Got pipes wanna play

[cutefarmergirl]

I recieved bagpipes for a birthday present after years of wanting to play. I know nothing about them other then I want to learn all I can. I am having trouble after I fill the bag with air I have to actually push the bag with both hands in order to make sound come out. I have the drones plugged for the time being. I don't know if it is the reeds causing my heartache or if I am doing something wrong. I will gladly take any advice that anyone is willing to share. Thank You.

[ThreeEightyNine]

I have heard others with similar situations as yours.. Pipe music is learned on a practice chanter whch some folks say is a relative of a recorder BUT not even close (well they both have holes and air is blown threw em) Traditional instruction is for quite a period of time, before you would ever Try the pipes.. Similarly to a trumpet You need to develop the muscles in your face, but differantly. as well as your diaphram..
and of course learning how to properly play not only notes, but combinations that are called Embelishments. as far as the bagpipes Go, tipically you would plug the chanter opening and begin blowing a or maybe two drones, eventually adding the third, the idea being youhave to keep the bag filled while air escapes, but you need to build up your stamina and not take away from your own oxygen intake or you will find youself dizzy , assing out and collpsing potentially... The chanter reed is Wooden and comes in strengths even the easiest isnt going to "just work" it has to be "broken in" and over time and vibration from difficult seemingly impossible to playable to perfect to totally shot and the process again begins Most pipers have several reeds they"are working" into "Playable".. The concept of tuning, care and feeding, hemping tdrones so they dont get loose or allow air to escape, care of the droe reeds and just how tender they really are make it nearly impossible for one to "pick up a set of pipes...and begin playing with no "outside support" I am "fairly" self taught, when I began
I had a roomate who was a year ahead of me playing along with some mutual freind who played or were learning and advanced from my point of view, I was able to jump into a year old band and handle 3/4 of the band book because of y persoanl exposure to the tunes.. but without the support I'd never been able to keep the pipes playing even with written how to guides... If Your truely serious about playing, seek out a Band Local to you and you might eitr sit in with the band as a learner or they may be able to offer a contact of instruction..., I would suggest lookig into getting a Poly Practice chanter and until you know otherwise the College of Piping Tutor book 1 with audio casette becaus ein the beginning its important to hearn what your trying to sound like.. I would further say, I dont know your age or financial situation.. if your a young adult it could be an issue the Practice chanter tutor and tape should be about 100 dollars US... Reeds the PC coes with one chances are in the learning process You will go through one consider getting 2... with the pipes, unless you are very young or older you should learn to break in medium strength reeds, a little tougher But they stay in range longer then the easy ones... there is pleanty more suggestion but limited space...

Do you know, what sort of Bagpipes you have? if so post it here, maybe a price range?
(obviously as a gift this is tough one) Quality pipes are of African Blackwood while "Rosewood" is also used all I have ever heard of rosewood is they are cheep imitations, dont hold tome etc etc.. a fair set of pipes would range from 850- 1200 dollars US and can certainly go higher 3-5,000 and antique sets by certain makers with al Silver or ivory "mounts" (real ivory is illegal to import into the states) a lot higher then that... but like any instrument YOu have your JR high school fiddle and then you have your stratoverious :) there are ways to make the reeds easier but it involves more then i can teach you in a forum, YOU need someone to actually show ou right from WRONG... for now I suggest you begin blowing the drones plugging the chanter, abd tapping a finger over the Bass (the big one) and the middle one concentrate on keeping the sound even... fill the bag, it should take less the squeezing the heck out of it to get a sound , IF You OVER blow tsound will go out as well as underblow ... when sounding the drone it should be constant and consitant --------------- not ___--__--__------------------- when you breath in increase the pressure on the bag and as you exhale into the mouthpiece imagine blowing your arm off the bag rather then stopping pressing with it...Thats a start...there are many shops who sell chanters and tutor books you can try shopping around but pretty much the pice is the same...so, let us know and we'll do our best to help you out

Jim

[Bagpiper]

Hello,

You really need to find an instructor and start with a practice chanter. I would suggest joining a pipeband or get private lessons if possible. Once you can get the basics down on the practice chanter and learn a few tunes then you can start learning how to play the pipes.

I just got back from a week long bagpipe school offered by the National Centre of Piping (http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/). It was a great week filled taught by world class instructors.

They offer year long instruction so you can go schedule a week that suits your plans. If you cannot travel to Scotland or Canada to attend a session for a week, you may find a week long school or weekend workshop within travel distance of your home. The National Piping Centre (http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/) is hold their next workshop in Virginia in July. There are several great summer schools held throughout the U.S.

Good Luck