"I'd suggest you get a full size chanter and hammer the scale grace notes and doublings until you can do them cleanly from every melody note, then you've made a start; it's not like a guitar where you can whack out a tune immediately." I fully agree!

I have two Dunbar practice chanters, a full size and a smaller size (finger spacing) that's pitched the same as the pipes. I use the full-sized one for playing/practice solo, and the smaller size for playing with the band members.

You should be on the chanter for about three years before you actually play the pipes.

I don't play my pipes much anymore, 'cause as said above, it takes over your whole life (14 to 20 hours practice per week). You can't let the pipes collect dust for a year, pick them up and expect to play them as well as before. Your breathing and fingers won't be in shape. If I'm asked to play at a funeral, or at a curling bonspiel, I need a couple of weeks to get in sufficient shape to play; but only a piper could hear that I'm not good. ;) I have a trained ear for musical pitch, and I have good pipes (Dunbar Polypenco) and artificial drone reeds.

Scottish regimental pipers went to school for seven years in order to be a piper.

With all this rabble, I think I'll go have a blow.