I have bagpipes coming my way. I am expecting them to be unplayable, for a country that starts with P, but I only bought them because the come with a kilt and fly plaid in a tartan that I wanted (not so much the fly paid) as a package in a charity auction. In my vain hopes of a long shot that I would get a vintage, African blackwood (ebony?) set of bagpipes, I realized that I did really want to play the pipes, even though I doubt that I will get a playable set. So I decided that what I realistically should do is by a practice chanter.

I did read the sticky, "So You Want To Play The Bagpipes" and found it very helpful. I then did some research which brought up some questions that I thing the rabble could help me with. I did find a chanter that looks to my uneducated eyes like a good deal, but I wanted your feedback. J. Higgins has a house brand chanter that looks to be a good product and is at an attractive, but not dirt cheap price of $50. Is this a good one to start?

Also, it is available in a standard length of 18.5" and a longer length. My inclination is to stick with the standard length for portability, but I want the rabble's input on this. I can buy it in a package with the book "The Highland Bagpipe Tutor part 1 ". Should I get this, or should I buy the recommended "College of Piping Tutor"? Maybe I should buy both? (https://www.jhiggins.net/learn-to-pl...asic-in-stock/). It can also be bought in a deluxe package that contains a carrying case. (https://www.jhiggins.net/learn-to-pl...luxe-in-stock/) This is what I think would be the best deal to get started, provided that the book an chanter are of good quality. Is this false economy? I don't want to amass a bunch of cheap canters for the price I could have bought a good one.

I just met a professional piper, who lives about a block from me. I'm sure he can help me find a tutor. I used to be a pianist, so I can read music and understand that there will be a lot of boring scale practice ahead of me. I look forward to it!

TIA!

Dave