First parades this weekend

**NewPiperinNY** · 8th March 09, 04:53 PM

Hey all... just figured I would share the pictures from my first parade that took place in Rockaway Beach, NY on Sat 3/7...

.. then today (Sunday) marched in the Staten Island St Patrick's Day Parade.. but I have no pictures. The ghillie broghues that I have are not the best for marching as my feet are proving this evening... I need to find a decently priced pair of marchig broughes. Any suggestions?

**Highlander31** · 8th March 09, 05:55 PM

Congratulations on your first (and second) parade(s). I would suggest Celtic Croft for the broughes. They have good quality and reasonable prices. The ghillies I purchased from them four years ago are still going strong.

**highland mafia** · 8th March 09, 06:32 PM

You should really re-tie those drones. It'll make a world of differance I swear!! Do you ever find that your pipes seem to fall out from under your arm? That you get a bit of a sore neck while playing? That your just flat out uncomfi? Put your hand in between each drone (top of tenors), keep figures relaxed and natural and that's how far apart they should be tied. Swear to god it'll be like a whole new set of pipes!

**GMan** · 8th March 09, 07:58 PM

That's really cool.

**Spartan** · 8th March 09, 09:48 PM

Very cool!

**NewPiperinNY** · 9th March 09, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by highland mafia

You should really re-tie those drones. It'll make a world of differance I swear!! Do you ever find that your pipes seem to fall out from under your arm? That you get a bit of a sore neck while playing? That your just flat out uncomfi? Put your hand in between each drone (top of tenors), keep figures relaxed and natural and that's how far apart they should be tied. Swear to god it'll be like a whole new set of pipes!

I am going to have to look into that. I attribute anything 'wrong' with still being a newbie piper. I just thought that the pipes are an uncomfortable instrument to play ...

**highland mafia** · 9th March 09, 10:10 AM

Yeah Man. Your pipes should not be uncomfortable to play at all. They should "fit you". So many people have too long of a blow pipe and drones way to far apart. When I teach at band the first thing I do with a student is adjust their pipes. Their playing is so vastly improved just by shortening the blow pipe and drones you wouldn't believe it!!

**NewPiperinNY** · 9th March 09, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by highland mafia

Yeah Man. Your pipes should not be uncomfortable to play at all. They should "fit you". So many people have too long of a blow pipe and drones way to far apart. When I teach at band the first thing I do with a student is adjust their pipes. Their playing is so vastly improved just by shortening the blow pipe and drones you wouldn't believe it!!

Do you think you could point me to a picture of a properly tied set of drones? I understand what you are saying.... just find it hard to picture.

**highland mafia** · 9th March 09, 02:16 PM

I posted twice oops!

**highland mafia** · 9th March 09, 03:18 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qse-bc-a88

This is the guy who basically taught everything. Have a look at the spacing of his drones.

http://www.bagpipejourney.com/articl...ne_cords.shtml

This a good referance site for all things maintance.

Good luck and welcome to the ever frustrating world of piping!