Bagpipes

**OC Richard** · 9th August 16, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by GrainReaper

I'm blessed with a perfect ear and the ability to play anything I hear on any instrument I've learned to play a scale on.

That's a great place to be, and it puts you miles ahead of the majority of pipers, who can't pick up tunes by ear, but need to see the dots. The Highland pipe's love-fest with sheet music and publishing has always struck me as a bit odd, considering that traditionally pipers and pipe bands don't perform with music in front of them. It's used only for aiding the learning of tunes. In my opinion reliance on sheet music retards learning more than it aids it.

If you came to me for pipe lessons I wouldn't spend one minute worrying about sheet music. We would work on everything by ear.

Originally Posted by GrainReaper

...the pipes...so spendy an instrument.

...a collection of brass instruments, a sax...

Pipes, I think, are less spendy than brass instruments and saxes.

I just bought a fantastic set of bespoke pipes from Dunbar Bagpipes in Canada, cocobolo wood turned to my (slightly odd) specs and mounted in hand-engraved alloy. This set was less than $1,500. I think a bespoke professional-level brass instrument or sax would be much more.

For under $1,000 you can get a cocobolo Dunbar that's as good as any pipe made anywhere on the planet, with the possible exception of Atherton MacDougall copies.

Here's a gorgeous new Dunbar cocobolo bagpipe for $830US. It sounds as good as any pipes old or new, pretty much, and is definitely a professional instrument.

http://www.dunbarbagpipes.com/cart.c...&&cisocode=USD

Here's what around the same money gets you in the sax world, from Woodwind and Brasswind: a cheap Chinese-made instrument

http://www.wwbw.com/Allora-Vienna-Se...-i1534384.wwbw

For a sax equivalent to that Dunbar you have to pay these prices

http://www.wwbw.com/Professional-Alt...axophones.wwbw

Here you can see the beautiful wood and workmanship of my new Dunbars. The hand-engraved alloy mounts were made by David Davidse. (I antiqued them myself.)

They came uber-bright like this, not my cup of tea

**jumary** · 9th August 16, 06:36 PM

I really like the concept of Piper's Dojo/Dojo University, and that might work well for me. I just wish I could find some real reviews of how it works. But I also find the idea of Bagpipe Solutions intriguing.

I subscribed to Piper's Dojo for several month and found it excellent. The have a good staff and a large number of videos you can access to see instructions on tunes and techniques. I believe they also have options to take individual lessons online. This costs a bit more, but I do not know how much.
I recommend you check them out.

**Pegasys** · 10th September 16, 06:34 AM

I was just viewing a FB video posted on our clan group page entitled 'Now please take note. THAT'S how to play the bagpipes!' needless to say it wasn't what I expected and comes way too close to violating the spirit at least of Rule #3 so I wont even post the link here , although if one would search for Jazz in Bayern you might see why I was thinking 'If that person can play that I should be able to play a traditional ? sort of bagpipe ??? . That being said , the type of bagpipe being 'played' ... their term not mine seemed to be whats called a modern version of a 'medieval one drone - one chanter' bagpipe . I guess what struck me was why anyone would use the any bagpipes in that setting or play modern jazz with it . This all came about as I am musing over if I should violate my lifelong rule of 'not having a musical bone in my body' and attempt to get a practice chanter ... I am doing things the last few years that even 5 years ago I would have said was not only impossible but totally out of character for me ... what advice yae or nae say the rabble ???

**jumary** · 10th September 16, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

I was just viewing a FB video posted on our clan group page entitled 'Now please take note. THAT'S how to play the bagpipes!' needless to say it wasn't what I expected and comes way too close to violating the spirit at least of Rule #3 so I wont even post the link here , although if one would search for Jazz in Bayern you might see why I was thinking 'If that person can play that I should be able to play a traditional ? sort of bagpipe ??? . That being said , the type of bagpipe being 'played' ... their term not mine seemed to be whats called a modern version of a 'medieval one drone - one chanter' bagpipe . I guess what struck me was why anyone would use the any bagpipes in that setting or play modern jazz with it . This all came about as I am musing over if I should violate my lifelong rule of 'not having a musical bone in my body' and attempt to get a practice chanter ... I am doing things the last few years that even 5 years ago I would have said was not only impossible but totally out of character for me ... what advice yae or nae say the rabble ???

I started about five years ago, with zero musical experience. I will not attempt to anything about my profiency now, except that I have improved and that I still love it. More than any hobby I have tried, the bagpipes have become my favorite thing to do on my own. It is very easy to get started as you do generally start with a practice chanter. As has been stated before, most will recommend you get an instructor. There are also many great YouTube videos of the best pipers. Listen to them to hear the variety of tunes that are available. Best of luck!

**416 Rigby** · 10th September 16, 09:55 AM

Pegasys, there are many types of bagpipes throughout the world, played in many styles. When most folks say bagpipes, we think of the Great Highland Bagpipe, but Spain, Ireland, middle eastern countries all have their own piping traditions. I think it's really cool. Many of the other types of pipes have more of a range and can play tunes we can't on the GHB.

As to the video you mention, if this is it, I saw it this morning, and I certainly don't see any rule violation. I see an elegantly dressed woman who's passionate about her music, backed by a great band, and she's killin' it. Pipes in jazz, swing, or rock & roll? I say yes, why not?!

https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=8RbVuDuCYMY

I didn't start my piping journey until I was 48. It's never too late if it's something you really want.

**Pegasys** · 10th September 16, 12:29 PM

well then ... I am inclined to give them a go ... so to ebay for a gently used practice chanter ?

**jumary** · 10th September 16, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

well then ... I am inclined to give them a go ... so to ebay for a gently used practice chanter ?

Depending on what you want to spend, they are not vey expensive. A new poly pic is probably less than $100

**Pegasys** · 10th September 16, 01:36 PM

i see them on pipers dojo for around 85 and then theres amazon ... 16 AAR to 40 Roosebeck to 128 Gibson... ??? cheap you buy cheap you get ... recomendations ?

**jumary** · 10th September 16, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

i see them on pipers dojo for around 85 and then theres amazon ... 16 AAR to 40 Roosebeck to 128 Gibson... ??? cheap you buy cheap you get ... recomendations ?

I have been happy with my Gibson Long. You can find a ton of good info at Bobdunsirebagpipeforums.com

**KD Burke** · 11th September 16, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

i see them on pipers dojo for around 85 and then theres amazon ... 16 AAR to 40 Roosebeck to 128 Gibson... ??? cheap you buy cheap you get ... recomendations ?

I'd be very wary of "bargains" in the piping world. Most of the really inexpensive stuff is made in Pakistan. Some of it can be made to play. A lot can't.

No matter how inexpensive it is, if it won't do the job, it's too expensive.

On the other hand, an instrument that will be playing for your great-grandchildren is excellent value at any price.