Birls: Different Types and Which Ones to Play birl birls embellishments May 29, 2024

Birls – rapid pinky passes over low G – are embellishments that you’ll have to learn to play in a band or as a soloist.

Although...

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The “Right” And “Wrong” Way to Hold Your Bagpipe Chanter chanter fingering fingerwork posture May 29, 2024

When you were first taught to play, I’m guessing one of the first things you learned was the “right” way to hold a chanter.

Yet,...

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To Lick or Not to Lick: Horsing Around with Bagpipe Reeds lick licking reeds May 29, 2024

Chances are, if you’ve been playing bagpipes for a while, you’ve definitely licked a reed or two in your life.

It can be tempting to...

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Record Yourself Regularly record recording May 29, 2024

If you want to be a better bagpiper, recording your playing on a regular basis is a ‘must’.

It radically benefits many of your musical...

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Got Moisture Problems? You Might Be Overlooking These 3 Things condensation humidity hygrometer maintenance mcs moisture moisture control systems wet blower May 22, 2024

As any piper knows, we need a certain amount of moisture in our bagpipes. But too much can be a major problem. 

A lot of the time, beginners...

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Finding the Right Chanter Reed For You: The Scotland the Brave Test maintenance reed strength reeds scotland the brave test stb test May 22, 2024

Your bagpipes should never be too hard to play. 

You should feel comfortable at all times when you’re playing. Don’t feel like you...

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Calibrating Your Reeds calibration May 22, 2024

Calibration is the art of setting up your reeds to take the perfect, most efficient amount of air so that they work together to produce a stable...

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How Do You Keep Your Bag Airtight? airtight bag maintenance May 22, 2024

When your pipes are airtight, you're well on your way to a bagpipe that's easy to play.

But have you ever experienced this literal sinking...

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Finding and Getting Paid for Gigs bookings gigs performance May 22, 2024

Once you’ve been playing for a while, it can be a logical next step to turn your piping hobby into a side hustle – or perhaps even a...

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Discovering the PDQB Certification System: Elevate Your Bagpipe Skills May 19, 2024

Bagpiping is a tradition steeped in history and culture, and for those dedicated to mastering the art, the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board...

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Try Playing It By Ear playing by ear May 19, 2024

Have you ever caught yourself humming along to John Denver's "Country Roads" or tapping to the theme of "Star Wars" and wondered how they would...

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How To Find Your Ideal Chanter Reed Strength hard reed reed strength reeds May 12, 2024

Chanter reeds are often sent from the manufacturer labelled as "easy", "hard", or anything in between – but how do you know which one is...

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