Is it possible?

[rorybbellows]

As mentioned over on the other thread, Leo Rowsome reckoned that It should be possible to play a tune with the bellows disconnected. Anyone out there ever put it to the test and if you have done it, what pitch set and what tune. I'd be skeptical it could be done with a wide bore chanter.
RORY

[FlaminGalah]

What is “a” tune?

AB?
AABB?
AABBAABB?
ABCDEABCDE? (Yes that’s the Bucks)

The first, AB - yes sure, drones and chanter, esp if it uses nice closed phrasing.

Anything else, and I’d say it’s mythical. Belongs with 7 years this and 7 years that to be a piper.

[NicoMoreno]

It depends on the size of the bag, I'd guess, as well as how hard the reed is... as well as how fast you're playing I'd guess at a relaxed speed, it might take about a minute to get through a tune once. At a faster, dance clip, between 30-45sec. I guess it's possible to play about that long on one bag's worth of air, at least on the 30 second end of the range anyway.

[rorybbellows]

Maybe a deliberate use of hyperbole to encourage pipers to set up their pipes properly.
RORY

[FlaminGalah]

Maybe a deliberate use of hyperbole to encourage pipers to set up their pipes properly.
RORY

I think that's it. A firm instruction to seek help or make adjustments if you are pumping like mad or squeezing too hard.

I think it might be possible with some flat sets or very lightly set concerts for short tunes, in the right circumstances, with a confident player, in a tight fingering style, during a full moon, with 68.3758% humidity.

[pancelticpiper]

Maybe a deliberate use of hyperbole to encourage pipers to set up their pipes properly.

It was amazing to see Paddy Moloney pumping like mad and him just playing the chanter.

I can't even imagine playing a set that leaked that much.

[rorybbellows]

Happens to the greatest, Liam going pretty much hell for leather in this clip. Doesn't take much, a wonky valve or a loosening joint and you are using the bellows like a compressor
https://youtu.be/tsPcjlmnp1U
RORY

[Mr.Gumby]

I think it might be possible with some flat sets or very lightly set concerts for short tunes, in the right circumstances, with a confident player, in a tight fingering style, during a full moon, with 68.3758% humidity.

My C set could do it, no bother. It was my party piece for students who over-worked the bellows for a long time. Still on the original 1986 bag that at this stage owes me nothing, it has become more difficult.

Leo Rowsome was well known for knowing how to set up a set of pipes well. I don't think it was hyperbole on his part.

And I don't think 'tight style' uses less air, unless you clip your notes very short ofcourse.

[MichaelLoos]

Happens to the greatest, Liam going pretty much hell for leather in this clip. Doesn't take much, a wonky valve or a loosening joint and you are using the bellows like a compressor

I've seen his bellows after it had been replaced - there were several holes in the gusset!

[Sillysausage1968]

The bag and bellows are to work in unison to make jazz effortless..... but the bellows are the engine https://youtu.be/MCbtkr6bnpg..makes zero sense, to me at any rate, to be left arm dominant....right arm for the ciotóg.......and where were my manners?...thank-you to the moderators and back room team for the ad....

[PJ]

As occasionally happens, the airway from my bellows to the bag will occasionally pop out in the middle of a tune. If I'm playing just the chanter (no drones/regs), and if the bag is at full pressure, I can probably play half a tune (ex. 2 B parts) before running out of air. However, I'm usually doubled-over the bag at that point, squeezing the last molecules of air out of it, and probably rushing to finish the tune. It doesn't sound nice to play like that and it's not something I strive to be good at. I prefer having a firm connection to the bellows. It's like driving on the highway when the fuel light has come on, and you don't know when you'll stall.

[rorybbellows]

Hi Sillysausage1968, welcome to the forum. You're doing the what now?
RORY

[Sillysausage1968]

Thank-you for the warm welcome Rory.

SS

[rorybbellows]

You're welcome, always good to have new members on the forum. Looking forward to your contributions.
RORY

[Ian Lawther]

Maybe a deliberate use of hyperbole to encourage pipers to set up their pipes properly.
RORY

This could be the case. I have had occasions when teaching Northumbrian pipes to others where I have had students who overblow their pipes and are convinced that they are not able to get enough air into the bag. I have had them inflate the bag and then told then to play a tune while I uncouple the bellows and make them play until the air is gone. Most are very surprised how long they go before there is not enough air to get a sound, but usually it is no more than once through a single part, if that.