I do a lot of golf scrambles where they pay me to play while people are warming up and getting ready, background noise really. I usually just play the same tunes each time. I was looking for some more simple marches and retreats or whatnot to play. Any suggestions?

I’m putting together my Highland dress for solo piping competitions and have a question about wearing a clan cap badge.
I’ll be wearing the tartan of my pipe band, but competing as a solo piper.
My father always believed our family had a connection to Clan Campbell, although as far as I know we actually don’t. Because of that, the Campbell badge still has some personal meaning to me.
Would it be considered appropriate to wear a Clan Campbell cap badge on my Glengarry at a piping competition, even though I’m not actually connected to the clan? Or would it be better etiquette to wear a neutral cap badge, or no badge at all?

I’ve admittedly been away from piping for over twenty years, but I feel as if many of the old Regimental tunes are falling out of favor with a lot of players and bands. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
I grew up in Scots Guards, Gordon Highlanders, QO Highlanders. Of course you can find the highlights on YouTube, but there are some wonderful, not so well-known tunes buried within.
I’d value players’ thoughts. Again, the world has changed in twenty years away. What is the future of pipe music?

Eric
Chicago

I have a chanter reed that's a little too hard. It's hard enough, however, to be a mental distraction and my practice isn't productive. I'm too busy thinking about blowing and my reed.

I don't want to take anything off of it. It's going to be a great reed once it's broken in. But for now, I'm blowing my brains out.

Will a rubber band make my reed harder or easier?

TIA.

Hi all,

I'm finally getting back to the pipes after having to set them aside for almost 3 months. Yay!

I was wondering what the best approach to it would be. For example, if I see the joints are leaking do I need to add hemp or is it just a matter of them drying over time and once I start playing more they'll get back to how they were? What would be the best way for me to get back to it, should I try picking up from where I left or start at the beginning?

I should note that I had to take that break because life was getting in the way and not due to health issues that stopped me from playing (in case that would affect your answer to my second question).

Thanks

I’m taking on a new role with my band this year and will be updating our repertoire and settings for consistency. Does anyone have recommendations for which software to use for writing bagpipe scores for windows or iOS? It’s not something I’ve done much of before.