Is My Chanter Reed the Right Strength for me? The reed-strength litmus test
A litmus test is a chemistry technique that measures something’s acidity, but the term is more commonly used to describe a question that uses a…
Category: Technique & Theory
Proper Hemping of Drone Reed Seats
Proper hemping of a drone reed seat is just about patience and getting the hemp to conform to the exact shape of the reed seat.…
Recording Devices: Our Up-to-Date Recommendations
A recorder is a vital tool for every piper to have and to use. Now, if you’re like most people, you probably hate the idea…
The Sound of Silence
https://youtu.be/Bk7RVw3I8eg This is such a great performance for so many reasons. Whether you like (very) heavy metal or not, you can't deny David Draiman is…
Freedom Phase 1 Success Stories!
Freedom Phase 1 can be a jarring experience for many learners. "I signed up to learn bagpipes, and these crazy Dojo people are making me…
Help! My Ganaway Bag Isn't Airtight!
Have you found that your Gannaway bag does not stay completely airtight? Should there be some flexibility with hide bags? What are the major fail points for pipe bags?
Bagpipers: How to Play FAST
Some pipers think that it is really hard to play fast, but they’re wrong. It’s very easy to play fast, even at a tempo that comes close to matching that of Stuart Liddell. Thus, a fast tempo is really no problem at all. The problem arises when we expect to play fast and at the same time make anything that sounds close to good music.
Understanding Harmonics—Part 1
This article was written by Dr. John Holcombe
How many of us pipers have a firm grasp of the physics of sound that causes the unique and rich sound of our bagpipes? We are told that we should maintain a pressure in the pipe bag that is at the chanter reed’s “sweet spot”, that pressure that causes the reed to maximally vibrate and bring out the most “harmonics” and richness of sound of the reed. But what, really, are harmonics?
Uncovering the Dangerous Psychological Pitfall in Steady Blowing
Blowing steadily and consistently at the chanter reed’s sweet spot is a learned task. Involves mastering a “trifecta” of skills: Identifying the exact pressure we…
The Hidden Fact about Steady Blowing That is Holding You Back
How often have we pipers been told to “blow steady” or that our chanter notes or drones are “wavering” in and out of tune while…