Bagpiping anyone?

[AndrewLenzJr]

Aye. Thanks, Jamie. Take a good read, but it'll take a while to get through everything! And keep in mind that my site has testimonials from two former piping Gold Medalists, a former piper to the Queen Mother, etc. I try to be very objective and provide different points of view and reasoning so you can make up your own mind after being informed.

Cheap pakistani practice chanters are almost always more harm than good. An instructor is an excellent idea, teaching yourself is typically cause for alarm!

A lot of the self-taught pipers are the reason why some of the public hates bagpipes!


Andrew

[AlexMDN]

Thanks, guys. I's away from computer for couple of days finishing my first own made kilt, but I done my homework on few web sites dedicated to the piping. So now I'm making informative decision - saying I made my chose on chanter and book, it's just the price that pushed me, but I got outbided anyways. And thnk U, Iain Robb, it's brilliant idea about local bands.

[JerseyLawyer]

I agree with that was said above. Without starting any flame wars about "Pakistani pipes," a cheap practice chanter made from rosewood/crocus/boxwood/etc is not likely to give you a good result. Part of the idea of a practice chanter is to give you an idea of tone, and a bad chanter will never match everyone else (your band or instructor or fellow students) and that's just counterproductive.

I did a bit of an experiment, and entered "practice chanter" on eBay. Out of hundreds of results, I found /two/ that I would buy. Sellers on eBay (and, unfortunately, many non-piping related Scottish and Irish goods stores) are content to pass off on new pipers a completely substandard product - for example, those box sets that come with a rosewood chanter and "instruction booklet." I'm afraid that you do get what you pay for in this, at least to a point.

So, invest the extra in a good chanter that will give you years (decades) of good service. And get a good instructor. And probably a reputable tutor book, though your instructor might have one he wants you to use. Teaching yourself is a recipe for disaster that is likely to only frustrate you and turn you off to the instrument.

Good luck!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Dude... this is real simple...

It really does NOT matter what the preactice chanter is, whether it is Pakistani, Plastic, Cocus, WalMart... or whatever. The REAL variable is the reed!!!!!

I perform with the Uilleanns, the Highlands AND the MacCallum Reel Pipes. Yes I tend to lean towards the quality chanters and pipes for performace, but the "PRACTICE" chanters are just that! They are for practice!

The fingering is the same. The sound is NOT important. You are looking for something to P R A C T I C E with. If you're really concerned with sounding good, then find a well made cane reed. The synthetic ones are indeed louder, but they're also a little "squeaky".

Since you're only P R A C T I C I N G, it really doesn't matter now, does it?

Save your money for the actually performance pipes and be a happy man. If you find that you "blow" at the pipes, there's always the option of the electronic pipes... although I'm not a fan... nor is 99% of the listening public.

[highlander_Daz]

Id disgaree with you slightly there Jimmy, most eastern practice chanters have incorrect hole spacing, which gives the notes incorrect pitching even with a quality reed, even the most proficiant piper will sound bad on a chanter that fails to play in tune, a raw learner wont have the knowledge to tape the holes, I always suggest a quality chanter, with the correct spaecings, that plays in tune, will at least go some way to stopping the fledgling piper getting demoralised, the instrument is a challange, without additional hassles such as miles out of tune notes and random hole spaceings. you can pick a reasonable quality, non eastern practice chanter that will last you throughout your pipeing carrear for less than what it costs to fill an average car with petrol. if you buy cheap you buy twice

[wgority]

I am completely in accord with Daz on this one.

[just4fun63]

+ 1 with Daz
A friend of mine bought those cheap eBay practice chanters and had to buy a second chanter. Now he's happy and improving. the cheap chanter was holding him back.

Try www.Hotpipes.com very good info on practice chanters

Have fun

[JerseyLawyer]

Sorry, Jimmy, but I disagree with you, too. We've cataloged the major fault of cheap practice chanters already, so I won't repeat them, but they aren't good for anyone, let alone the beginning piper.

And are you suggesting a cane practice chanter reed? I don't know if anyone even makes them anymore.

[Chase]

How old is too old? I've always wanted to learn to play, but only recently inherited a set of pipes...I have yet to purchase a chanter, but again, at 49, am I too old?

Chase

[JerseyLawyer]

Chase -

Quite honestly, that depends on what you want. I know plenty of guys who started later in life, and the fingers are never really supple enough to become a great player. But playing in a band for parades or even some competition bands? Sure.

Of course, if you've played another instrument, then that applies less. If you spent your life as a steamfitter on the trans-Siberian railroad without gloves, then it will be quite hard indeed.

It won't come as easy as it might to younger guys, but you'll get there. I think as long as you have respect for the music and the instrument, and try hard to improve, then you'll be just fine.