The bags that Jackie makes are based on my sending him the shape of
Burleigh bags which by the 1960's had proved to a good practical shape
and size i.e. 21" in length, 9" deep with the bag approx. 12"x9" with
the neck curving up steeply to avoid pressing against the left arm or
wrist. I make the neck length 9" from where the drone stock is tied
into the bag.
Colin R
-----Original Message-----
From: Francis Wood <[email protected]>
To: Richard York <[email protected]>
CC: NSP group <[email protected]>
Sent: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 8:33
Subject: [NSP] Re: bag shape
Hello Richard,
Many NSP bags can be slightly rectangular in aspect and the 'corner'
near the
blowpipe has the potential to annoy some players. If you find that
experimentation in managing the bag differently does not help, a good
solution
would be to order a bag with the profile of that edge smoothed into a
broader
curve. Enough to make this more comfortable without significantly
disturbing the
position of the blowpipe stock.
Jackie Boyce will make you anything you like. His bags are excellent:
http://pipebagmaker.com/
Francis
On 26 Jan 2010, at 18:18, Richard York wrote:
I'd welcome comments/advice on nsp bag shape, please.
There's the conventional shape, and now I learn there's the tear-drop
shape.
I've been playing other (non Scottish) bagpipes for quite a long
time, with
various shaped bags, from medieval/renaissance large tear drop, held
more in
front of the body, to nsp-like but bigger on Jon Swayne D border pipes,
and have
got used to & comfortable with them.
I'm still finding my way on nsp's... I suspect this is a life-long
state...
but find that after some 10 or so minutes of playing I'm getting a
restricted
left hand movement, as my arm's getting pressure from the bulge of the
bag
against my forearm where it restricts the blood flow or something; this
is a
problem I don't get with my other sets. I've tried varying my arm
position/bag
position/drone angle/position of jaw/general earth energy and leyline
alignment
etc, but haven't yet cracked the problem.
It seems logical to expect that the tear-drop shape, with most of the
bag
further back under the arm, is going to leave my forearm more relaxed
and less
pressured.
But until you've tried anything you don't know, and I'd like to hear
from
anyone who has, please, either positive or negative experience of this
shape.
With thanks,
Richard.
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