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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