The Bagpipes and the Recorder!!

[Tartan Hiker]

These are two different instruments!!! The myth that if you can play a recorder then you can play a bagpipe is NOT true. This is baisically saying that if you know how to play the kazoo then you can play the trumpet. There are many differences in terms of finger positions, note placements and breath.

With the recorder you sigh into it to produce a note and you can make a note louder by putting more air throught it. With the practice chanter, either you don't have enough air or you have enough. If you don't have enough then a "noise" will come out that truely sounds like something thats about to pay a visit to St. Peter. If you have enough then a good clean note will come out. There is no volume control with the practice chanter, it is at one constant level of volume. Over bowing will result in a head ache and a god awful sound. Over blowing on a recorder will result in a high pitched squeal, shattered windows, and bleeding ears. If you can do this, then your ready for the full set of Bagpipes!

The recorder requires you to use the tips of your fingers to cover the holes on the sound board. The bagpipe requires you to use the pads or the middle of your fingers to cover the holes. This allows you to move from note to note at a much faster pace and a 99% chance of always forming the correct note.

Most Recorders are pieces of crap that are mass produced and sold at incredibly low prices. You get what you pay for, sometimes you'll get lucky and come across a recorder that sounds half way decent and probably can bear the title of "instrument" but 9 times out of 10 you will end up with a piece of plastic that is out of tune and is good at annoying people with high pitched squeals. Practice chanters (the non-**** ones) are tuned and hand crafted by experts who know what they are doing. These are more pricey, but are sure to please as far as pleasing can go with practice chanters.

I'm not saying that recorders are bad instruments, the good ones sound amazing and they are deffinatly a beautiful sounding instrument in the hands of a profesional.

Bottom Line: Recorders and Bagpipes are two defferent instruments. Learning one does not mean you have learned the other.

[MadBagpiper]

Sorry guys, I actually posted this. Dad doesn't know this much! lol

[MadBagpiper]

These are two different instruments!!! The myth that if you can play a recorder then you can play a bagpipe is NOT true. This is baisically saying that if you know how to play the kazoo then you can play the trumpet. There are many differences in terms of finger positions, note placements and breath.

With the recorder you sigh into it to produce a note and you can make a note louder by putting more air throught it. With the practice chanter, either you don't have enough air or you have enough. If you don't have enough then a "noise" will come out that truely sounds like something thats about to pay a visit to St. Peter. If you have enough then a good clean note will come out. There is no volume control with the practice chanter, it is at one constant level of volume. Over bowing will result in a head ache and a god awful sound. Over blowing on a recorder will result in a high pitched squeal, shattered windows, and bleeding ears. If you can do this, then your ready for the full set of Bagpipes!

The recorder requires you to use the tips of your fingers to cover the holes on the sound board. The bagpipe requires you to use the pads or the middle of your fingers to cover the holes. This allows you to move from note to note at a much faster pace and a 99% chance of always forming the correct note.

Most Recorders are pieces of crap that are mass produced and sold at incredibly low prices. You get what you pay for, sometimes you'll get lucky and come across a recorder that sounds half way decent and probably can bear the title of "instrument" but 9 times out of 10 you will end up with a piece of plastic that is out of tune and is good at annoying people with high pitched squeals. Practice chanters (the non-**** ones) are tuned and hand crafted by experts who know what they are doing. These are more pricey, but are sure to please as far as pleasing can go with practice chanters.

I'm not saying that recorders are bad instruments, the good ones sound amazing and they are deffinatly a beautiful sounding instrument in the hands of a profesional.

Bottom Line: Recorders and Bagpipes are two defferent instruments. Learning one does not mean you have learned the other.

all me baby!

[thescot]

Well, you done a good job.

Thanks for the post. We all enjoyed it.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I've been having quite the practice session with my practice chanter tonight. And you are absolutely right. Now, I've never messed with a recorder. But, I did play bassoon and clarinet in school. The chanter is going to be a wild monster. But, I'm already enjoying myself. The idea behind the gracenotes is freaking GENIOUS.

[MadBagpiper]

i know, how long have you been playing?
the entire set up behind bagpipes in general is genious, the air resivour and everything.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Not long. I just started actually.

[MadBagpiper]

cool. if you have any questions just give me a holler.

[BonnieT100]

I just started too - sort of. Had two lessons with two weeks of practice, then headed off to Louisiana for some fun playing war. I've been able to get some sort of practice in almost everyday, but it's definitely not focused practice at a table. It's tough trying to hear the notes when you are leaning on the hood of a humvee with a loud generator going behind you. At least no one complains when I miss the C hole after a grace note. My other option has been to sit cross legged and rest the PC on my knee. Can't really keep time this way, so now my timing is off. I guess the best I can hope for out here is some finger familiarity and an intro to gracenotes. Just sucks wasting 5 weeks when I don't have much time left in the states.

[MadBagpiper]

you can buy an electronic practice chanter that comes with earphones that you can turn up so that you can practice in peace without disturbing any one. I'm not sure if they can drown out a hummer or a generator, but it's still a handy addition to have.

Good Luck.