# Shortening the bag

**URL:** <https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/shortening-the-bag/44994>\
**Category:** Uilleann Pipes\
**Created:** [February 10, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/shortening-the-bag/44994 "2007-02-10T15:00:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tim\_H](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@Tim\_H](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Tim_H)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/shortening-the-bag/44994/1 "2007-02-10T15:00:43Z")

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Hi. Is it usual or recommended to shorten the bag. My arms are not very long and I find I am squeezing the bag fairly near the neck. I am sure I would have more control if I squeezed it nearer the middle but that would mean shortening the neck and resealing chanter block. I have tried letting the neck bend but this restricts the airflow so I like th keep the neck straight and fully inflated.  
Thanks. Tim

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**Author:** ![billh](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/billh/32/600_2.png) [@billh](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/billh)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/shortening-the-bag/44994/2 "2007-02-10T18:22:34Z")

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Hi Tim;

It’s usual to tilt the chanter so that the head is farther away from your body than the foot. Perhaps this will help; you may need to drop your right knee a bit to make the seal against the popping strap work.

(Straight up and down is not recommended)

Bill

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**Author:** ![Pipewort](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/pipewort/32/5500_2.png) [@Pipewort](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Pipewort)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2007, 10:08pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/shortening-the-bag/44994/3 "2007-02-10T22:08:14Z")

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If it is the restriction that bothers you, try twisting the chanter stock 45 degrees plus or less a bit on the chanter top. This might reduce any constriction caused by a thick welt on the bag. Worth a go before reducing neck length, at least.

It also makes the neck a little more flexible, that might help you too.