Quibblings

The EBelaire is truly a new twist on something old.  No one today even blinks at the player of a small-pipe driven by a mechanical bellows.  Similarly, no one 'scoffs' at synthetic bags, synthetic reeds, plastic chanters, pipes etc.  Personally, I think the greatest innovation since the invention of the 'Stock' was the bag zipper!     Here we will capture some of the quibblings and misunderstandings related to the EBelaire.

The fundamental problem with electronic bagpipes is that they are, first and foremost, digital representations of bagpipe sounds.   They all depend on external amplification and speakers.  While they are very effective in concert halls and recording studios they are not usable on the street or in a practice circle.  There is an ineffable quality in the sound of a well tuned and well played reeded bagpipe that is simply beyond the current electronic offerings.   The EBelaire is the only commercial solution available today that supports the playing of a reeded bagpipe.

I have found in my 30+ years of teaching students that the most difficult point comes when they transition from the practicer chanter to the bagpipe.  The EBelaire has helped my students to physically understand what the instrument should feel like at full pressure.  Knowing the goal helps clarify and give purpose to all other instructions.