How Bagpipes are Made

**sorcererdale** · 25th January 09, 02:01 PM

Just the other day I happened to catch a segment on the Discovery Channel, How it is Made. It was about bagpipe making and even if you don't play them, it was really interesting. There was a lot more to them than I imagined. Here is a YouTube video of it -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMj9qocmmoI

DALE.

**Derek Conley** · 25th January 09, 04:03 PM

Wish I caught that on TV!

**ChattanCat** · 25th January 09, 04:36 PM

I really enjoyed the flic. Thanks.

**beloitpiper** · 25th January 09, 07:59 PM

Thanks! that was interesting.

**Sammac** · 25th January 09, 08:08 PM

I watch How It's Made often, but missed that one. Thanks for the link so I could watch it.

**Leprechaun 91** · 25th January 09, 09:35 PM

Makes me wish I had a chanter or at least a penny whistle so I could learn the basics. I am betting that translating the mechanics of keeping the bladder inflated, Drones humming, AND doing the finger work is the true challenge. I rally admire the pipers. I can drink whiskey with aplomb, but my skills end there.

**george7** · 25th January 09, 09:48 PM

Then there's Dunfion... where Henry Murdo takes it to the next level.

**horseshoehank** · 25th January 09, 10:29 PM

as a beginning piper, i can vouch for the complexity of the mechanics...it vexes me daily...too bad I'm not a drinker...that would take less practice...

Chuck

**CDNSushi** · 25th January 09, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by horseshoehank

as a beginning piper, i can vouch for the complexity of the mechanics...it vexes me daily...too bad I'm not a drinker...that would take less practice...

Yes, I can personally attest to the fact that drinking takes hardly any practice at all! The simple mechanics involved in lifting a glass to one's lips are simple enough that just about anyone can master it with only a little practice.

Cheers!

**EagleJCS** · 27th January 09, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Leprechaun-91

Makes me wish I had a chanter or at least a penny whistle so I could learn the basics. I am betting that translating the mechanics of keeping the bladder inflated, Drones humming, AND doing the finger work is the true challenge. I rally admire the pipers. I can drink whiskey with aplomb, but my skills end there.

If you drink enough, you can be an expert piper - at least to your own thinking!

Seriously, piping is a challenge, but if you practice enough, it becomes second nature. It took me about a year to get it all going at once without sounding like I was trying to maul a goose.

BTW, chanters and penny whistles are different beasties - different finger and blowing techniques.