r/bagpipes

Hi all,

This is the latest tune I got from my tutor. We only started it so we only worked on the first 2 parts but I'm trying to play the rest on my own till we have another lesson. I feel really dumb but that I'm lost in its order. I can't understand the directions of jumping between the lines.

Can anyone help me with that?

Cheers

Are there newer ones that grab you? Or do you listen to the “classics”, like “Live in Ireland”?

How much adjustment is there in a kilt for weight loss (hopefully not gain). I'm 22 pounds heavier than my usual and 42 pounds heavier than my ideal goal. Currently 6' 220 pounds, ideal is 178. This translates into 4-5 inches on my belly button measurement at a reasonable 20 pound loss. I need to order my band kilt to arrive by September/October but I know I need to lose this weight. But it is so hard, I'm really hoping not to gain more and maybe lose 20.

But I'd hate to order a $750 kilt and then have it not fit, either once I lose the weight or if I go up a few pounds before getting motivated.

How much adjustment in inches do kilts usually give? I'll likely be purchasing from USA Kilts, I suppose I could always ask them but you all have been very helpful so far!

I’ve always played Flower of Scotland as it’s written in the Scots Guard book, but lately with the World Cup and I’m hearing it a lot more it seems like they play the last few bars as an intro and then play the tune.

How do you play it, especially in an informal setting?

Hi all,

This is a massive long shot but is anyone based around Cheshire/ Greater Manchester UK to play a wedding 03/09/2026?

Hi. I don’t know much about bagpipes. I know how they work and that’s it. I was wondering, what separates a “good” bagpipes player from an “ok” bagpipes player? Like, it seems you just need to master fingering and timing, which doesn’t seem like a very difficult task. Other than that, you’re just blowing into the bag and squeezing it, right? A flute or trumpet player, for example, can spend years dialing in their embouchure to achieve certain tones. Is this the case with bagpipes, or is it more simple? I don’t mean to take away from the skill or anything, I’m just wondering if the skill gap is smaller than with other instruments. Cheers :)

Maybe this version is more acceptable than the Frey video.

I’m a vertically challenged person (e.g. short), and I sometimes find myself in the position of needing to tune the band’s drones. I use an app on my phone to tune, and the phone’s microphone works well at picking up the individual drones without being overpowered by the loudness of the chanter. Of course, the microphone has to be positioned close to the opening at the top of the drones, which is where the height problems come into play. Although I can reach the top of the tenor drones all right, I struggle to comfortably reach the top of the bass drones.

To remedy this, I started trying out a couple of clip-on microphones. I’ve tried the InTune mic, but I find that is annoying to clip on and off each drone as it takes too much time to position it correctly. I then bought the Korg clip-on contact microphone and the correct adapter to use it with my phone, and it is much more enjoyable to clip on and off. I would prefer using the Korg microphone. However, it seems to be overpowered by the loudness of the chanter. With just the drones going, it is able to get an accurate read, but as soon as the chanter is started, it only picks up the chanter tuning. I thought that a contact microphone that is clipped on to a specific drone would find that to be loudest noise, but that is apparently not the case.

Does anyone else have this problem with the Korg microphone and maybe have a solution or tips? Or is there another microphone that works better? Is this a problem with the Korg tuner as well?

Hi, i’m on my transition from chanter to pipes currently i can continuously blow the bag no problem (without drones) but where im getting stuck is when it comes to actually playing a tune, does anyone have any tips?

I've kept most of my chanter reeds over the years. I don't currently play in a band, but I keep the pipes played and practice several times a week. I've collected quite a few reeds over the years, and I'm trying to figure the best way to manage them.

How many do you keep broken in and "going" at the same time? Do you just use one until it dies, or have two or three on the go? Appreciate your feedback.

My bagpipes currently have the outer tenor and bass drones set up with drone reeds. I've been trying to tune them, but I've found it really hard without corks. How could I cork my drones if I don't have one? Is there an alternative?

We all got different accessories for our pipes & I want to know what's something you got but only ever used once for me it's the blowpipe angler from BagpipeLessons.