How do you know when it is time to tune your bagpipes...?

Answer 1

when your pimp hand is way to strong

Answer 2

I never know if questions like this are serious or not. I'll treat as serious and say that the pipes are tuned before and sometimes during the time they're played. With the use of plastic drone reeds, drone tuning isn't the headache it once was. The cane chanter reed will change with temperature and humidity and since the drones are tuned to the chanter, they will have to be retuned as the chanter changes. Normally a piper will play for a minimum of five minutes or so to stabilze his reeds before doing a final tuning. But,that's only when you're about to play. Sometimes, like for a wedding or funeral, you may have to sit and wait for a while. I'll tune the pipes "cold" and then wait. When it's my time to play I know the pipes will start out in tune and will stay that way for 3 to 5 minutes. After that..it's time to retune.

Tuning an entire bagpipe band takes cooperation from all the players to leave their reeds alone and let the band 'tuner' only adjust them. The tuner must have a good knowledge of reeds and an ear to know which player is the one out of tune. Each individual pipe may not be in tune exactly, but the band's overall sound is what's important. A lot goes into developing the sound the band is striving for.

Answer 3

When even a Scotsman can't stand to listen to them,

But even then, he'll still drink to the music.

Answer 4

when the music that you make lasts less than a minute