Buying a bagpipe

[Thunderbolt]

I echo the advice given here....get an instructor, even if you have to travel several hours once or twice a month, do it.

Other than that, try this;

www.bagpipelessons.com

I know Jori and he's a first-rate instructor and an outstanding piper, one of the best. There's several options he offers. Not as good as seeing an instructor once a week or so, but good enough. Maybe even better than seeing just an "ok" instructor.

Don't get your pipes....yet. Learn on the chanter first, for a whole pile of reasons. Don't get in a hurry, you'll understand why and thank us in the future...trust me.

I play Naill drones and a Naill chanter for solos, and another chanter for band playing. I use Ezee's and I get great feedback on the tone, and a Gannaway bag. Maybe a great setup for solos, maybe not the best for band stuff, but we're not grade 1!

Good luck in your journey!

T.

[Minnow]

I can make a recommendation. Find yourself a set of piper's choice brand kitchen pipes. It's a practice chanter that plugs into a set of small pipes. You can get one from hotpipes with a dunbar chanter or a set with a standard practice chanter from musicians friend.

That's what I started with. I've been taking lessons for 6 months now and I'm just recently been plugging the chanter into the bag. It's a not too expensive instrument. The practice chanter is good and easy to get a clean sound with, the reeds are cheap and readily available.

If you don't want a set of kitchen pipes that's fine, but seriously hold off on the pipes for now. All you'll need for awhile is a good practice chanter.

-Minnow