Join us!
Are you interested in learning to play bagpipes? We welcome new pipers (and drummers)! As discussed below, once you have a chanter, reed, and tutor book (if you desire), then contact us. We hold lessons from 6:00 to 6:30pm at University Place Primary School right before our regular Tuesday evening rehearsals there.
Chanter & Reeds
First, you need a practice chanter and a couple of practice chanter reeds. The practice chanters in “Learn to Play Bagpipes” kits found at neighborhood music stores are not recommended; these are made from inferior wood (rosewood) and cannot stand up to the moisture that builds up in them during practice. (They will fall apart within a few months.) Good quality plastic chanters -- brands like Gibson and MacCallum -- are recommended. Chanters made from African blackwood are excellent, although more expensive. You can purchase a chanter online from a variety of suppliers; try Tartan Thisle, The Piper's Hut, or Henderson's, to name a few.
Tutor Book
A tutor book can be helpful. Some common books are:
Practice
Keep in mind that the amount of time you practice directly impacts how long it takes for you to be playing bagpipes for real. This is a very difficult instrument, so practice, practice, practice!
Chanter & Reeds
First, you need a practice chanter and a couple of practice chanter reeds. The practice chanters in “Learn to Play Bagpipes” kits found at neighborhood music stores are not recommended; these are made from inferior wood (rosewood) and cannot stand up to the moisture that builds up in them during practice. (They will fall apart within a few months.) Good quality plastic chanters -- brands like Gibson and MacCallum -- are recommended. Chanters made from African blackwood are excellent, although more expensive. You can purchase a chanter online from a variety of suppliers; try Tartan Thisle, The Piper's Hut, or Henderson's, to name a few.
Tutor Book
A tutor book can be helpful. Some common books are:
- Logan's Complete Tutor for the Highland Bagpipe
- The College of Piping - Tutor Book 1
- Rhythmic Fingerwork: Instruction in Technique for the Highland Bagpipe -- this is a very good source of practice exercises that you will find help to speed up your fingers really well
Practice
Keep in mind that the amount of time you practice directly impacts how long it takes for you to be playing bagpipes for real. This is a very difficult instrument, so practice, practice, practice!
