Pipehacker

Inspiration

Do you ever stop and think about what inspires you as a player and musician? I don’t know many active pipers and drummers who are not inspired in some way after watching high-level performances. The desire to expose ourselves more to that which inspires us would then mean more concerts, more attendance at premier events, and more involvement. But is this the case?

Many a bagpiper and drummer seem content with a routine of regular rehearsal (solo or band) with travel on the weekends to summer games. (And we encourage more of that!) But part of developing as a player is not just indulging in your routine. It is also participating in what the greater community has to offer. It means attending the concerts, recitals, workshops, and high-level solo competitions that may not be a “necessary” part of your active routine, but may very well be essential to your overall development as a performer, as well as essential to your personal connection with the music. Yes, everyone is busy, busy, busy. But is it too much of a strain on anyone’s schedule to attend at least two (local or regional) events during the course of the year that are not a normal part of your competitive activities? This being the week of Piping Live! in Glasgow leading to the ultimate pipe band experience at the Worlds, I’m sure there will be plenty of inspiration to go around—but that is only one, large series of events in one location of the world. Traveling to a local concert or games/contest (big or small) as a spectator to simply take in the performances and the craic brings subtle rewards, and the inspiration and excitement you feel can influence your music in a profound way.

Pipehacker Tip: Air-flow Triage

Bag problems can be a particularly pesky problem to pipers. If you’ve ever had a troublesome bag, you know. It seems synthetic bags are no better when it comes to the occasional leak or hole. Whether you’re new to bagpiping or have years of experience under your belt, diagnosing hard-to-find leakage in your instrument is a perennial ritual you’ve likely gotten frustrated about, or broken things over more times than you care to count.

I won’t go into detail about all of the techniques (silly and otherwise) pipers have used to find leaks. We’re done with that. Most of them are not fail-proof. Plus, all you end up with is a wasted afternoon or soaked bagpipes.

Here is what you do from now on: Run to the supermarket and grab yourself some kiddie foam soap in a pump container. The stuff is not liquid but puffy, shaving cream-like foam–sans water. Pump blobs of the foam over possible trouble spots and fill your bag. Escaping air from even the smallest, pinhole of a leak will generate big soap bubbles through the foam to let you know.

Once your done, just wipe away the foam. No saturated, slimy mess to deal with, no soaking your bag. All that’s left behind is a clean set of pipes and a whiff of your soapy scent of choice.