Blog entries from the date of the new site forward

The Average Piper - Note Errors!

I received a call one day from someone looking for a piper. He was a classical musician from LA and had already received a recording from another piper in town. We talked for a minute and then he asked the most peculiar question. “Are note…

The Average Piper - Breaking things down!

Last night at band practice we chunked out a couple of phases in two small 6/8 marches that needed work. In "A Hundred Pipers", 2nd part 7th measure, there is a tachum. This is shown in the picture above. The issue was that many pipers were…

The Average Piper - Blowing Tone III

Just to recap, we talked about the need to maintain steady pressure within the bag whether you’re blowing or taking a breath (I hate the term “squeezing” as the action is more subtle than “squeezing”). We also talked about the need…

The Average Piper - Blowing Tone Pt II

I can remember the exact moment when I heard it. I’m talking about that moment when I heard the harmonics of my chanter blend with those being produced by my drones. It was an entirely new world opened up. I had placed myself in a corner…

The Average Piper - Blowing Tone

My day didn’t at all turn out the way I thought it would. First of all, I’m working on a couple of stories that are going to rock the bagpipe world. I have to hold off for the time being as things are yet developing. However, at this morning’s…

The Average Piper - Protect Your Tone!

In the old days, I both loved and hated practice. I always made certain that my bagpipe was ready to go and after about ten minutes of playing it was tuned and completely settled. Others would arrive having not touched their pipes since the…

The Average Piper - The Bag #4

So, what’s going on inside my bag and what can I do about it? Great questions. As I said earlier, you’re pumping air that’s close to body temperature into the bag and about 100% RH. Under moderate conditions, with everything working as…

The Average Piper - The Bag #3

I’ve played just about every bag ever made, except Norman Kyle’s vulcanized rubber bag. I didn’t see the point. I played Cowhide and Sheepskin until synthetic bags were introduced. I’ve played all the synthetic bags and have now gone…

The Average Piper - Pipe Bags #2

All pipe bags require understanding and management in order to achieve and maintain the right sound. Each type of bag has its advantages, limitations, and maintenance requirements. It is critical that the piper understand his or her pipe bag…

The Average Piper... A Question

Let’s shift gears for a minute and talk about something else. From the very earliest words written we know that there is something about the Great Highland Bagpipe that has stirred body and soul. Average audiences are drawn to the sound of…