Your Phone Might Be the Best Bagpiping Tool You’re Not Using

Here's the thing about piping that we all know – it's a lot to do all at once!

You’re coordinating breath, fingerwork, posture, pressure, memory, and musicality, usually at the same time.

And often, you think you’re doing it well. Until you listen back.

That’s where the real magic happens.

Recording yourself isn’t just for pros making albums or competitors chasing gold. It’s for every piper who wants to get better.

Whether you’re brand new or have been playing for decades, hitting that record button can change your game.

You Can’t Hear It All While You’re Playing

When you’re in the moment, you’re focused on survival. Getting through the tune. Hitting the right notes. Keeping your pipes going. You’re inside the experience.

But when you record and listen back later, you’re on the outside looking in. That shift in perspective is powerful.

You might notice a tempo drift in your reel that you didn’t feel while playing. Or realize that the break between parts in your march lacks the phrasing you thought you gave it. You may even hear little gracenote hiccups or early cutoffs that flew under the radar in real time.

It’s Not About Perfection – It’s About Pattern-Spotting

The goal isn’t to make a perfect recording. It’s to catch habits and patterns that are good and bad.

Maybe you’re consistently early on your tachums. Maybe your blowing dips during that tricky birl section. Maybe your tone is actually way better than you thought!

And when you start to identify those patterns, you can work on them intentionally, instead of guessing what needs fixing.

Make Recording a Habit (Not a Big Production)

This doesn’t have to be high-tech. Your phone mic is plenty good. No need for fancy cameras or editing software. Just prop your phone up, hit record, and play through a tune. Or even a single phrase you’re struggling with.

Pro tip: Unless you have an external microphone with a gain function, try to place your phone as far away as you'd sit without hearing protection to enjoy a piping performance. That will give you a nice, undistorted recording. Check out our up to date recording suggestions for more tips on how to record yourself well!

A few ways to work it in:

• Start your practice with a recording to capture where you’re at before warming up.

• End your session with a "progress check."

• Record the same tune weekly to track development over time.

• Use voice memos to quickly jot ideas or reminders to review later.

You’ll Build Confidence, Not Just Skills

It might feel awkward at first. Most of us cringe the first time we hear ourselves recorded (like hearing your voicemail greeting and wondering who that monotone stranger is). But stick with it. Over time, you’ll grow more comfortable. You’ll notice improvements. You’ll start to play with more awareness and musicality because you’re listening more deeply.

And when competition day comes? Or you’re playing at a wedding, a ceilidh, or just for friends? You’ll know what you actually sound like... not just what you hope you sound like.

That confidence is worth its weight in gold.

So go on. Record yourself. Then rewind. Then grow.

What would happen if you listened like your future piping self was depending on it?