Two Tips on Bag Filling Technique For Beginner Bagpipers Learning How to Strike In Drones

[@bagpiperbruce]

your video's are seriously underrated. its a pity we are with so little. these are so valueble lessons, especcialy for beginners

[@GetBagpipeReady]

So glad my videos are of some help, Bruce! Good luck with your channel! For more videos, feel free to go to my website and click on "Workshops". Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/

[@MrBazcabinetmaker]

Watched your video. Tried it. It works. Cheers mate.

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Glad it helped, Barry! :)

[@neilspurgeon0]

As ever. Brilliant coaching

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Thanks Neil for your encouraging comments :) Happy piping!

[@Scott_7604]

Great video for those off the practice chanter and new on the pipes. My buddy wonders what is the tune at ~5:20?

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Thanks Scott! Glad you found this video helpful. The tune at 5:20 is a composition of mine called "The Unveiling". The sheet music can be downloaded from my Patreon. Happy piping😀 patreon.com/GetBagpipeReady

[@stuartcampion1170]

Thank you Alec,really helpful

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Glad it was helpful Stuart! 😀 More Beginner Bagpiping resources at my site: www.getbagpipeready.com/

[@katystorts388]

Thank you for the video! I just received my pipes. I have my drones plugged but still can't strike in! Getting tired, 😅

[@GetBagpipeReady]

You've got this! Keep on piping on 😀 More beginner videos at my site! www.getbagpipeready.com/

[@DanBlackRacing]

Thank you. This was great!

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Wonderful to hear Dan! For more beginner videos check out my site. Happy piping 😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/

[@joymckenzie4290]

Thank you so much Alec. I've been playing for years, but with drone enhancers. I have taken them out and my drones sound so amazing, so much deeper and the resonance is incredible. My bass drone makes a sound before the tenors (before strike in), which, from your video, I have learnt to control. But my questions is, is this normal for the bass drone?

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Great to hear! Hmm could be a couple things causing your bass drone to sound early... 1. your speed of strike in is too slow. Or 2. your bass drone is a bit too open and the bridle on reed can be adjusted to shorten the tounge - this is touchey! just move one side of the bridle a couple milimeters then reassess your strike in. If you are interested in more bagpipe tutoring check out my site :) www.getbagpipeready.com/

[@RoryM22]

Hey Alec! Awesome videos, love what you do. Sadly my bag unfills quite fast, and without a strike or squeezing the air empties pretty fast. My drones also don't play if not fully filled, but without plugging the drones with my fingers it is too hard to pump air into. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Hi Rory! Thanks for reaching out. 1st step would be to check the bag for leaks. If you've done that, purchasing some drone corks can be a helpful tool for learning. Feel free to check out the details of my Bagpipe Coaching services at my site! www.getbagpipeready.com/bagpipeservices

[@RoryM22]

@@GetBagpipeReady Very helpful! will try that, and if that doesn't work ill probably find a new bag that's a bit more professional than mine. Speaking of, do you know where to get some good reeds? I have some but my chanter is getting worn out and i want to find some pretty professional reeds, like the ones you have. Thanks in advance!

[@GetBagpipeReady]

lots of good reed options out there. I do really like Husk reeds though and they are easy to play. www.huskreeds.com/

[@ellemourto1527]

Than you KZbin for recommending this video to me. I've never even seen a bag pipe irl... It's a very cool instrument tho!

[@GetBagpipeReady]

haha too funny KZbin recommended my video to you, Elle! Thanks for watching :)

[@matthawkins8190]

Alec- what is the tune ?

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Thanks for asking Matt! It's the first line of two of a tune I just wrote called "The Unveiling". Keep an eye out on my website for my 2 Bagpipe Sheet Music ebooks which will be coming out shortly. :) www.getbagpipeready.com

[@jmdenison]

I really like the tune you should sell the sheet music on Etsy or something but I really don't know where independent composers sell new music

[@bradhannah4265]

What does it mean when your drones want to start making noise way before the bag is close to full? As I tried this, the drones started making noise really early. Thanks

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Could be that you are still learning the technique Brad. The bag will not be all the way full - you just want to get it as full as possible before you strike in. After the strike -in, the drones are firing nicely and you can finish blowing up the bag. Hope that helps. If the problem persists feel free to check out my website for extra support options! www.getbagpipeready.com

[@Thiagofranze1]

My bass Drone is always making a sound like that kkkkkk

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Thanks for reaching out! A couple things could be going on... 1. not blowing hard enough... or 2. the bridle of the bass drone reed needs to be moved (very slightly) to shorten the reed so it takes less air to get a solid tone. Good luck and feel free to send me an email if you are interested in some online lessons!.😀 I'm taking new students in September. My email is at my site: getbagpipeready.com

[@Thiagofranze1]

@@GetBagpipeReady thank You very much!

[@Jwellsuhhuh]

Bro you need to compress your audio lmao

[@GetBagpipeReady]

haha, one day I will learn more about computers but not today. Today I'm going to play my bagpipes instead! haha!

[@Jwellsuhhuh]

@@GetBagpipeReady yeah it was a joke but basically I need to turn up my volume to max when you talk, and then turn it right back down to 1% when you start playing. So if you select your audio track in your editing software and apply a compressor or limiter effect, you can even out the loud and quiet sounds so they closer to each other in volume

[@GetBagpipeReady]

Actually, That's useful feedback! Thanks very much :)