BAGPIPE LESSON
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  • Beginner
    • Lesson 1: Introduction and Bagpipe History
    • Lesson 2: The Practice Chanter
    • Lesson 3: Practice Chanter Technique, Posture, and Blowing
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Music Theory 1
    • Lesson 5: Beginner Rhythm Exercises
    • Lesson 6: Bagpipe Low Hand Notes
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe High Hand Notes
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Scale
    • Lesson 9: Bagpipe Crossing Noises
    • Lesson 10: Easy Bagpipe Songs
  • Novice
    • Lesson 1: Time Signatures and Note Values in Bagpipe Music
    • Lesson 2: Dots, Cuts & Ties
    • Lesson 3: How to Practice Bagpipes
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Embellishments
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Grace Notes >
      • Bagpipe High G Grace Note
      • Bagpipe D Grace Note
      • Bagpipe E Grace Note
      • Grace Note Exercises
      • Songs With Grace Notes
    • Lesson 6: Bagpipe Strikes >
      • Bagpipe B Strike
      • Bagpipe C Strike
      • Bagpipe D Strike
      • Bagpipe Light D Strike
      • Bagpipe E Strike
      • Bagpipe F Strike
      • Bagpipe High G Strike
      • Bagpipe High A Strike
      • Bagpipe Strike Exercises
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Doublings >
      • Bagpipe Low G Doubling
      • Bagpipe Low A Doubling
      • Bagpipe B Doubling
      • Bagpipe C Doubling
      • Bagpipe D Doubling
      • Bagpipe E Doubling
      • Bagpipe F Doubling
      • Bagpipe High G Doubling
      • Bagpipe High A Doubling
      • 7 Doubling Exercise
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Grip
    • Lesson 9: How to Learn a Bagpipe Tune >
      • First and Second Time Bars
      • Introductory Notes
      • Memorizing Bagpipe Tune
    • Lesson 10: The Practice Goose
  • Intermediate
    • Lesson 1: Buying a Set of Bagpipes
    • Lesson 2: Bagpipe D Throw
    • Lesson 3: Bagpipe Taorluath
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Birls >
      • Regular Birl
      • Low A Birl
      • High G Birl
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Triplet
    • Lesson 6: Intermediate Rhythm Exercises
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Low G Grace Note
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Light D Throw
    • Lesson 9: Bagpipe High A Grace Note
    • Lesson 10: Pipe Band Terminology
  • Advanced
    • Lesson 1: How to Practice Bagpipes Efficiently
    • Lesson 2: Bagpipe Half Doublings >
      • Bagpipe Low G Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe Low A Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe B Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe C Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe D Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe E Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe F Half Doubling
      • 7 Half Doubling Exercise
    • Lesson 3: Bagpipe High G Strikes >
      • Bagpipe High G B Strike
      • Bagpipe High G C Strike
      • Bagpipe High G D Strike
      • Bagpipe High G Open D Strike
      • High G Strike Exercise
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Tachum
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Doubling Strikes >
      • Bagpipe B Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe C Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe D Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe Open D Doubling Strike
    • Lesson 6: G-D-E Grace Note Movement
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Strathspey Movement
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Music Categories and Tempo Guide
  • Maintenance/Tuning
    • Bagpipe Anatomy
    • Practice Chanter Maintenance and Tuning
    • Hemping Your Bagpipe
    • Bagpipe Pipe Bag
    • Bagpipe Blow Stick
    • Bagpipe Drones >
      • Drone Reeds
      • Drone Tuning
      • Drone Cords
      • Drone Problems, Solutions and Terminology
    • Bagpipe Chanter >
      • Bagpipe Chanter Reed
      • Bagpipe Chanter Reed Selection
      • Preparing your Chanter Reed
      • Making Reed Easier to Blow
      • Fix a Double Toning F
      • Taping Bagpipe Chanter
      • Cutting a Hole to Sharpen a Note
      • Pipe Chanter Pitch
      • Protecting Your Bagpipe Reed
      • Pitching Your Bagpipe Chanter
    • Bagpipe Case
    • Bagpipe Pitch and Tuning
    • Bagpipe Moisture Control
    • Bagpipe Stretching
  • Tunes
    • 2/4 Marches >
      • Mairi's Wedding
      • Brown Haired Maiden
      • Teribus
      • The Barren Rocks of Aden
      • High Road to Gairloch
      • Highland Laddie
      • The Earl of Mansfield
      • The 79th Farwell to Gibraltar
      • 42nd Highland Division
      • Sweet Maid of Glendaruel
      • 72nd's Farewell to Aberdeen
      • Liberton Boys Polka
    • 3/4 Marches >
      • Balmoral
      • Castle Dangerous
      • Green Hills of Tyrol
      • When the Battles Over
      • Colins Cattle
      • Bloody Fields of Flanders
      • Lochanside
      • Dream Valley of Glendaruel
    • 4/4 Marches >
      • Robin Adair
      • Scots Wha Hae
      • Scotland the Brave
      • Rowan Tree
      • Wings
      • Blue Bells of Scotland
      • Minstrel Boy
      • Were No Awa Tae Bide Awa
      • Lord Lovat's Lament
    • 6/8 Marches >
      • A Hundred Pipers
      • Bonnie Dundee
      • Steam Boat
      • Glendaruel Highlanders
      • Mucking of Georgie's Byre
      • Atholl Highlanders
    • Airs >
      • Amazing Grace
      • Mist Covered Mountains
      • Skye Boat Song
      • Going Home
      • Suo Gan
      • MacPhersons Lament
      • The Mingulay Boat Song
      • Road to the Isles
      • Loch Rannoch
    • Jigs >
      • Hag at the Churn
      • Rocking the Baby
      • Kesh Jig
      • Tripping up the Stairs
      • Old Hag at the Kiln
      • Paddy's Leather Breeches
      • Galician Jig
      • Paddy be Easy
      • Old Wife of Mill Dust
      • Floating the Flambeau
    • Reels >
      • Piper of Drummond
      • Sleepy Maggie
      • High Road to Linton
      • Gravel Walk
      • Jenny Dang the Weaver
      • The Owl
      • Itchy Fingers
      • Willie Davie
      • Crooked Bridge
      • The Wise Maid
      • Olive Branch
    • Strathspeys >
      • Loudons Bonnie Woods and Braes
      • Orange and Blue
      • A.A Cameron
      • Captain Horn
      • The Campbeltown Kiltie Band
    • Hornpipes >
      • Jolly Beggerman
      • Paddy MacGinty's Goat
      • Moving Cloud
      • The Boys of Blue Hill
    • Songs >
      • Auld Lang Syne
      • London Bridges Falling Down
      • Happy Birthday
      • Yankee Doodle
      • Flower of Scotland
      • America the Beautiful
      • Bridal March
      • O' Danny Boy
  • Contact
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Bagpipe Pipe Bag


Selecting Your Bag

Selecting your pipe bag is a very important decision and an important part of your bagpipes. A good pipe bag will make your bagpipes enjoyable to play and easy to keep your reeds in tune for long periods of time. There are many bags on the market today and their performance, suitability and comfort will depend on your individual situation. It also depends on what pipe band you are playing in. Many bands require all their pipers to play similar bags. 

Below are the 4 types of pipe bags available:

Cow Hide

 
Advantages:
  • Good tone.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Easy to make a good bagpipe cutoff. 
Disadvantages:
  • Needs to be tied in by someone with experience.
  • Reduced playing time due to moisture.
  • Requires Seasoning every 2-3 months.
Overall:

This is the pipe bag I started with. It's OK to buy if you are a complete beginner. However, when you become a better player you will want to upgrade your bag. I suggest completely bypassing this bag and buying something a little better.
Picture
 
If you must buy a Cow hide bag this is the best one.


Sheep Skin

 
Advantages:
  • Best tone, nothing else compares.
  • They stay dryer than Cow Hide.
  • Easy to make a good cutoff.
  • They mold to your body, making them a very comfortable bag to play.
Disadvantages:
  • Very Expensive
  • Only last at max 2yrs.
  • Need to be seasoned once a month.
Overall:
Sheep Skin bags have the best tone of all the pipe bags. It's what I use and what most grade one pipe bands use. However, they are a big pain in the butt and expensive.
​I would not recommend these bags to anyone that isn't playing at the highest level.
Picture
This is the Sheep Skin I recommend.
* Unless you are a child or a very large man I recommend getting the standard size*

Synthetic

Advantages:
  • Maintenance free set up.
  • No seasoning required.
  • Regular playing not essential.
Disadvantages:
  • Chanter not as stable.
  • Increased moisture problems.
  • Can be difficult to cut pipes off.
  • Very light and not comfortable to play.
  • Tuning changes rapidly.
Overall:

Synthetic bags are easy to set up, maintenance free and you don't have to play them as often as a hide bag. However, the sound, tuning and comfortability is nothing compared to other bags. Synthetic bags are for the lazy piper who doesn't care how they sound.  
Picture
This is the Synthetic Bag I recommend.


Composite/Hybrid

Advantages:
  • Maintenance free set up.
  • No seasoning required.
  • Regular playing not essential.
  • More comfortable than synthetic bag.
Disadvantages:
  • Chanter not as stable.
  • Increased moisture problems.
Overall:

These are a combination of the leather bag and the synthetic bag. It gives you the ease of the synthetic bag and the comfort and sound of the leather bag. This is the bag type I would recommend to 90% of people.
Picture
This is the composite/hybrid bag I recommend.



Selecting the Appropriate Bag Size
​

You will more than likely at some point have to select a bag size for your bagpipes. Here are some guidelines to follow to ensure you get a bag that will be comfortable and easy to play.

The best thing you can do is try another persons bag in your pipe band and if it's comfortable to play get that size.

If that isn't an option here are some guidelines below to help based on your height.
Picture
There is a myth in some piping circles that if you have a bigger bag it will be easier to blow. This is FALSE, 95% of pipers play either a small, an extended small (which is a size between small and medium) or a medium. Unless you are over 6 feet tall and 250 pounds you won't need a large or extra large bag. 

Picture
Selecting a Bag Cover


Bag covers are made from either velvet or corduroy typically and come in many shapes, designs and sizes. I would suggest you get a pipe bag with the following factors:
  • Get a bag that is a solid colour and that matches either your kilt or matches the colour of the future pipe band you would like to play for. If you don't have a band you want to play for or a kilt get black it goes with everything. 
  • Get a pipe bag with a Velcro back. It makes the bag look a lot nicer and tidier.
  • Get a bag with a slip resistant material on the inside. This will help keep the bag under your arm and keep it from slipping. A corduroy bag will help as well.



Bag Airtightness

The pipe bag is the most likely area of the instrument to leak air and any air you lose from a leaky bag will make the bagpipes that much harder to play and less enjoyable. Try the 30 second rule in the video below to see if you have a leak. 


How to Season Your Bag

You can skip this step if you have a synthetic or Composite/Hybrid bag.

Leather bags need moisture and to be played regularly to work properly. Frequent playing of the pipes keeps the bag supple, not the seasoning. However, seasoning still needs to be done to keep your bag airtight. It is important to season regularly, but it is equally important not to over-season. 

How often to Season?

Season a hide bag every 4-6 months and a sheep skin every 1-2 months.

Seasoning new bag?

It is necessary to do a long and thorough seasoning on a new bag. Massage about half the can into your pipes for about 30 minutes. 

After the first time, maintain the bag with seasonings targeted at the main seam. Only pour in about 10% of the can after the initial seasoning. For cow hide bags, the purpose of seasoning is to keep the stitching airtight. Seasoning will not improve moisture control in these bags, and too much of it may make a mess of the inside of your bag. Sheepskin bags require more attentive seasoning, not only to keep the stitching tight but to treat the skin also. The pores are not as close together as hide, so seasoning is required to keep the skin air tight and to improve moisture control.
 
Bag Lifespan: For hygiene reasons it is recommend that you keep a sheepskin bag for a maximum of three years and a hide bag for no longer than five years.

This is a little complicated the first time you do it, so if you have any question please contact me.

You can purchase your seasoning here. Remember you get 5% off at Lothian bagpipe Supply.
  • Login
  • Beginner
    • Lesson 1: Introduction and Bagpipe History
    • Lesson 2: The Practice Chanter
    • Lesson 3: Practice Chanter Technique, Posture, and Blowing
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Music Theory 1
    • Lesson 5: Beginner Rhythm Exercises
    • Lesson 6: Bagpipe Low Hand Notes
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe High Hand Notes
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Scale
    • Lesson 9: Bagpipe Crossing Noises
    • Lesson 10: Easy Bagpipe Songs
  • Novice
    • Lesson 1: Time Signatures and Note Values in Bagpipe Music
    • Lesson 2: Dots, Cuts & Ties
    • Lesson 3: How to Practice Bagpipes
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Embellishments
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Grace Notes >
      • Bagpipe High G Grace Note
      • Bagpipe D Grace Note
      • Bagpipe E Grace Note
      • Grace Note Exercises
      • Songs With Grace Notes
    • Lesson 6: Bagpipe Strikes >
      • Bagpipe B Strike
      • Bagpipe C Strike
      • Bagpipe D Strike
      • Bagpipe Light D Strike
      • Bagpipe E Strike
      • Bagpipe F Strike
      • Bagpipe High G Strike
      • Bagpipe High A Strike
      • Bagpipe Strike Exercises
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Doublings >
      • Bagpipe Low G Doubling
      • Bagpipe Low A Doubling
      • Bagpipe B Doubling
      • Bagpipe C Doubling
      • Bagpipe D Doubling
      • Bagpipe E Doubling
      • Bagpipe F Doubling
      • Bagpipe High G Doubling
      • Bagpipe High A Doubling
      • 7 Doubling Exercise
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Grip
    • Lesson 9: How to Learn a Bagpipe Tune >
      • First and Second Time Bars
      • Introductory Notes
      • Memorizing Bagpipe Tune
    • Lesson 10: The Practice Goose
  • Intermediate
    • Lesson 1: Buying a Set of Bagpipes
    • Lesson 2: Bagpipe D Throw
    • Lesson 3: Bagpipe Taorluath
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Birls >
      • Regular Birl
      • Low A Birl
      • High G Birl
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Triplet
    • Lesson 6: Intermediate Rhythm Exercises
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Low G Grace Note
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Light D Throw
    • Lesson 9: Bagpipe High A Grace Note
    • Lesson 10: Pipe Band Terminology
  • Advanced
    • Lesson 1: How to Practice Bagpipes Efficiently
    • Lesson 2: Bagpipe Half Doublings >
      • Bagpipe Low G Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe Low A Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe B Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe C Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe D Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe E Half Doubling
      • Bagpipe F Half Doubling
      • 7 Half Doubling Exercise
    • Lesson 3: Bagpipe High G Strikes >
      • Bagpipe High G B Strike
      • Bagpipe High G C Strike
      • Bagpipe High G D Strike
      • Bagpipe High G Open D Strike
      • High G Strike Exercise
    • Lesson 4: Bagpipe Tachum
    • Lesson 5: Bagpipe Doubling Strikes >
      • Bagpipe B Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe C Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe D Doubling Strike
      • Bagpipe Open D Doubling Strike
    • Lesson 6: G-D-E Grace Note Movement
    • Lesson 7: Bagpipe Strathspey Movement
    • Lesson 8: Bagpipe Music Categories and Tempo Guide
  • Maintenance/Tuning
    • Bagpipe Anatomy
    • Practice Chanter Maintenance and Tuning
    • Hemping Your Bagpipe
    • Bagpipe Pipe Bag
    • Bagpipe Blow Stick
    • Bagpipe Drones >
      • Drone Reeds
      • Drone Tuning
      • Drone Cords
      • Drone Problems, Solutions and Terminology
    • Bagpipe Chanter >
      • Bagpipe Chanter Reed
      • Bagpipe Chanter Reed Selection
      • Preparing your Chanter Reed
      • Making Reed Easier to Blow
      • Fix a Double Toning F
      • Taping Bagpipe Chanter
      • Cutting a Hole to Sharpen a Note
      • Pipe Chanter Pitch
      • Protecting Your Bagpipe Reed
      • Pitching Your Bagpipe Chanter
    • Bagpipe Case
    • Bagpipe Pitch and Tuning
    • Bagpipe Moisture Control
    • Bagpipe Stretching
  • Tunes
    • 2/4 Marches >
      • Mairi's Wedding
      • Brown Haired Maiden
      • Teribus
      • The Barren Rocks of Aden
      • High Road to Gairloch
      • Highland Laddie
      • The Earl of Mansfield
      • The 79th Farwell to Gibraltar
      • 42nd Highland Division
      • Sweet Maid of Glendaruel
      • 72nd's Farewell to Aberdeen
      • Liberton Boys Polka
    • 3/4 Marches >
      • Balmoral
      • Castle Dangerous
      • Green Hills of Tyrol
      • When the Battles Over
      • Colins Cattle
      • Bloody Fields of Flanders
      • Lochanside
      • Dream Valley of Glendaruel
    • 4/4 Marches >
      • Robin Adair
      • Scots Wha Hae
      • Scotland the Brave
      • Rowan Tree
      • Wings
      • Blue Bells of Scotland
      • Minstrel Boy
      • Were No Awa Tae Bide Awa
      • Lord Lovat's Lament
    • 6/8 Marches >
      • A Hundred Pipers
      • Bonnie Dundee
      • Steam Boat
      • Glendaruel Highlanders
      • Mucking of Georgie's Byre
      • Atholl Highlanders
    • Airs >
      • Amazing Grace
      • Mist Covered Mountains
      • Skye Boat Song
      • Going Home
      • Suo Gan
      • MacPhersons Lament
      • The Mingulay Boat Song
      • Road to the Isles
      • Loch Rannoch
    • Jigs >
      • Hag at the Churn
      • Rocking the Baby
      • Kesh Jig
      • Tripping up the Stairs
      • Old Hag at the Kiln
      • Paddy's Leather Breeches
      • Galician Jig
      • Paddy be Easy
      • Old Wife of Mill Dust
      • Floating the Flambeau
    • Reels >
      • Piper of Drummond
      • Sleepy Maggie
      • High Road to Linton
      • Gravel Walk
      • Jenny Dang the Weaver
      • The Owl
      • Itchy Fingers
      • Willie Davie
      • Crooked Bridge
      • The Wise Maid
      • Olive Branch
    • Strathspeys >
      • Loudons Bonnie Woods and Braes
      • Orange and Blue
      • A.A Cameron
      • Captain Horn
      • The Campbeltown Kiltie Band
    • Hornpipes >
      • Jolly Beggerman
      • Paddy MacGinty's Goat
      • Moving Cloud
      • The Boys of Blue Hill
    • Songs >
      • Auld Lang Syne
      • London Bridges Falling Down
      • Happy Birthday
      • Yankee Doodle
      • Flower of Scotland
      • America the Beautiful
      • Bridal March
      • O' Danny Boy
  • Contact