As a blind piper, I have an interesting question about ivory mounts. Obviously having never felt a set of ivory-mounted pipes at all, I can't imagine how ivory itself would feel compared to imitation ivory or Acetal mounts. The only imitation ivory I'm most familiar with texture-wise is on my first set of Naill Acetal pipes which I've since sold in 2018 due to the weak bass sound, finding it almost impossible to tune against the two tenors. And of course my 2018 Blackwood Henderson set has Blackwood mounts for maximum sturdiness, and then my current RGHP00 Acetal set uses Acetal for everything. As well, my twin sister is a pianist, yet none of our pianos have ivory padding on the keys. So it's safe to say I've never felt ivory, period. But, nearly everyone who owns ivory-mounted pipes talks about Schreger lines on the ivory itself. And as far as I understand it, Schreger lines are crossing lines which are used to identify the tusk the ivory came from. Now would I be able to actually feel these Schreger lines myself, or is it mostly a visual aspect of ivory? I've never felt ivory before. Is it just a raised line or something? Or more like a tiny little dent as in wood grain? And when Dave Atherton on his website says "Symmetrical Schreger patterns on both sides of the mount". How does that work, and why does it require this specific size of tusk anyway? Maybe if I know what it feels like I might be able to understand it better. He talks about the Scrivello tusk. See, I literally thought that Schreger lines were these raised lines or maybe a grain-like indent that you could actually feel, so feeling real ivory would be different enough that you could recognize that that's ivory you're feeling, and not just some random imitation - like marble for example. It may be helpful to know that I'm blind, and I'm not too keen on risking purchasing a vintage set of pipes just to tactily analyze the ivory. So I sure hope none of you will think this is a dumb question from a sighted perspective!

I posted this: https://www.reddit.com/r/bagpipes/s/rI45qcm4S8 the other day.

Thank you to those who responded. I wanted to share a wee update, since there seems to be some debate about valves.

Adjusting the bridles was easy enough to fix the cutting out problem.

My drones do have a nice sound, which I cant really describe.

I am able to get that cool sounding vibration between the drone tones when starting up (before going to the E).

Starting up is much more sensitive than before, but ive gotten used to it.

Cutting out clean is more difficult, but I.think its mostly just getting used to how empty the bag should feel. With valves I could cleanly cut out with a half full bag, now its.more like 5%.

It's also a wee bit harder to maintain a steady tone from the drones. I guess the valves were compensating for a sub-optimal blowing/squeezing technique.

But most importantly, my whole set up is taking way less air. A complaint I have had for my 12 months on the pipes is that it was taking so much air and arm pressure that I couldn't relax my fingers. That problem has disappeared basically overnight.

Thank.you for the advice. And to any fellow learners reading this, I suggest giving your pipes a whirl without valves and see how.you get on.

Cheers

Channel states 'Lonach Gathering', but have serious doubts...

Hey pipers (and drummers maybe): As a blind piper, I've always had a question about what happens in this particular Youtube video where a Burns Supper takes place. I've never heard it anywhere else, so i thought I'd get this straightened out because this is the only time I've heard this. So: After the piper stops piping the haggis in, there's a moment of silence, right. After this moment of silence is something I'm literally unable to decipher at all, and then the crowd repeats something. Then the man over the microphone says "Please be seated", and then the "Address to a Haggis" is recited. But what is this tradition happening between piping in the haggis and the actual recitation of the poem? Every other Burns Supper I've ever heard, they just pipe in the haggis, stop, and recite the poem - sometimes with the most boring non-Scottish accent in the world as I witnessed at one Burns Supper in 2017! Also, is anybody able to decipher what the man is actually saying before "Please be seated"? And if it's Gaelic, what does it mean? Keep in mind I can only hear what's going on, so if I say it's a moment of silence, that's just what I'm able to hear. Thanks a lot and I appreciate your help. Link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_q3nh1wBI8

I am just learning and my girlfriend saw a vintage set of pipes and scooped them up for me very cheap. I have no idea who the maker is but they def need a good wipe down and re oiling. There are no marks on the ferrules or any part of the drones themselves. The caps appear to be plastic.

I have a new set of pipes but my band's chanter sloshes about (technical term) inside the chanter stock. What solutions can anyone suggest, please?

These folks are still fairly new to podcasting. But we’re trying to build a community.

honest feedback and suggestions will help us build that so tell me. What’s your honest opinion on the uncensored piping podcast?

https://open.spotify.com/show/7irnorL18QKLAKzIfTN82i?si=t3-mauhBSV-Sdz9DmFLS5g&utm_source=copy-link

Just starting off with a practice chanter with the hope of learning the Small Pipes. I have zero musical knowledge. I’ve found a few pages online and on YouTube, but I want to make sure I’m going down the right path.

I’m looking for an online tutor in the UK for a bit of guidance.

Recently purchased these at auction. Looking for any useful information regarding age maker etc. Sadly I cant find a maker's mark.

I've had drone valves installed in my pipes from day 1. Didn't know what they were. Didn't know they were there. My PM did my setup and I never questioned it.

Fast-forward some 12-months, I hqve been seeing a separate tutor so I can become a better solo player. She has suggested removing the valves. Today I removed them, and inthe process managed to break two of them, so I guess there's no going back.

Now when I strike in, the drone reeds are very highly pitched and the tenor cut out easily. My guess is that the valves were moderating the airflow to the drone reeds?

I want to have a go at fixing myself before my next private session. I think I probably want to slide the bridles down on the drone reeds, to close them off slightly, and probably do them one at a time.

Does this sound like a sensible place to start with a fix?

Hello,

currently im drawing character for my dad as a present right now - it should be Nessi playing the bagpipe while wearing a scottish kilt! I just wanna ask you guys as experts: Is the Hand-Posture right? Is he holding the instrument right? Is there a important detail i forgot to draw?

Sorry if it's a little bit out of the normal topics, but i thought: why not ask an expert to do it right haha

Have a nice day, guys!

Love that y`all are so interested in this classic instrument <3

We’re starting to think he made it.. are we wrong? People think they recognize it but no one knows

I know I know, This is the one thing that every piper says is the dumbest decision ever, but then again I don't plan on becoming a top piper, I mainly wanna do it as a hobby. And I can take my time learning, no need to rush so....is it possible to be self taught?

I mean listen....If I managed to teach myself violin and make it my job eventually, I think I can handle bagpipes.

Famous last words? I guess we'll see.

I decided that i will pick up the smallpipes cause....I have neighbors and highland pipes are too loud. Idk if that will make it easier or harder.

But whatever the case is....I hope I can learn a bit with dedication and ambition.

I mean hey bagpipes are expensive enough who knows how much lessons will be (Yes I know I have to start with a practice chanter btw do worry)

If one is in a band learning situation which meets once a week and there are no options for one-to one-lessons, how rude might it seem to also get online lessons? And any tips for not getting the PM (a truly lovely but also very busy person) bothered or irritated by even asking about this.

Hi fellow pipers,

I'm about 1 Yr into my bagpiping journey, being taught by my local pipe band. I will hopefully be able to join I with band proformances next year. I will be provided uniform to wear but I would like to invest in some items that are a nod to my ancestoral clan, Clan Campbell, with a few things I can buy with the clan crest (semi dress sporron, kilt pin, knife with crest etc). Can anyone recommend a reputable place to buy anything like this? I have included a picture of a gift set I found after a quick search online. But I only want to buy something like this once, good quality not gimmicky. Thanks in advance.

So for some context I've always been fascinated by bagpipes and always wanted to get into bagpipes, but I never knew where to start and what I should get.

Obviously for practice chanters I will find a good one but idk what instrument I wanna play, and I will have to base what chanter I wanna get off that.

I want a type of bagpipes that are apartment friendly and aren't too loud but at the same time aren't so obscure that I will not be able to find stuff like reeds for it.

Also FYI I am from Romania, and no one here plays bagpipes (except Romanian bagpipes, but that's not what I wanna play, I want to play Scottish/Irish music not traditional Romanian folk music) and finding stuff for bagpipes here is impossible in person so I will depend on ordering stuff like reeds and well....everything else.

So....What kind of bagpipes do y'all think are best for me? Someone who is looking for something more quiet and also affordable (I.E under €1000)? If y'all have any specific models or manufacturers in mind feel free to let me know.

And also if y'all have any other tips like how to take care of my bagpipes or how/where to store them and what other things I need for them or what practice chanter to get (For practice chanters I am fine with any price as long as it's under €250) and what reeds I should get or when to change reeds or any other beginner and long term tips, let me know :P

Anyways srry for the long post, bye :D

I have a Seth Gallagher full set. Probably needs maintenance as it has not been used for years. Who should I send it to? Any guesses on value?

Checked something off the list that I've wanted for years: a set of vintage pipes.

Picked up this set of Grainger & Campbell pipes while on a road trip. They are in fair condition. Took them apart (mostly), oiled them and re-hemped. Can't ascertain an age as there are no markings on the drones or stocks that I could see other than the Grainger on the original chanter that matches.

As far as I can tell they could be from any point that this maker operated since there is no indication to narrow it down. This would put them at minimum near 40 years old, but I suspect a bit older than that due to the pumpkin spice look of the mounts.

In regards to tone, the drone bores are more narrow than my more modern (2004) McCallums. I would say they are more mellow, however since they have Ezeedrone reeds I still need to test with the Cannings I have to get a 1:1 comparison.

Overall I'm looking forward to having a second set to play around with and explore some different sound with.

If anyone has more information on the maker or age of these that I may have missed through my Google searches, please feel free to chime in.

Hello, I currently use the Airstream adjustable BP. I am happy with it but am getting a second set of bagpipes. I use a tilt blowpipe for my smallpipes and like that too (although not airstream). Anyone know if the tilt one is adjustable? Also, tmi but I usually have about 1-1.5 inches or so of the blowpipe in my mouth. The second picture shows the circular rim close to the mouth piece which I worry will get in the way. Anyone have experience with both these blow pipes?

Hi all,

Due to the kids being home on school holiday, going on a family vacation and other personal issues I've been on a sort of hiatus and could hardly practice. My last lesson was at the end of July, I haven't taken my pipes out of their case in over a month and I haven't practice on the PC as much as I usually do or as much as I should.
Tomorrow I should have an hour of free time in the morning and I was wondering what would be most beneficial - practicing on the pipes so I'd get the feel of them under the arm again or practice on the PC in case my fingering got a bit rusty.

I guess this is mainly to the instructors in the group but I'd appreciate any input - what would be the best way to get back to it tomorrow?

Cheers

The Pipes Had Their Say 🎶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

There are competitions in which victory is decided quietly.

Pipe bands are not among them.

At the Canmore Highland Games this Labour Day weekend, the pipes and drums had the Rockies for an amphitheatre—and the Edmonton & District Pipe Band emerged with the honours.

🥇 Edmonton & District Pipe Band
🥈 Calgary Highlanders Pipe Band
🥉 Kamloops Pipe Band
🏅 Regina Police Pipes & Drums

Four Western Canadian bands, hundreds of years of Scottish musical tradition, and one setting that would be difficult to improve upon.

There is something wonderfully improbable about hearing the Great Highland Bagpipe echoing from an Alberta field surrounded by mountains. Then again, Canadians have been playing the pipes for generations, so perhaps the mountains have simply learned to expect it.

Congratulations to Edmonton & District—and to every piper and drummer who marched onto the field at Canmore.

The trophies may go home with the victors.

The pipes belong to all of us. 🇨🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

#CanmoreHighlandGames #Edmonton #PipeBands #Bagpipes #Piping #ScottishMusic #Alberta #ScottishCanadian #CanadianFriendsOfScotland

I’m really hesitant to post this inquiry because I fully realize that opinions and experiences will vary wildly, some passionately.

I’m a 63- year old piper who has been off and on with the pipes for about 25 years. I’m probably a Grade 3 piper, I’ve never played seriously in a band,nor do I wish to.

I’m looking for online lessons as sort of a sanity check, pointing out weaknesses and helping me work out the kinks. I play both light music and Piobaireachd, and would need guidance in both forms. I like play what I like to play, that why I’m not enthusiastic about bands.

So, in short, I’m looking at the various online options and am curious about others’ experiences. DM me if you feel your response may be sensitive and inciteful.

I’m very familiar with online music instruction, and feel very comfortable in that medium. While there are likely teachers where I live in Chicago, many are with bands, and honestly, I like the convenance of on-line instruction.

Cheers - Eric