We had our autumn band workshop this past weekend.

It's the workshop where all skill levels in the band are welcome to attend.

There wasn't really a plan or a focus point communicated before the weekend, our P/M said something about the 2/4 being a point, the other player/instructor (still not really sure what his role basically is) said something about the new msr, but said he would talk with P/M about that. We didn't get any further information (and the one before was only given after asking)

We also had an external instructor booked (I'm focusing on piping here, as the drums had no problems) who was supposed to stay the whole weekend (Friday evening till Sunday around lunch time) but made it clear on Friday that he had to leave Saturday afternoon.

On Friday we started with the MSR march. One player had had already looked at it, for the others it was new (I kind of know the tune as it was a friend's competition tune, but never played it)

We started right into the tune at a challenging speed (didn't use a metronome so can't really say how many bpm) and even after asking we slowed down a little, but not enough to being able to play the stuff in there correctly (we asked for "our" slow, as it would have been at least 20 beats below what we started with)

We didn't really get anywhere with it on the friday. On Saturday we started again with the March, again at nearly the same speed from before. He gave pointers about cuts and dots in the tune. We jumped between the March, then the strathspey from our medley(not everyone can play this one either) and the jig, back to one or two tune of our 2/4 set, then back to the March. We did this till around lunch time. In the afternoon we started late without him as he had to leave. And we finished at not even six o'clock. On Sunday we did the same and even piped the tune again(which we already tried Saturday afternoon) it sounded....interesting would be a polite way to put it.

I'm really frustrated after this weekend as now I can go back to square -5 with this tune because I practically trained sh*t into my fingers all weekend (messed up c-doublings, left the short notes out of it basically) and now have to spend the next couple of weeks to practice it properly.

I'm someone in the band who speaks up about stuff like that and now I'm trying to let it sit for a day or two before I'm saying something to the P/M.

Sorry if formatting is off, typed it on mobile.

Limited info for obvious reasons:

The longer I have been playing the more I notice (1) pretty big errors in my PMs playing, and his instructions. These include issues with embellishments and timing. (2) He always diagnoses players issues as being a result of technique. He doesn't check reeds, or setups, leaks, nothing - it's always player technique in his view, reed too hard - technique, reed too easy- technique. (3) The band are often really out of tune and we dont use chanter tape, just adjust the seating of the reed.

This is mostly a bit of a rant, but I also don't know what to do (aside from leaving the band). I don't want to seem arrogant or too big for my boots. I have so much still to learn, but I want to make sure I'm learning it correctly.

Are most higher grade pipe bands using sheep bags? I keep hearing there is a tonal difference. Is there a difference in feel over, say a hybrid like a Bannatyne?

I’m aware of the set-backs/challenges/limitations of sheep, it’s been about 40 years since I played a hide bag.

Cheers.

Hi everyone!

I am from Brazil and will be traveling to Scotland in the next year (2027). I am thinking about buying a bagpipe and learn how to play it.

As after this trip I don't plan to return to Scotland in at least some years (already went there in 2023), I am planning to buy a practice chanter and also a bagpipe.

Does anyone more experienced have already heard about Bagpipes Galores store? It is located in Edinburgh.

They have this bagpipe for less than 500 pounds (https://www.bagpipe.co.uk/products/highland-bagpipe-delrin-synthetic). Is it of good quality?

This program was shown on BBC Northern Ireland in 2011, but it isn't available anywhere online as far as I can find. Does anyone have a recording they would sell or somewhere they can point me to watch? Thanks

What sort of ranges are you seeing from your chanters? From case to execution.

I understand the variation and considerations. Just seeing whats happening with the little cane guys across the spectrum

It is unwise to play a thin cowhide bag without a bag cover for a long time in the rain.  

It rained all day out at the festival, 7 hours or so. The ground was a sea of mud, The raised grassy platform that was the stage had a pond on one end. There was no overhead cover. Somehow, there was a crowd. I was in a great kilt, and not supposed to wear an Inverness cape. Dancers put on their shrawls and slipped on the muddy ground while I played.

Each performance was half an hour. Even before the first performance, the bag was soaked from the outside, just from being out of the case. Soon, water soaked into the bag, and diluted seasoning started to leach out through the entire surface. Thin seasoning drained past the reed, down the chanter, and out onto my fingers. Birls became very easy to play, before everything became sticky. The saving grace was that the bag remained air tight. The chanter, however, was no longer balanced. 

One tenor shut off. I found out later that the drone reeds were all covered by a thin sheen of seasoning that had travelled up the stocks. Seasoning got under the synthetic tenor tongues. When I blew on the staple end of the chanter reed, seasoning came out between the blades. It’s a miracle it was still making sounds. The only thing unaffected was the cane bass.

I plugged in my back up chanter, and new reeds all around, but then I couldn’t tune because all the hemp joints were swollen tight. 

The dancers, very politely, said they didn’t notice anything untowards - just another piper wrestling with the thing. They had their own situation in the grassy mud. Some in the audience were happy to sway and danced in the rain. Those walking by, in their clear dome umbrellas, swaggered to the discordant sound. A child swirled around and around. Somehow, fun was had by all. I was tipped well on top of the contracted pay.

It’s the national instrument of rainy Scotland, but enjoy in moderation. In retrospect, a hybrid bag, sans seasoning, would have been the better choice. Even just a bag cover would have mitigated the situation. 

These were recently sold on eBay. Any idea what they were? Has similar ferrules to my vintage Lawries.

Does anyone know who Donald MacLellan of Rothesay was? I am learning the tune and have been trying to find out more about the actual person, but am coming up short. Any info would be appreciated!

Hi all,

As I've mentioned in the past I don't have any way to practice the pipes daily so I know my progress in excruciatingly slow but I feel like I'm not practicing properly...
At first I played with all the drones corked and it was fine. When I opened the outer tenor it became more problematic but doable. Now I'm not sure when to try opening the bass. When I try it I usually start messing up since I'm unable to keep up with filling the bag.
Basically what I'm trying to ask is should I keep practicing with tenor and bass so I get used to it and build up stamina or should I be more or less perfect with just the outer tenor before adding the bass?

At the moment I keep jumping from one open drone to two and then (usually) back to one and it feels like the wrong thing to do.

Thanks

alright, I have maker down, first off. I apologize for coming into this subreddit with little to no research. I got an idea on how it works. but assuming I’m a beginner, I would like to skip to a half set, I know this makes zero sense. I feel I get better value and it can’t be that difficult to learn plus everything is there I might as well right. I do wish I can buy a full set but my funds are a bit tight. I would like to know how easy is it to upgrade to a full set. If I understand correctly it’s just certain parts to add like customization. i would like to know if I really am missing out though if do stick with a half set. is a full set really worth it or can I do without. I know it’s up to me but still. Could one achieve no limitations on a half set and stick with it. I would assume if I suck or not I can upgrade so that’s a way to look at it. I also am confused about makers retail. Obviously, Ebay is a no-no, I would like the best so I would assume perhaps getting them from Ireland, you know because it’s a product of Ireland. Correct me if I am wrong but should I not get these from USA. In Texas and It would be cool to own actual Ireland Bagpipes. Either way, I found a French maker xavier boderiou and a decent one in USA Fred Morrison but what does everyone think. apologize for my lack of knowledge again. I saw one were you can get a quote but that sounds like a stretch. I aim for a budget of $6000 no more. This is my second instrument I am buying, I own a didgeridoo. I know this a huge step and I’m aware of being difficult to learn. But that won’t stop me. I like the sound of this instrument. It’s beautiful.

Please use this thread to discuss whatever piping related questions you may have, or comment to help others.

I'm trying a sheepskin bag on my band pipes for the first time, but I'm struggling to get it airtight.

It's tied in and seasoned but it's not holding air - after even 5 seconds I can put another mouthful of air. I've had my pipe major look over it and he reckons it's fine (it's not). I've tried the soapy water on the outside trick and I discovered that it's leaking along the welt/seam out the stitch holes.

After I discovered this I seasoned it again and focused on the seam, knelt lightly on the bag as Pipers Dojo suggests to get the seasoning into the "secret pores", and immediately after I did the seasoning it was super airtight and I was really happy with it. So I let it drain and set overnight, but now it's leaking along the seam again.

Unfortunately when I got this bag I was slack (work got in the way etc you know how it is) and it was a few months before I properly tied it in and seasoned it so I fear it got too dry in that time and I've irreparably damaged it. I had it stored in my spare room during that time.

I'm considering putting some Shoe Goo or other leather type glue along the outside of the welt to seal it but not sure.

Any suggestions would be welcome! I've heard such good things about sheepskin bags and their airtightness that I'm keen to get it sorted but as I said I fear I may have damaged it by leaving it so long.

What can you tell about your experiences with Twist-Trap Practise Pipes R.G.Hardy? Do they help you to start playing on a mouth blown instrument that closely resembles the Highland Bagpipes?

Hi everyone, I’m looking to buy my first set of pipes and could really use some advice.

I am from Germany, have been playing the practice chanter for about a year now, and I am taking online lessons with a piping teacher. I already have my eyes on the Bagpipes Galore Mouthblown Borderpipes in the Key of A, but I am torn between getting these or going for a traditional Great Highland Bagpipe.

Here is my situation and what I want to achieve:

• Main Goal: My ambition is to perform mostly indoors (in halls, smaller venues, chapels, and for things like church or Christmas concerts).

• Ensemble Playing: I want to play together with other musicians, specifically smaller orchestras, brass bands, or acoustic ensembles. I want to play tunes like Scotland the Brave and Albany.

My main worries are:

1. Volume: I know the GHB is extremely loud (110+ dB) and might completely blast away a small orchestra and the audience in a small chapel. Are Borderpipes (around 95-100 dB) acoustic-friendly enough for indoor Christmas concerts without overpowering everyone?

2. Key of A vs. Bb: The Bagpipes Galore set is in Konzert-A, which seems perfect for playing with normal orchestras without making them transpose everything. Is it as seamless as it sounds?

3. Repertoire: I have sheet music for Scotland the Brave and Albany. Since the fingering is the same, can I just play my standard tunes on the Borderpipes when playing solo, and it will just sound a bit warmer/deeper?

Given my ambition to play indoors and with other instruments, would you highly recommend going with the Mouthblown Borderpipes in A, or is there a reason I should still consider a GHB?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Be nice, it’s my first shot at this tune. 😁

Hey everyone. I'm based in Brisbane Australia and I'm looking to buy my first set of pipes and other than one Facebook group and a shop I'm wondering if there is anywhere else to look? I'll be checking everything through my tutor before purchasing but the Facebook group he sent me doesn't send very active and the shop I know about only has one set that's on the cheaper side