My 4 year old wants to play the bagpipes

[Nervous Jock]

Whats the best way forward? My thoughts are to get him a chanter, let him make a noise and if he likes it look at some involment in a band?

[Rex_Tremende]

Oh, my. Well, I'd be nervous too!


R.

[beloitpiper]

Buy him a chanter and get him lessons. He may like to make noise on the thing (if he can), but he won't know if he really wants to play the pipes until he meets his first instructor.

[Macman]

Good for him! I wish I'd started when I was younger.

[EagleJCS]

I'd first investigate if there were a local instructor willing to teach a four year old. (In Edinburgh, probably not as difficult as in the States).

Then I 'd look into finding a practice chanter scaled to his fingers. (Again, probably not as difficult in Edinburgh, unless you're talking about Edinburgh, Indiana). A four year old's hands are just not big enough to cover all of the holes on a regular sized chanter, even a short one (I've met some women who have difficulty when doing some of the embellishments, like birls). Following that, earplugs - for both of you - and aspirin (or a good single malt) for you.

Best of luck to you both!

[Kilted Jeeper]

My 5 year old has also expressed interest and I discussed with my instructor. He said he nor the other instructors he knows would recommend starting until they were 8-9 years old.

[castledangerous]

I've heard in Ireland that they start young, aspiring uilleann pipers on the penny whistle to get the fingers in shape, as it were. Less of a stretch required...

[Andy HPADC]

Strangely, I just got my 4 year old (5 tomorrow) bagpipes. It has drones and all for $55.00, but is cheap packi crap. The reed and chanter was crap. I replaced it with an old better **** chanter. I'll try to refind the link.

I should have game him my "Practice Bagpipes".. which I no longer have a use for:

http://www.kilberry.com/kilberry2_28.html


Also:

http://www.susato.com/bagpipes.html

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Musical...pes_small.html

[Downix]

My son is interested, so I'd bought him a penny whistle. Evenings after he goes to bed are a... loud proposition now.

[cajuncelt]

I agree with by the chanter but get him lessons. Do not be tempted to buy him pipes right now no matter what anyone says.