Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks?

AFMPiper · 03-14-2012, 11:11 AM

Does this happen if you can't play your full pipes for two weeks? I ask because I will be attending two summer camps this summer back to back and can't bring my full pipes. I am planning to practice on my practice chanter during free times though. Will I be very out of shape when I come back?

snowbear · 03-14-2012, 11:21 AM

I have been forced to take a break as well sometimes. I can't say my stamina was reduced to a point where I could notice it.
I'm sure there is some medical science that can prove a slight loss of stamina, but I don't think you will be back to square one after two weeks.

AFMPiper · 03-14-2012, 11:31 AM

Good, thanks this makes me feel better. I don't have instrument insurence yet and the leadership camp I'm going to we are sleeping in tents for seven days, so it would be very hard to keep up with my pipes. The traditional camp I'm going to we are in cabins, but they said we will be doing stuff a lot so not much time to really practice.

Lance Ferguson · 03-14-2012, 12:32 PM

I notice a bit of a reduction in stamina when I don't practice but not so much it takes long to get back to form. And not nearly as long as it took to get there the first time!

bog-standard · 03-14-2012, 01:04 PM

My lips get loose after a week off the pipes. really sloppy after 2 weeks off.
Only takes 2 days to get sorted out, full steam ahead.

AFMPiper · 03-14-2012, 01:07 PM

Thanks bog-standard, very good to know. I sure wish I could bring my pipes, but it will still be a good time.

bog-standard · 03-14-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFMPiper

Thanks bog-standard, very good to know. I sure wish I could bring my pipes, but it will still be a good time.

Sometimes those breaks can be good for you too. Taking time away from the "auld obsession" can be good for your perspective, and general peace of mind. Perhaps you'll come back refreshed.

AFMPiper · 03-14-2012, 01:26 PM

Yes, it will be a good break and hopefully at my fun camp I can introduce the other campers to the practice chanter and get them into piping. As for leadership camp maybe I can play it if we have camp fires at night.
I'm looking forward to both. The fun camp is for disabled young people where we ride horses, do ropes courses, go rapeling off towers, hiking and such and the leadership camp is for one of the organizations I'm in where we learn about public speaking, some school type courses like history and other academic stuff, and doing stuff in the field like living outside. It will be a great summer.

John Bolt · 03-14-2012, 01:59 PM

I have unwillingly taken a few days off and it's surprising how quickly you can lose it but fortunately it comes right back after a day.

Steve Anderson · 03-14-2012, 02:20 PM

Usually the worst that will happen is that the reed will dry out and perhaps open up a bit over the duration of time. If you have a hide bag, it may dry and take a little playing before it gets tight again.

All in a days work...

03-14-2012, 11:11 AM	#1
AFMPiper Forum Clasp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: attending National Labor College Posts: 994	Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? Does this happen if you can't play your full pipes for two weeks? I ask because I will be attending two summer camps this summer back to back and can't bring my full pipes. I am planning to practice on my practice chanter during free times though. Will I be very out of shape when I come back?

03-14-2012, 11:21 AM	#2
snowbear Forum Silver Medal Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over Posts: 366	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? I have been forced to take a break as well sometimes. I can't say my stamina was reduced to a point where I could notice it. I'm sure there is some medical science that can prove a slight loss of stamina, but I don't think you will be back to square one after two weeks. __________________ Never sacrifice clarity for speed

03-14-2012, 11:31 AM	#3
AFMPiper Forum Clasp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: attending National Labor College Posts: 994	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? Good, thanks this makes me feel better. I don't have instrument insurence yet and the leadership camp I'm going to we are sleeping in tents for seven days, so it would be very hard to keep up with my pipes. The traditional camp I'm going to we are in cabins, but they said we will be doing stuff a lot so not much time to really practice.

03-14-2012, 12:32 PM	#4
Lance Ferguson Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Raymond, NE Posts: 60	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? I notice a bit of a reduction in stamina when I don't practice but not so much it takes long to get back to form. And not nearly as long as it took to get there the first time! __________________ Loud Pipes Save Lives

03-14-2012, 01:04 PM	#5
bog-standard Forum Clasp Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 826	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? My lips get loose after a week off the pipes. really sloppy after 2 weeks off. Only takes 2 days to get sorted out, full steam ahead. __________________ An Píob Mhór Ghaelach * Seán Pádraig Ó Treasaigh

03-14-2012, 01:07 PM	#6
AFMPiper Forum Clasp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: attending National Labor College Posts: 994	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? Thanks bog-standard, very good to know. I sure wish I could bring my pipes, but it will still be a good time.

03-14-2012, 01:26 PM	#8
AFMPiper Forum Clasp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: attending National Labor College Posts: 994	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? Yes, it will be a good break and hopefully at my fun camp I can introduce the other campers to the practice chanter and get them into piping. As for leadership camp maybe I can play it if we have camp fires at night. I'm looking forward to both. The fun camp is for disabled young people where we ride horses, do ropes courses, go rapeling off towers, hiking and such and the leadership camp is for one of the organizations I'm in where we learn about public speaking, some school type courses like history and other academic stuff, and doing stuff in the field like living outside. It will be a great summer. Last edited by AFMPiper; 03-14-2012 at 01:34 PM.

03-14-2012, 01:59 PM	#9
John Bolt Forum Clasp Join Date: May 2010 Location: 240 K east of Vancouver Posts: 904	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? I have unwillingly taken a few days off and it's surprising how quickly you can lose it but fortunately it comes right back after a day. __________________ John Bolt My piping stuff http://s1079.photobucket.com/albums/w514/JOHNBOLT1/

03-14-2012, 02:20 PM	#10
Steve Anderson Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: TN, USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Losing Stamina if you can't play for a few weeks? Usually the worst that will happen is that the reed will dry out and perhaps open up a bit over the duration of time. If you have a hide bag, it may dry and take a little playing before it gets tight again. All in a days work...