PIPE BAGS

Whether you are playing a traditional skin bag or a synthetic bag (or indeed a hybrid bag) you must make sure that it is airtight. If you are loosing air then you are having to work harder to a point where it is uncomfortable if not impossible to play.

To check the bag is airtight remove the drones and chanter and plug with large stoppers. Blow up the bag with through the blowpipe until it is as full as it can get.   Give the bag a reasonable squeeze for 30 seconds or so and if it takes more than a breath to reinflate the bag then it is losing too much air.  Your lips are very sensitive so scan them over the seams of the bag and around the stocks.  You will immediately feel if there is an air leak.

If the leaks are through the seam or collar on a synthetic bag, you will probably have to replace it. Leaks around the stocks on a traditional hide bag or Bannatyne Hybrid Zipper bag can be corrected by re-tying in the stock. On a synthetic bag, if the leak is between the collar and the stock you could wrap with insulating tape or teflon tape to seal.

If the leak is through the seams on a traditional hide bag you will need to season it as per the instructions on any of the range of Bagpipe Seasoning supplied by Bagpipe Specialists.

If the leak it through the stock, it is because of a crack in the wood.  These cracks are most common underneath the stock ferrules, but can also occur lower down on the stock. If this is the case, you will need to have the stock repaired by a competent bagpipe maker/repairer.