The Art of Not Losing It

Ever notice how the way you start your day – or your piping session – sets the tone for everything that follows?

Whether it’s how you warm up your pipes or how you start your car in the morning, those first few moments matter more than we realize.

A good start gives you momentum; a bad one can throw everything out of tune.

The Power of a Good Start

In piping, this might mean taking an extra minute to steady your breathing before striking in, or making sure your reeds are warmed up before you start blasting through your set.

Rushing through your warm-up is like speeding out of the driveway with the handbrake still on – it’ll cost you later. A calm, deliberate start – both in practice and in life – creates smoother results.

Choosing Your “Car”: What Kind of Piper Are You?

When it comes to cars, there are three basic approaches: lease something new every few years, buy brand new and hope it lasts, or go old school with something second-hand and know that you'll have to keep fixing it.

Bagpipers have their own versions of this.

Some players are “leasers” – they upgrade gear constantly, always chasing the next chanter or reed design. Others buy top-shelf pipes and plan to play them for life. Then there are the traditionalists who stick with a vintage set, knowing that maintaining them will be a labour of love.

Each approach has pros and cons. Constantly upgrading can be exciting but expensive. New gear feels clean and reliable but can lose its charm. And old sets can test your patience, but they can also teach you more than any shiny new model ever could.

When Everything Breaks (and It Will)

Picture this: you’ve just treated yourself to a beautiful old set of pipes. You check for leaks, tie in a new bag, test the reeds – and everything seems perfect. Until it isn’t. Suddenly the bass drone cuts out mid-tune, the chanter reed squeals, and your stocks start leaking like a cracked radiator.

It’s the piping version of buying a used pickup that seems fine on the test drive – until the steering fluid pours out in your driveway. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes even hilarious (once you’ve cooled off). But these moments are how you learn. You become the kind of player who can spot a bag leak by ear or fix a reed seat with a pocketknife and a prayer.

Embrace the Process

Old cars and bagpipes share the same secret: they’ll always need something. There’s always a joint to season, a reed to reset, or a note that just won’t behave.

But that’s part of the fun.

Instead of seeing these moments as setbacks, treat them as opportunities to learn your instrument inside out. The best pipers aren’t just good players – they’re good problem-solvers. They know their pipes as well as a mechanic knows an engine.

When things go wrong, stay calm. Think like a mechanic: check the basics first. Is the bag airtight? Is the reed seated correctly? Is that “mystery tuning issue” actually just moisture buildup? Often the simplest fix is the right one.

Knowing When to Move On

Then there’s the sunk-cost fallacy trap. You’ve spent hours (and likely hundreds of dollars) fixing your pipes, so you feel like you have to keep going. But sometimes, the wisest move is to stop. If you’re spending more time repairing than playing, it might be time to upgrade – or simplify.

That doesn’t make you a quitter. It means you’re choosing more music and less maintenance. Sometimes the Toyota Camry of bagpipes – the dependable, no-drama setup – is exactly what you need to focus on playing rather than tinkering.

Takeaways for the Road (and the Practice Room)

• Start intentionally. A good warm-up or routine sets the tone for success.

• Choose your setup wisely. Know your tolerance for maintenance versus convenience.

• Expect breakdowns. They’re part of the journey, not proof you’re failing.

• Avoid the sunk-cost trap. Don’t cling to a setup that drains your joy.

• Troubleshoot from the ground up. Always check the basics before diving deep.

Whether you’re wrestling with a stubborn reed or a misfiring engine, the lesson’s the same: stay curious, stay patient, and don’t forget to laugh when things fall apart.

Because in the end, both pipes and cars are just tools for getting somewhere – and the real joy is in the ride.