Preface

 

This book is directed primarily to newer pipers esp anyone who cannot afford an exspensive all in one system such as a ross canister bag but has a very basic set of pipes with an inexpensive mass produced bag – and all the subsequent issues that lead to frustration. From personal experience I have been able to take dozens of low end pipes and through proper care and improvement render them more functional and playing consistently with a reasonable quality sound so that the beginner can learn and take enjoyment from their pipes until they are ready for a high end set.

 

In general the care and maintenance of highland pipes especially for beginners, revolves around issues with controlling the effects of 2 basic things: moisture, and air pressure maintenance.

Moisture comes in 2 forms – piper related and weather related – but they both do mutilple things if not kept in check (and some even when kept in check) – it can rot reeds with mold and mildew, break down glues and stock ties etc.

 

Air pressure problems can be either the direct result of moisture problems, inherent flaws in design, or new or old pipes that have been stored for some time.

My approach here is to discuss each part of the bagpipes and how to improve and maintain them. My own experience was that my pipes were delivered with dried stock ties that quickly opened and a blowstick valve that let more air back into my mouth then the bag. So I quickly developed this set of steps to check every component and then added maintenance after everything was in working order. With the end goal being to maximize the amount of air pressure your bag will hold and maintain and give you longer playing time.

Components to test, correct and maintain

 

• The Bag

• Blowstick

• Stocks

• Drones

• Chanter

• Drone Reeds

• Chanter Reed

 

 The Bag

Testing

The bag is the cornerstone of playing. If you can’t fill the bag because it leaks or another component is allowing air out then you just won’t be able to play (or at least not very long).

 

Before we can assume that any other component is causing air loss we need to eliminate the bag as the culprit. Aside from an actual hole the bag can have a seam leak where it was stitched. Leather bags properly seasoned are not very likely to have this. However it is fairly common in synthetic bags. To test whether your bag can hold air conduct a simple test. Cork all 4 stocks and using the blowstick inflate the bag. I like to conduct this test by filling the bag with air and then placing my thumb over the blowstick. Sometimes I also place balloons over each corked stock to see if air is getting around the corks (a chipped stock mouth), and I’ll place a balloon over the blowstick mouth. If any of these balloons inflate it means air is escaping and you will have to check them out later. Cheap but highly effective.

 

Now, with the bag full of air I generally put it down (covering the blowstick with my thumb) in of a clock with a sweep hand. After 1 minute I try to inflate

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.04.2014
ISBN: 978-3-7309-9828-1

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