[@jeremyrusu9687]

I approve of base clarinets, I play one also.