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 it should, the air inside your bag will probably be in the upper 70’s F and 65% RH. These “end-numbers” are a factor of you, your bag, your system, and external conditions.

I’ve often said that, if you listen, your bagpipe will tell you exactly what it needs. Don’t expect to learn this here or reading it elsewhere. This is something that you need to experience, pay attention to, and experiment with. If after 20 minutes or so your chanter reed is climbing in pitch, chances are that your system is removing too much moisture. On the flip side, if it’s sounding dull and unresponsive and you see indications of moisture on your reed, you probably need to make adjustments to reduce the amount of moisture getting to your chanter reed.

Respected friend Dan Bell recently posted that everyone in his band is playing the same bag. This gives him a tremendous advantage in setting the tone and in addressing any issues. It removes one huge wildcard.

A knowledgeable, experienced piper will be able to make adjustments and get optimal performance out of just about any bag. The average piper will struggle to understand, adjust, and maintain a solid instrument. More conversation is recommended.

I said earlier that I’d share my choice of bags. By no means am I suggesting that this is the “right” set-up for everybody. It works for me. I play a goatskin bag with stocks tied directly to the bag and with zipper access. I played this set-up in the heat and low humidity of the southwest. I’m playing it in Wisconsin with cooler temperatures and high humidity. I visit it once or twice each week and my bagpipe is always trouble-free and rock solid. As it should be.

Tomorrow I have a post on a slightly different topic that will tie into what we’re discussing here.