Piper Wanna Be

**Mael Coluim** · 18th December 07, 08:13 PM

This weekend, I cleaned out my closets and drawers of clothes I no longer wear. My kilt collection is growing and I needed the room.

Today, I took the clothes down to the Salvation Army Re-Sale Store. As I brought in my bags of clothes into the receiving room a red box on some other bags of clothes caught my eye.

It was an unopened (sealed in clear wrap) Piper Chanter Kit from the Bagpipes of Caledonia in Edinburgh. Wow, I thought. I don’t know about you but when folks see me in the kilt it’s the second most asked question, “where is your bagpipes?”

I have often said if I was younger I would like to learn to play the bagpipes. I also have no musical talent what so ever. All that aside, that red box seemed to have my name on it.

So, I picked it up and told the attendant I would be interested in buying it. Taking it to the cashier, she asked for $2.50. I gave her ten and told her to keep the change.

Wish me luck!

**McMurdo** · 18th December 07, 08:18 PM

Meant to be, no doubt, best of luck with it.

**Bugbear** · 18th December 07, 08:23 PM

Good luck with your musical adventure. Back in colege, I used to take a chanter and jam with the jazz dudes. You can really play between the cracks if you're using plastic reeds and just the chanter. It's kind of fun.

**TheKiltedWonder** · 18th December 07, 08:46 PM

best of luck! I need to start hitting the thrift stores!

**Mike S** · 18th December 07, 08:54 PM

You'll likely want to upgrade chanters once you have been bitten by the bug. Although the packaging and name would suggest otherwise, the chanter in question (it is sold thru many other sources, not the least of which, Ebay) from Bagpipes of Caledonia is actually made in Pakistan to VERY shaky standards of materials (Pakistani "Sheesham" wood), quality, and dimentions...translation, it is off key with poor intonation, and not up to the standards of Scottish, Canadian, USA made "proper" instruments.

Get an instructor (which is vital for the pipes, previous musical experience or not), and you'll get the full dope on this.

No attempt on my part to depleat your joy factor in this, but I'm telling you NOW what you will learn LATER without the advice to guide you.

Cheers.

**auld argonian** · 18th December 07, 09:25 PM

Not to rain on your parade but my well intentioned mom gave me that exact set a couple of years ago...I think that you'll be interested in doing a chanter upgrade relatively quickly. It is one of the notorious "Far Eastern" instruments and may cause you some frustration. At least you get it at bargain basement prices.

Best

AA

**Mike S** · 19th December 07, 12:26 AM

Err,
A little late on the draw AA, but it reiterates what I wrote above.

**Prester John** · 19th December 07, 06:43 AM

Congratulations!

Just be sure to find yourself an instructor pretty soon - trust me, it will make all the difference in your motivation.

And welcome to the motley crew of pipers!

**James MacMillan** · 19th December 07, 06:50 AM

That's cool.

Now, even though I get the "Do you play the bagpipes?" and "Where are your bagpipes?" question about as often as the other question; and I like bagpipe music, I have never looked into anything technical about the pipes.

The chanter? - that's like the flute part? And you learn how to play that first? -before you purchase a whole set?

**auld argonian** · 19th December 07, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mike S

Err,
A little late on the draw AA, but it reiterates what I wrote above.

Sorry to be repetitious...I really didn't read your post, I just was responding to Mael's initial post to let him know about my own personal experience with that kit. Guess those "Far Eastern" chanters are deservedly notorious!

Best

AA