Tuning Step-by Step

Now, let’s take a detailed look at the entire tuning process and I’ll explain what’s happening every step of the way, so you can really understand how each part of the tuning comes together.

I get started by tuning the outside tenor first and then match the bass drone. Notice how I’m using the InTune Mic and the Braw Tuner to make precise adjustments, and I’ve shut my middle tenor reed off to speed up the process.

Now, I get my pipe chanter and remove the Tone Protector Chanter Cap, And adding the chanter means there’s more pressure, so the drones need to be re-tuned to account for that.

Now, I place the InTune Mic on the chanter and begin warming it up by playing a tune. Warming up is essential because the pitch will rise and stabilize, resulting in more consistent tuning. You don’t want to do too much fine tuning before the pipes are warmed up.

Now we’re into the back and forth process. I’m tuning the drones, then checking the chanter notes, and switching back and forth between the two. This process repeats as things settle. At this point, you can rely on the tuner and the mic, but you’ll also know you’re on the right track as the sound improves and becomes more pleasing to your ear.

Quick side note: Tuning tools like the Braw Tuner and InTune Mic will not only help you get your pipes in tune but also teach you how to tune by ear. Just like a metronome helps you develop your internal sense of timing, using tuning tools will help you refine your ear, giving you a better sense of accurate tuning.

You’ll see here that the top hand notes are sharp, so I pull out the reed, apply some waxed hemp, adjust, and reinsert it. Reed adjustments, like adding hemp, significantly impact tuning stability, especially for the top-hand notes. Raising the reed will flatten the top-hand notes, while sinking the reed will sharpen them.

Now I’m playing slow notes up the scale and making tape adjustments as needed to high A, high G, F, and E. Playing slowly helps me identify which notes are sharp or flat, listen carefully, and make sure the tuner is getting a clear reading as I make these small adjustments to stabilize the pitch.

I resume playing here, keep playing and making adjustments as needed. There are no strict rules here—you could just focus on chanter tuning and then retune your drones at the end, but having the drones in tune helps you hear when the chanter notes are really in tune. Your ear is always a great companion to using the tuner and mic. I’m playing one of my favorite jigs, “The Banjo Breakdown.” Keeping the pipes warm and re-tuning is important to assess the overall balance.

Now I’m doing more of the same: playing, listening, and using the tuner to help make fine adjustments as needed. I pause the chanter, refresh the tuner, and make final tape adjustments to high G, D, C, and low A. Adding or removing tape has a noticeable effect on the pitch and stability of specific notes.

I play some Pìobaireachd with long tones to ensure everything is in tune. playing, listening, and making fine adjustments as needed.

Finally, I tune the drones one more time, make a few more small tape adjustments, and play a few jigs to see how everything is coming together. This is the final check for stability, and I celebrate getting the pipes perfectly in tune. It’s all about patience and precision, and here you can see the effort has really paid off.