 
Very simply put, proper blowing involves the constant and equal supply of air to all the reeds. This
incorporates exhaling (blowing) into the bag and maintaining a constant bag pressure during and between
breaths. This constant bag pressure is maintained by squeezing the bag gently with the arm while inhaling
and decreasing the arm pressure while exhaling into the bag. This takes considerable practice and perseverance.
Your ability to maintain steady bag pressure can best be measured by listening to your drones. They will
react to the slightest changes in air supply by falling in and out of tune. With practice and good instruction,
you will master the technique and steady blowing will become second nature to you.
Inexperienced
pipers should master steady blowing by playing the slowest of tunes that they know and listening to their
drones. In order to better focus their attention, they may wish to turn off one or two drones and listen
intently to the remaining drone or drones. The piper should be comfortable with the feel of the bagpipe.
There should be no conspicuous heaving, rocking, swaying, or bellowing of the bag arm. A great deal of
practice, with the emphasis on steady blowing and not on playing tunes, is necessary to master blowing.
The key.....listen.
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