Part 1 Transcript:  Today I’m going to assemble a set of bagpipes from scratch and show you step-by-step how to put your pipes together from all of the different parts to make your pipes ready to play.  You’ll be able to watch and learn about all of the different components, parts, tools, and special tricks I use to build my own pipes, and it’s all based on my over 30 years of experience as a piper and bagpipe teacher.  

I’ll show you every single step of the process including, unboxing the pipes, tying on the pipe bag, installing the water trap and moisture control system, the blowpipe and valve, and the Perfect Angle Blowpipe Positioner.  I’ll show you how to install your drone cords for a perfect fit and classic look.  we’ll look at hemping the joints and tuning slides and talk about the advantages of different materials like hemp , dental floss, and waxed nylon.  

In Part 2, I’ll show you how to thread your drone reed seats so your drone reeds never fall out, and how to install a new set of drone reeds.  We’ll set up the pipe chanter, Tone Protector humidity controlling reed cap, and look at selecting pipe chanter reeds from the Tone Protector Reed Case.  Finally, I’ll show you the secrets for oiling your pipes.  And I have provided a list of links for all of the supplies and tools I use in this video so you can get what you need to get your pipes put together perfectly on your own.

So let’s get started!

When I buy a set of pipes I always set them up myself so they are exactly the way I want them.  There are so many options out there for the various components of the pipes, and I want to use the ones that are the very best and perfectly for me.  What I’m going to show in this video is EXACTLY the way my pipes are set up. 

I have also assembled sets of pipes for many students and other pipers, using this exact same set up and they have all been very happy with the results — in terms of quality, efficiency, and overall playing comfort.  Links to everything in the video are available in the description below.  All of the parts and accessories are what I use personally and what I recommend for you.  They should work very well for you regardless of your make of pipes or your experience level.

If you have questions about anything in this video, please ask them in the comments below.  If you are looking for a set of pipes and you don’t have the time or interest or experience to build your pipes yourself, I am happy to do it for you.  Please reach out to me via my website at BagpipeLessons.com/contact.

Unpacking pipes — these Athertons come individually wrapped and labeled.  Silver and imitation ivory.  Not all pipe makers do this but OT and Middle Tenor are labeled.  Keep them labeled.

First install the moisture control system — my favorite is dri-flo.

Rubber cups attach to grooves.

There are many pipe bags, natural, synthetic and hybrid — my favorite by far is the hybrid: leather outside for traditional feel, synthetic inside so super airtight and no seasonings, dries out completely.  The best in the world and trusted by thousands of pipers is Bannatyne hybrid, this one has the bottom zipper which give great access to inside and stays out of the way, they make one with a size zipper, I don’t like that one because the zipper is right on the side of the bag where your arms squeezes.  I have three sizes in the shop, small, extended small, and the Willie McCallum size.  I play a small.  The Willie size is very popular since Willie designed it to be like a medium in the back with some extra room for your tubes and moisure control system but narrower in the front for better comfort and ergonomics.  It’s slightly too large for me, but a very popular size.  Probably my best-selling size.  I don’t stock the medium or large size bags since they are really way too big for anyone.

Install stocks into the bag, insert from inside, wet the inside of the grommet (don’t use soap or oil), push through, tugging is okay, bags are strong!

Check it’s flush on the inside.

Repeat for tenors.

Install water tube trap, hemped up goes into bag into bottom of blowpipe stock.  Easier to fit it before stock is installed to bag.

Waxed nylon lacing and dental floss — better than hemp!

Install blowpipe stock.

Next install chanter stock — no grommet, use ‘O’ ring and hose clamp and black tape.

Use tape as a gasket helps seal.

Use tape on outside too to protect bag from clamp.

Wide tape again over clamp to protect bag cover.

Now extra tape over the grommet joints.

Attach the dri-flo tubes to the rubber cups.

Use some zipper lube the first time you close the zipper.  Not needed to seal but reduces wear and tear on the zipper and makes it easier to open and close.

Favorite mouthpiece is the Ayrshire Bagpipes mouthpiece with built-in valve — typical rubber valves attached to the bottom of the blowpipe and easily damaged, but this one is inside so totally out of harm’s way, seals great.  This one is the oval mouthpiece which I love, not sure if they make this any more.

Rubber mouthpiece protector — from BagpipeLessons.com comes with the Perfect Angle Blowpipe Positioner.

Thicker and tighter.  To install, use some water.  Or even easier use this tool called spreader pliers or ring opening pliers — like pliers but goes reverse and opens.

Next install Perfect Angle™ Blowpipe Positioner — allows you to position the blowpipe in perfect angle and position so it sits comfortably in the mouth and doesn’t fly away.  Very popular!  

O’Ring with buckles on blowpipe stock.  ‘O’ rings with the black webbing on bass and tenor.  Attach the buckles.  You’ll adjust this later when the pipes are being played, simply shorten them to pull the blowpipe toward the head.  Ideally let got with mouth and sits right there.

Now hemping up the blowpipe joint.  Many pipers use hemp which is really linen thread, even with the wax it’s not very waterproof, gets soaked here because of so much moisture from breath. It disintegrates and rots, and dries and shrinks and swells up, etc.

For years I’ve used a combination of dental floss and waxed nylon lacing tape.

It’s like dental floss but thicker.  Waxes, doesn’t swell or shrink and lasts pretty much forever…

See how I start the wrapping, first strand lengthwise, hold with thumb and then wrap over it. No knot.  Holds nice and tight.  Put some tension to keep it snug and sealed to the pipes. Don’t want it to separate and then you have spinning hemp and have to start over.  Also keep some space there, don’t go to either end.  As it is pressed down it spreads out and this gives some room.

Use dental floss for the last little bit to get the tightness perfect.  Note: any newly-hemped joint of the slide may get loose over the first few days or weeks, this is normal as the material compresses down, just add a few more wraps, eventually it will be perfect and stable.

Now: drone cords.  Two models, wool or silk.  Silk seems to be more popular these days.  Solid colors or multi colors.  Pick something that matches or doesn’t!

I use these tiny cable ties.  Easy to install and remove and holds very tight.  I think traditionally they used needle and thread but I haven’t done that in years.

Start at the outside tenor.  Make sure the length is right, not too long. I like 4 or 5 inches from the edge of the drone top.  Use cable ties, keep it tight so cord stays in the cord holder groove.  Keep it snug, the drone will turn.  Pull cable ties tight so they don’t slide.

Next move to the Middle Tenor, make sure cords are twisted.  I like 6 inches or so.  In older photos it was wider, but most pipers like the narrower spacing since it keeps the drones more compact. Easier to keep on your shoulder, not pull away from you.

Next bass middle section.  Same 6 inches so it looks even.  No cord holder here so just attach with a little bit of looseness here.

Now to the bass top.  Again make sure not twisted or knotted.  Keep a little bit of slack so you can take pipes apart.

Snip off the excess from cable ties.  Careful not to cut the cords!

Last thing we need to do is knot the cords, but first I’ll hemp up the top tuning slide.  Again using the thumb and holding the end vertical and wrapping over the end.  Wrap and test the first, wrap and test, etc.  When pretty close, I get a perfect fit with dental floss.  Wrap, test, then trim the end.  I don’t knot it.  The wax holds it in.  easier to remove some if you need to, just find the loose end.

The knot!  A lot of these drone cords have too much length to them especially since we are spacing them closer these days, so a very cool stylish look and way to use up some excess length is with 1 or 2 knots.

Take the loose end with the tassel and do a simple overhand knot on itself but going around the cord that’s attached to the drone.  It looks pretty and will slide up and down.  I like to do a second knot and have them right next to each other, it looks super cool.

Back to drones.

Great, so now you have unpacked your pipes, attached your dri- flo moisture control system, and your Bannatyne hybrid pipe bag with the water trap tube and bottle, attached your mouthpiece with vale and rubber mouthpiece protector that comes with your Perfect Angle™ Blowpipe Positioner.  You know how to wrap a joint and slide with waxed nylon lacing tape and finish it off with dental floss — for a tougher, longer lasting, moisture resistant fit.  And I’ve shown you how to install your drone cords with the perfect spacing and that lovely little knot for a classic stylish look that’s the perfect length.

In my next video, we’ll complete the bagpipe building process and I’ll show you how to thread your drone reed seats so your drone reeds never fall out, and how to install a new set of drone reeds.  We’ll set up the pipe chanter, Tone Protector Humidity Controlling Reed Cap, and look at selecting reeds from the Tone Protector reed case.  Finally, I’ll show you the secrets for oiling your pipes.  

I’ve put links to everything in this video in the description below, including all of the supplies and tools I’ve used.  Remember, everything in this video is exactly the same way I set up my own pipes and everything is something I recommend.  One of the secrets to playing well and enjoying your piping more is pipes that are set up to sound great, feel great to play, and stay in tune.  So check out the links below for all of these great items.

And please check out the BagpipeLessons.com YouTube channel for part 2 and for all of my other great videos.  I created BagpipeLessons.com to help you achieve your dream to be a piper, regardless of your age, previous experience, or where you live in the world.  So make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel and click the notification bell to stay updated when we post new videos.  When you subscribe, it lets YouTube know that you like my videos and it helps me grow the channel by recommending my videos to other pipers who might find them useful, too.

For additional free resources, including videos, lessons, and guides, make sure to head over to BagpipeLessons.com/learn. And download my free pdf guide called “How to Achieve a World-Class Bagpipe Sound,” — the link is in the description below. 

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below. 

If you are looking to take your piping to the next level, please check out my BagpipeLessons.com Inner Circle.  With your membership, you gain full access to the very best at BagpipeLessons.com. This includes weekly live interactive online classes for pipers for all skill levels led by me and World Champion guest instructors. You’ll also get access to my exclusive lesson library filled with hundreds of videos, lessons, tunes, exercises, demonstrations, and more covering EVERY topic in piping from music theory to technique to tuning maintenance set up and so much more. And you get personalized support from me to help you reach your piping goals. To find out more about joining my Inner Circle, please visit https://bagpipelessons.com/membership

Thanks and Happy Piping