As we head into the colder, drier months, it’s a good time to think about your bagpipe’s health. Ron Bowen from The Bagpipe Place explains why winter conditions can put your beloved wooden bagpipe at risk of cracking, especially around the high-energy, low-temperature celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick's Day is a thrill for pipers and fans alike, but it’s also one of the toughest days on your pipes. Many pipers spend hours in near-freezing temperatures, playing back-to-back gigs, hopping from parades to pubs. Your bagpipe goes from resting in the cold to playing intensely in a short period, introducing sudden changes in temperature and moisture levels.
Why Do Bagpipes Crack?
Cracking happens because of rapid shifts in temperature and humidity. When you play, the air inside the bores of your bagpipe is much warmer and more humid than the air outside. Your breath, at around 95°F and almost 100% humidity, flows into the colder, drier wood of the pipes, causing the internal surfaces to expand while the exterior remains stable. This uneven expansion can lead to hairline fractures or full cracks, especially when external temperatures are low.
In North America, the winter climate is far from the stable, humid conditions of Scotland, where the wood in bagpipes fares much better. In Scotland, year-round humidity stays around 75% to 85%, with the temperature rarely swinging too far from comfortable. In North America, however, the extremes of heat and cold—paired with central heating that reduces indoor humidity to around 35%—create much more stress on the wood.
How to Protect Your Bagpipes in Cold Weather
Avoiding cracks entirely isn’t always possible when playing in cold, dry conditions, but here are a few tips to reduce the risk:
Limit Exposure to Temperature Swings: Avoid moving your bagpipe from extreme cold to warm environments too quickly. Let it gradually warm up before playing if it's been in a very cold space.
Use Moisture Control Systems: Consider a moisture control system to help regulate humidity levels inside your bagpipes.
Take Breaks: When possible, give your bagpipes a rest between playing sessions to reduce rapid, repeated heating of the wood.
Consider Revelation Pipes: If you’re playing outdoors for extended periods in extreme weather, using a polypenco (delrin) bagpipe instead of wood could be a safer option. These pipes can withstand harsher conditions without the risk of cracking.
Monitor Humidity: Keep a humidifier near your pipes at home to reduce drying effects in heated indoor spaces.
Ultimately, playing in cold, dry conditions will always carry a risk to your wooden bagpipes. While many pipers choose to chance it on big days like St. Patrick’s Day, protecting your pipes during the winter will give them the best shot at a long, crack-free life.
Stay warm, and keep piping!
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