Need help with pipes

[WarPreist]

I just love bagpipe music and I want to learn how to play. Do any of y'all pipers know where I can get a good set for a pretty decent price? I plan on spending at least $1,000. The better the pipes, the lesser the price, the better.

Thanks,

Richard.

[sharpdressedscot]

Get a chanter first. between 60-70 bucks. I'm not a piper, but I want to learn.

[JerseyLawyer]

Right. Pipers start learning on the practice chanter, which is much less expensive. There are plenty of threads here discussing what to look for.

As far as good-but-relatively-inexpensive pipes, I had a set of Gillanders & MacLeod that were top notch. J. Higgins sells them. I think they're about $1200 now.

[Macman]

Get a chanter first. between 60-70 bucks. I'm not a piper, but I want to learn.

I agree. I'm pretty new at the pipes, so you can take my advice FWIW, but you should start out with a practice chanter. Get the full set when your instructor says you're ready. I was on the practice chanter for a year before I got pipes. Good luck and have fun learning!

[highlander_Daz]

get a logans tutor book and a decent practice chanter, and knuckle down and start from the beginning, find a decent instructor, most bands will teach you for peanuts as long as you turn out with them now and again,
bands re a good place to buy a decent set os second hand pipes, in fact a lot of bands will loan you a decent set

[PiobBear]

"To the making of a piper goes seven years of his own learning, and seven generations before."

The great Highland bagpipe is rumored to be one of the most difficult instruments to learn to play, and well nigh impossible without instruction from a competent piper. Once you've located a tutor or a band to take you in, check with them to see what tutor book they use. What ever you do, do not under any circumstances get a $15 practice chanter off of EBay. Sometimes you can find a second-hand Naill, McCallum, or Dunbar chanter and some good tutor books, but at best buying anything off of EBay's a gamble.
One of the benefits of learning with a band is hearing the tone of different makes of pipes; when you're ready to buy, you'll be able to make a much more informed decision.

[haukehaien]

I note that the Black Bexar Pipe Band is in your area, and offers instruction "For a nominal membership fee"; there may aslo be other bands. You might check around and see what you can find ...

http://www.blackbexar.com/home.htm

[MacHummel]

i have to agree with everyone buy a good practice chanter, I have a really good Dunbar chanter, I play dunbarpipes and my baby set is set of 1941 Hardy's these are very precious to me.

[kiwipipinghot]

I just love bagpipe music and I want to learn how to play. Do any of y'all pipers know where I can get a good set for a pretty decent price? I plan on spending at least $1,000. The better the pipes, the lesser the price, the better.

Thanks,

Richard.

I started with the National Piping Centres ..The Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book 1. I cant speak volumes enough about it and very easy to follow through and in colour too. Pictures of hand placements and it comes with CD/DVD disc to go with the lessons, a lesson format. The DVD reiterates the correct fingering and hand techniques. You can print off the lessons and write over it if you dont like writing in your new book, but I definately recommend it.
I started in Feb 2006 and by July I was told I was ready to purchase my pipes. After my first intense one week summer school I was able to play with all three drones, with steady blowing. Just my fingers arent as nimble as the young ones but I purchased Jim McGilverys Finger Technique book also with audio CD which has helped me greatly.
Admittedly I have a great natural ability in music and playing by ear (which means I hear my own mistakes ) but do invest in the chanter first before you think about pipes.
There are a great selection of fine pipes out there but I went for McCallums AB4's, as most of our band has them and I like the real bassy tone I get.
Its my terrible wet blowing that I have a challenge with.
It is probably drummed into every piper that the practice chanter is just that..for practicing over and over and over, and you continue doing that pretty much for the rest of your life in piping to learn new exercises and tunes. However take your time and try to find a local teacher or band to join to help get you started.
Good luck and go for it.
Life is Short..Blow Hard

[beloitpiper]

Don't buy pipes yet!!!

Get a chanter. If you still want to play after studying on that for a year, then talk to your instructor about getting a set.