Bagpipe Essentials Collection #4: Bottom Hand Position
⚡ The Short Version
Start with the pinky, then the index finger on the second pad. The middle of the second pad, past the first pad and the crease, is where the index finger's hole should land; then let the other two fingers drop naturally.
Locked-out, hyperextended fingers are a sign of too much tension. Watch for little creases forming on the knuckles — that means the fingers are being pushed too straight, which takes more muscle effort both to hold and to lift than a relaxed position.
Thumb position matters as much as the fingers do. The perfect spot is right between the middle and ring fingers on the back of the chanter — many pipers hold it too high, which makes bottom-hand movements like birls, D throws, grips, and taorluaths harder to control.
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Bagpipe Essentials Collection #4: Bottom Hand Position
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⏱️ In this lesson
00:03Step Hole One: Pinky on the🔒
00:18on Step the Pad Finger Index Second Two:🔒
00:33Fingers Letting Drop the Other Two🔒
00:50Curled or Avoiding Locked-Out Fingers🔒
01:20Position Bottom-Hand Thumb The🔒
01:36Why Overlooked Position Thumb Is🔒
02:00Position Bottom-Hand Embellishments and Thumb🔒
02:21Spot Finding the Balanced🔒
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About this lesson
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