Be A Stronger Bagpiper II: STAYING IN TUNE by Vince Janoski

Being an active bagpiper takes considerable dedication. The hours of practice and the rigor of travel and competition/performance can take their toll on you physically. A bagpiper may develop a laundry list of physical conditions that are directly related to the hours of practice time put in. Numbness in the hands or arm, aches in [...]

Slipping Drones? Tighten Up Your Joints in 5 Seconds by Andrew Douglas

Good bagpipe maintenance is obviously the name of the game. But, sometimes, even with good maintenance habits we can come across issues that are unavoidable. For me, one of these issues is shrinking hemp on my joints. If I go even 24 hours without playing, my hemp shrinks, causing my joints to become loose. Dry winter air [...]

Be a Stronger Bagpiper by Vince Janoski

A great article “Everything You Know About Fitness Is a Lie” by Daniel Duane in Men’s Journal suggests that perhaps many things we have been conditioned to believe about working out are not entirely accurate. The article delves into aspects of the “fitness industry” and describes all the machines, gyms, trainers, and methods that really [...]

Pipehacker Tool Tip: Trade Up Your Drone Swab by Vince Janoski

Pipers have devised all sorts of methods to swab out moisture from, as well as swab bore oil to, the insides of their bagpipe drones. Homemade “brushes” and swabs made from old pantyhose, rags, and whatnot attached to wire coat hangers or string can all be suitable—for a time. I can’t count how many DIY [...]

Pipehacker Project: The Black Strap Water Trap by Vince Janoski

Moisture to the bagpiper is like DDT to the mosquito. A build up of too much moisture in your instrument means certain death of your reeds and nothing but trouble when trying to achieve a stable sound. The preponderance of products for pipers to address moisture problems alone is a testament to the importance of [...]

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Drone Reeds by Andrew Douglas

Whether we’re playing the new-fangled techno-reed, or we’re old-school and we play cane, here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your drone reeds:

Bagpipe Tip: The Basics for Breaking in your Chanter Reed by Andrew Douglas

Reeds take a while to “break in,” as many of us already know, and have already experienced. I don’t know for sure, but I assume this is because all the fibers in the cane of the reed need a chance to stretch out and become flexible in order for it to become a bit easier, and for it to reach its full vibrancy.

3 Modern Conveniences that are Killing the Bagpiper by Vince Janoski

Pipehacker loves gadgets. Whatever the latest modern invention or convenience there is for the piper, bring it. Although, lately the idea of “convenience” is losing its luster. Isn’t “convenience” supposed to mean “easier” or “simpler?”