Topic ^
Just a general question.
Cheers,
Armand
I thought would never be able to play UPs because of the death grip. After over a year of struggling, another played tried by chanter and was amazed at how stiff the reed was. He gave it some delicate scrapes (not recommended unless you know what you’re doing) which made it easier to play. I didn’t have to squeeze so hard on the bag to get a sound of the chanter, so I was able to ease up on my grip a little.
I still had some problems, until someone told me a good trick: There’s no logical reason why your fingers should squeeze on the chanter while you’re elbow is squeezing on the bag - it’s just a reflex. While playing, start off by trying to relax your toes. If you can do that, then try relaxing your fingers. It’s a matter of disciplining yourself.
One of my students for scottish pipes has a really bad death grip on his practice chanter. I don’t know how he can have a wank without tearing his willy off.
try cellotaping a drawing pin to the back of the chanter and rest your thumb on that,the drawing pin is not that sharp that it will easily go through your skin so a little pressure can be applied to lift off for the bottom D,mind you ,you will soon find out if you do start applying to much pressure.i found that it worked for me also the gap difference from when the pin was there and when its is taken off,makes you grip the chanter more lighty.must be a mind memory position thing??
only a thought
try cellotaping a drawing pin to the back of the chanter and rest your thumb on that
Please don’t get me wrong. Iv’e no doubt the tactic works.
It just reminds me that my fiance wanted to tape a tennis ball to my back to stop me from snoring!
Tommy
Of course,I have one of those massive’Low G’ Chanters! 
And the Pinnochio wooden nose to go with it!
wow.
not
a picture
i wanted
Two things help me (with the death grip, not the wankin’):
Lewis showing me that my reed was too hard to play, so I scraped it a little, played some, scraped it some more (repeat as necessary) and now it plays very easily.
Second thing is when my fingers start cramping/death grip, I practice rolls up and down the scale. this loosens them up and I can play some more.
I am surprised that nobody here has yet mentioned the most obvious cure of ‘the death grip’… amputation. 
Heres the advice I gave a couple years back ,nice to see know one took a blind bit of notice 
Uilliam
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2003 11:58 pm Post subject:
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Without fail I have seen all beginers hold the chanter in some sort of vice like grip,relax your hold on the chanter.Try this …rest the chanter lightly against your fingers not holding it at all but resting on the fingers which are (of course) covering all the notes then open whichever holes ye like,play a scale ,a tune whatever.Ye will see that it is not necessary to GRIP the wee beastie in a death hold.
Sit in front of a mirror and make sure you are holding the chanter correctly.
All I would add to the above is keep the neck of the bag straight so the chanter is resting at a slight angle away from ye …so in effect the bag is holding the chanter which is resting in your hands,try this for a wee while and when ye realize that ye can do it without throttling the thing put the lower thumb back to rest and carry on.
The upper thumb problem can be resolved if ye place the thumb almost sideways on the chanter instead of flat on.It will be almost impossible to do a vice grip the chanter if ye hold the thumb thus so.
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
Touch not the cat bot a glove:
Your chanter should be vibrating when you play.
Try to feel it, you won’t be able to if you use the death grip.