Tuning the Drones to the Chanter

This is the second video following "Blowing, Squeezing and Tuning". You should watch them in order. In this video we discuss tuning the chanter to the drones on the Great Highland Bagpipe.
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[@sweetscience7817]

Hi Gary!
You’ve turned off comments under you “blowing, squeezing and tuning” video, so I’ll ask here.
Let’s say my drones turn off at 130 and my High A turns off at 120.
Two questions in this regard:
1. Is this OK that Low G starts to wobble between 125 and 130 or there something wrong with the reed?
2. Is it correct to make frequent exhales to keep the pressure between 120 and 125? I find that the required pressure drops very quickly, especially when I play quick tunes (e.g., Cork hill) and it seems that the only way I can keep the pressure is to blow frequently.

[@bagpipesforbeginners]

Why don't you submit a video showing the problem. Seeing is believing, right?

[@bagpipesforbeginners]

After reading this again it appears to me that you might be breathing with the musical phrase. That would account for the difference in Cork Hill.

[@davehogan1716]

Isn’t this tuning the drones to the chanter? (Not the other way around)

[@bagpipesforbeginners]

I was probably drunk when I wrote the title. I fixed it. Thanks for being so observant.

[@sweetscience7817]

Hi Gary! Thanks for the video.
I didn’t quite get it: what particulary do you check when tuning the outside drone? Are you looking for beats to slow down?

[@bagpipesforbeginners]

That's correct. I move the tuning slide until the beats slow down and flat line and then move it down a little further as my chanter goes sharp when I put the bottom hand on it. Move, check, move, check etc.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@sweetscience7817]

But on which note do I have to look for wobbling to stop? Should I look for it on E or on Low A? Or on both?

[@bagpipesforbeginners]

@@sweetscience7817 I start out on either E or D as they are both perfect intervals from A. When the beats flat line, I check my low A. If I hear beats on low A I continue to move the drone down to make it sharper as my bottom had on the chanter raises the pitch slightly. I move, check, move check in until it is flat lined on the low A. I hope that I answered your question.

[@sweetscience7817]

Thanks, Gary, now I got it!