Living near the water in Port Dover is beautiful, but the humidity from Lake Erie can be a nightmare for bagpipes. Too much moisture makes the reeds heavy and “flat,” while too little can make the wood of the pipes crack. Pipe maintenance is a 365-day-a-year job that involves a lot of oiling, cleaning, and checking for leaks.
One of the best tips we give new pipers is to use a “synthetic” bag if they are worried about the weather. Unlike traditional hide bags, synthetic bags don’t need to be “seasoned” and are much more stable in the changing Ontario climate. However, many of our purists still swear by the sound of a sheepskin bag—even if it means a lot more work to keep it from getting moldy!
We often spend the first half-hour of our Port Dover practices just swapping out reeds and adjusting “drones.” It’s all part of the process. If you take care of your pipes, they’ll take care of you during a long performance. A well-maintained set of pipes is a joy to play, and it makes the North Shore Highlanders sound like the world-class band we strive to be.
Want to see the North Shore Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band, Port Dover, Ontario in action?
Catch our next performance in the heart of Norfolk County!