Is It Hard To Learn The Bagpipes? NO! 4 Reasons Why It’s Easier Than You Think.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, I'm going to bust the myth that bagpipes are the hardest instrument to learn!!! Whenever people say to me, "wow, it must be so hard to learn to play the bagpipes," I always say, "Nonsense! Out of half a dozen or more instruments, bagpipes have been by far the easiest to learn!"
Here are 4 reasons why I found it easier to learn the bagpipes, (not including the fact that I learned the bagpipes when I was 9 years old, whereas most of my other instruments I have struggled to learn as an adult).
1. There are only 9 holes, and no extra keys, buttons, or frets.
2. There is only one active (plus 1 note).
3. For the most part, playing the melody focuses on one hand or the other, not both.
3. There is lots of repetition.
What are you waiting for? Go out and buy a bagpipe practice chanter! Find that one your wife and kids gave you as a present. Yes, I'm talking about the chanter that came with that stupid book that was both boring AND hard. (I have never managed to learn an instrument from a "step-by-step" book!!)
I learn best (and have the most fun) learning instruments by starting to play songs. Real tunes ASAP Please!!! That's why in this video I teach you the simple tune "Hot Cross Buns". You'll be able to play C, B, and low A notes. On top of that, you'll have triplets, B strikes, and low A strikes nailed down too!
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Here's the link for my free 3 step method to Get Bagpipe Ready!
bit.ly/3steps2g...
Join my free Facebook group to get more support!
/ getbagpipeready
Skip the boring chanter exercises and start learning fun tunes in my bagpipe learning portal!
bit.ly/get-bagp...
It might be 11pm.
And i might be stoned as fuck.
But goddamn, now i really want to learn how to play the bagpipes.
A Great time to start! As long as you don’t wake up your neighborhood!
Same bro
Yeah dude, you're completely right about wanting to get to playing a song than to learning the scale. Took me a week to learn this Hot Cross Buns... Also a fellow trumpet player... Thanks for not having a boring video that makes me fall asleep.
haha totally! glad you didn’t fall asleep and good on ya for getting a chanter! I see you like all the quiet instruments like me 😂
@@GetBagpipeReady do u tutor ? And do u recommend a tutor
@@ARG-e4y I do virtual lessons 👍 the details are at my site: getbagpipeready.com
This is one of those videos I watch at 3am 😂 I keep hearing the pipes are super difficult and as I was kind of kicked out of music school for a lack of any musical skill at all I never learned anything beyond the recorder 😅 you are the first more motivational person I've seen on this topic in regards to the bagpipes so really considering it now
You've got this!! Happy piping! More videos and inspiration at my site. Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/
I just ordered by first practice chanter. I play other instruments but have always loved the bag pipes. Your video showed me everything I needed to get excited. Thank you!
That’s great! Excited for your piping journey!
Hey, been thinking about trying out the pipes because they're cool. I used to play Clarinet and Bass Clarinet however I later switched to French Horn and the Mellophone. Just wanted to thank you for giving me a little look into the Piper's life.
My pleasure Steeve! And very cool you play the clarinets too! you'll already have nimble fingers for the pipes. A $60-100 practice chanter from a bagpipe supply store (not amazon), is all you need to get started. If you haven't purchased a practice chanter yet, take a look at this video so you know you are buying a good one: th-cam.com/video/yg9Qp5PNGUw/w-d-xo.html
I'm a piper, I really like your approach to teaching. So true, practice, put some simple tunes in the pot, practice more, perfect practice makes perfect execution of embellishments & tunes. Thank you.
So Glad you found my video helpful Bob! Thanks for your great comment! For more videos, feel free to go to my website and click on "Workshops". Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/
Just starting out and yours is the 2nd video I've watched tonight. My pipes arrived today and came with two practice chanters as well. Obviously I don't have everything set up right yet, because my practice chanter requires me to blow very hard and the sound that comes out is a very high pitched tone. I'm going to keep watching and working on it.
No one has good tone straight away but it will come if you stick with it as long as you have a decent Practice chanter....but unfortunately if you purchase a $20 practice chanter, made in Pakistan, from Amazon, it's not any good!
Any Bagpipe supply store online can sell you a Sheppard, Mcallum, RG Hardie, Dunbar, Piper’s Choice or Walsh practice chanter for $100 to $120. All good brands. No need to spend more than that on a practice chanter, especially when there's a set of pipes to save up for!
@GetBagpipeReady thank you! I picked this up used and it's a no name BSO (bagpipe shaped object) but it already got me looking at better equipment.
Almost ordered a Mccallum practice chanter today. The fact that you mentioned that brand without me asking about it gives me a little more confidence in ordering it.
So glad I found this video!
Got my first practice chanter today, went for a long one with twist trap in the hope it'll be beneficial in the long run. To begin with I could barely get a note. Within 55 minutes, thanks to this video (and plenty of pausing and rewinding) I could play the tune with the embellishments (sort of). Not particularly smooth and still plenty of mistakes and the embellishments are slow but a massive step for 55 minutes work! Lobe your teaching smile. Signed up to your 3 steps before my chanter had even arrived and will definitely be going through more of your tutorials. Will try this one again tomorrow and hopefully have it playing more smoothly.
Clearly 30 isn't too old to start!
Thanks! 😊
awesome Luke!!! excel item for your Bagpipe journey 😀 glad this was helpful!
Which practice chanter did you get and from where? Thanks.
You teach bagpipes the way I used to teach German. You want learners to have success early. So in my first lesson I would make sure that students could have a simple conversation. You are right that a practical application (even at the most elementary level) can and should happen even in the first lesson. This is also how Suzuki violin lessons are structured. I have a granddaughter who started Suzuki this year and another who's been doing it for 7 years. That approach works. I play guitar, piano, harmonica, and I've played around with a tenor recorder. I've always wanted to learn to play the bagpipes. I just ordered an R.G. Hardie extended practice chanter and will be making good use of TH-cam for lessons. Thank you for putting this video together.
Wow, thanks so much for complementing my teaching Thomas!! That's very interesting you have used a similar approach with other instruments and in languages too, cool! I am so excited you ordered a chanter (good pick by the way). Your past experience with music will help you out for sure. Here is the link to my TH-cam Channel for when you need more lessons. Happy piping :) th-cam.com/channels/PG89uN_o4oQGjL8sUBBgPw.html
Awesome! I am just learning the chanter (got it last week!) at 59 yrs old!
Great to Hear! So exciting!!! You can check out more videos at my site. Happy piping :) www.getbagpipeready.com/
As someone who is more accustomed to stringed instruments I found this video very helpful in making a different medium of instrument less intimidating especially with something as cool as the bagpipes
I'm glad this was helpful! So often our own intimidation is our biggest barrier!
Wow, just wow thank you, I’ve been self practicing for so long and this practice song you showed help so much with getting more proficient.
Great to hear👍👍 and thanks so much for your comment 😀
happy piping!
I am super happy i found this series of videos for a beginner thinking of learning to play the bagpipes!
Glad to hear it! Can't wait for you to get started :)
I think you've convinced me to get my practice chanter out of retirement! I learned a few tunes many years ago, but realized I had learned them "left handed" and was too disheartened to relearn them all with my hands reversed. No more, I say! I shall pipe once more!
Good for you! It's never too late to give it another go! I know lots of Left-handed pipers, nothing wrong with that!
More beginner piping videos at my site Josh. 😊 workshops.getbagpipeready.com/
This is great to know Thankyou! I play oboe, flute and recorder so was a bit worried I’d get confused, but with one octave plus one, shouldn’t be too tricky to start to slowly get somewhere!
You've Got this Elle! Your music experience will help you in your piping journey. More beginner piping videos at my site. 😊 workshops.getbagpipeready.com/
I came across you by accident and you inspired me to get back into practicing ( been a beginner for 20 odd years ) . I've got a full set as well but had reed problems mainly drone reeds, so got some inexpensive synthetic reeds . still messing about trying to get a nice sound from drones. Anyway, thanks for your encouragement. Take care.
thanks for your wonderful comment Russel! Glad to hear you’re piping again 👍
@@GetBagpipeReady One day ago I managed to get all three drone reeds (a new set of budget synthetic reeds ) to sound properly. Now for the practice.
Congratulations Russell!! That's great when you get a day where it all comes together!!! :)
Russell, Feel free to join my FREE FB group if you'd like to connect with other pipers. Here's the link: facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
Positive Encouraging Energy!Uniform added a great visual .Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! I decided to Dress for success!😁
I'm from the United States and have some Irish blood as well as English. I always wanted to learn the bagpipes I love the sound. Watching you I bought me an R.G. Hardie standard twist trap. I have already learned the finger scale in three days. Now I need to know the scale names G,D, A and so forth. The space between the pinkie finger was a challenge keeping in over the hole. I think R.G. Hardie chanters have a wider space but I want to thank you for doing these videos. I couldn't afford lessons but I feel emboldened to start learning easy songs. God Bless you from the United states! 🙏 🙏 🙏
Awesome to hear your about your progress! I'm so glad the videos have helped you get started. for more beginner bagpiping videos feel free to check out my site. Happy piping 😀workshops.getbagpipeready.com/
I recently found a tutor in my area and i am so excited. Thank you for these videos. Got my practice chanter and since i got more money than brains i also picked up the glencoe electric chanter so i can practice at work :).
Wonderful! For more Beginner Bagpiping videos, feel free to check out my website. Happy piping! bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal
I don't even have pipes or a chanter but I'm thinking about it, and you're a huge motivation to do so!
You're absolutely right, getting into music you're passionate about right away with an instrument is a great key to success. I learned Andy Mckee level of fingerstyle guitar in a little under a year as a kid because I was super passionate about his music and really wanted to play his tunes. Any techniques, scales, etc came later as I took the instrument itself more seriously. Contrast that with me playing violin around the same time very averagely because I was mostly learning boring scales, simple tunes and things that made the instrument feel like a chore. Now, if I wanted to join a professional group or get to competition level then sure, MAYBE I should think about traditional lessons then. But a lot of people just want to have fun and learn.
Glad you are thinking of getting into piping Mathew! More great beginner bagpiping videos at my site. Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/
Thank you for explaining something that is intimidating and making it sound more approachable 👏👏
Glad it was helpful, Stuart! For more Beginner Bagpiping videos, feel free to check out my website. Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/
Love your amazing grace I have been learning the chanter now here in new Zealand for about 2 months and have learnt to play amazing grace watching your videos as learning with the band major have only been doing top and bottom scale but thanks to your veds I have learnt amazing grace witch I played yesterday for my dad as he has stage 4 terminal lung cancer and I wanted to show him that I could play it now before he pass away
Wow Dana! Amazing job learning this tune and playing it for your Dad. That is so meaningful... words can't capture it. So glad you found my channel and your story is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the help. The chanter is going great after 1.5 years. Getting the pipes up and going is a huge challenge for me - but I just found your video of squeezing, i.e., not blowing. Thanks!
Awesome! Glad it was helpful :) Good work sticking with the pipes! Here's the link for my Free FB group if you are interested: facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
Your videos help clarify what I should be doing when I get lost. After eight months from transitioning from the PC, last week I finally felt like things were falling into place. Using a mirror to watch my breathing has helped. Sometimes I forget to squeeze properly.
Still a long journey ahead of me.
So glad to hear you are sticking with the pipes Mark and thanks for the complements! Good idea with using the mirror, I'm sure that will help out other pipers too! Enjoy the journey! If you are on Facebook, you can join my free Get Bagpipe Ready Group. Here's the link: facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
Hey, thanks for posting these great vids. I'm stuck with myself as a teacher, and I'm a guitar player, so I've definitely got my work cut out for me haha I think your videos may help me a lot, however. Thanks again!
Keep on piping on!! For more Beginner Bagpiping videos, feel free to check out my website. Happy piping! bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal
I have 8 key Chanters and a Bagpipe set as though I've never seen before about chanters with 9 holes👍
Yes you are right, Mark! 9 notes, but just 8 holes! sorry for the confusion :)
@@GetBagpipeReady Thanks , I was wondering about that myself
Thank you You have given me the courage to get a chanter and give this a try I can't wait to be able to learn From you thank you very much Hope to tune in soon
Amazing Opal!!! I'm excited for you to start your piping journey :)
enjoy your teaching process.. I've been working on the chanter for about 3 months or so and really have not had to much instruction and time to play. I will check out your links. thankyou
Awesome! Thanks for the comments and I'm so excited you are getting onto the chanter! Let me know if you have any questions 😀
Enjoying your more practical-minded videos. I purchased a longer practice chanter to start (supposedly easier to transition to actual bagpipes?) but I'm finding hand placement difficult, especially the bottom hand. Should I invest in a shorter one instead? Thanks and keep up the great work.
So glad you found my channel and thanks for the comment Hoang Dang!!! A longer chanter is a great idea as YES, it will make the transition easier. Long or short, either way it takes some time for your fingers to find those holes. Stick with it, and bit by bit you'll get there!! 😎
honestly, when it comes to what i used to play, the alto saxophone, it was rather difficult to learn due to all of the bleedin keys.. maintenance on it is an absolute nightmare too. However, it was a fun instrument to learn and the only thing you have to worry about is your lung capacity, keying, making sure your mouth is wet enough and not too dry for the reed and lastly that your neck is up for the strain of the instrument weight. I'm honestly looking forward to learning the bagpipes since I think it has one of the most beautiful sounds when it comes to wind instruments.. (even though my folks think it sounds like a dying cat) Looking forward to playing it on my fiancée's large property in the afternoons after work. ^w^
Thanks for sharing! Each instrument has their personality for sure! The bagpipes are a lot of fun!! 😊
Thanks for your encouragements ! I've got a practice few weeks ago and learn alone. You're right, it's easy, except finding those low *!$ù*$* holes, and blow strong enough to avoid ducks..... ! Making only scales is boring (even if useful !) so, now I'm working "Highland Cathedral", and curiously, my finger find more easily the holes. But I'll test grace notes later, when the main ones will be ok. ;)
Very Exciting! Eventually those ducks will be left behind. Glad you are doing Highland Cathedral! I hope you found my videos on that tune?
When I practice, I don't think of it as playing a tune, but more like a gracenote exercise.
@@tedgarvin587 hello, 8 months later, I can slowly play Highland cathedral with almost all the grace notes ,🤟. Very perfectible but encouraging.
Wow this works so much better for my brain... My fingers are happy.
Wonderful to hear! For more beginner videos check out my site. Happy piping 😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/
Awesome lesson and thank you for sharing your video. 💙💙👍
You are so welcome, Julio. Thanks for watching :)
I love this. I want to learn how to start playing so i can play amazing grace for my dad, he is a firefighter
Perfect, Jonah!! You can get all the lessons for Amazing Grace at my site, Happy piping :)
bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal
Ani IMPOSTER with my name!!! JK, go for it man! Hopefully it will bring tears of joy and appreciation to your dad's eyes.
Thanks so much. I can now do this. Actually feeling a bit emotional, because I didn’t want this to just fall. I can now play cock o’ the north. This journey is more challenging and exciting than playing jazz on the saxophone, for me. I won’t keep writing but just wanted to express thanks as I am now playing
Peter
Wow, so wonderful to hear Peter!!! I'm very excited for you my friend! Keep on piping on! 😀 Also, I'd love for you to leave a review on my website! Here's the link to do so: bit.ly/Get-Bagpipe-Ready-Google-Review
I can't wait to get started lol first instrument and all wish me luck chanter is in the mail hopefully it gets me buy didn't know what to buy lol 😅
awesome Trevor! Glad you are getting into the pipes as your first instrument! For more Beginner Bagpiping videos, feel free to check out my website. Happy piping! bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal
@@GetBagpipeReady alright appreciate your videos I'll have to find. A way to message you all the questions lol
Great! my email is at my site. Here are some ways to get more bagpipe support: www.getbagpipeready.com/bagpipe-sheet-music
Easy? ... I'm with you that tuned and played properly, bagpipes are an iconic instrument that evokes emotion like no other but it took me months to build up the lung power ( I was young at the time) just to play.
Worth it though!!!!!
Gordon Duncan has some really fun tunes. 'high drive' and another that starts with low g. good times!!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts 😀
Aaarrrgh 😂
excellent!!! Leart now for me new: your D fingering. Great!!! Much easier as show in many other lessons doing it with the pinky and others up.
Happy to help! Way to stick with it! Keep on piping on :)
Excellent tutorial!
Thanks Arthur :) Glad you liked it!
Your doing a good job👌🏻
Thanks Andrew! You had some great thoughts that I hope will be helpful for others. 🙏
Looking at this guy and hearing an American accent is like looking at a dog and hearing it meow
😂
@@GetBagpipeReady I was expecting a deep guttural Scottish accent 😂
Thanks for your encouragement, I am day # 2.
You got this, Rob! Here's the link to the workshop if you are interested :) bit.ly/Scotland-The-Brave-Workshop
Hello Alec, I just stumbled up upon this video, and first what I have to tell you is that you are an amazing teacher. I'm saying it as a fellow teacher. Your method of teaching is really extraordinary, so I could really listen to you and learn from you for hours. 👍
I fell in love with the sound of bagpipes when I was just a child. Back then I told myself that some day I'm going to learn to play that amazing instrument. To be honest with you, I still haven't got any bagpipes, but I'd like to know where can I get a set of bagpipes for the beginners? I really am eager to learn.
Thank you very much for the complement! Glad you found my videos! That is neat that you have liked pipes since you were a kid! The first thing you need to start playing the bagpipes is a decent practice chanter $50 to $100. You can buy one online from a bagpipe Supply store I'd recommend staying away from any bagpipes or chanters being sold on amazon. Below is another video where I talk more about getting a practice chanter. Let me know if you have any more questions :) th-cam.com/video/yg9Qp5PNGUw/w-d-xo.html
@@GetBagpipeReady
Wow, thank you so much for your recommendation. You're the best!
So, let's buy a decent practice chanter first and start to practice. Bagpipes will come just on time!
I watched several of your videos and I'm absolutely in love with teaching way. I really mean it. It's much easier to learn something new having fun with it.
That's Great! Yes, having fun is key to sticking with the learning process! You can find all my tune tutorial videos at my website as well: bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal
2:04 It's just as easy to play a diatonic scale on a saxophone as on bagpipes! The extra keys make it easier to play notes outside a C major scale. You can play bagpipe music on a saxophone, but bagpipes don't have enough notes to play saxophone music.
Thanks for sharing 😉
Hello Alec, I have been wanting to learn the pipes for a long time. You have inspired me to take the leap. Looking to get my first chanter and get started on "Hot Cross Buns". Any suggestions on practice chanter size? I am a big man with fat fingers. Again thank you.
That's great Alan! I'm excited for you to start your piping journey. If you are a taller gentleman with bigger hands you will likely find a long chanter feels most comfortable. The hole spacing is the same on short or long chanters so it doesn't really matter... of course there are always personal preferences... you can see other pipers thoughts on this in my free FB group! facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
I feel like a pirate captain would be disappointed with the bagpipes because he loves the high C.
🤣
Hi Alec, I just picked up the bagpipes. It’s pretty fun. I wanted to know why it is important to close the lower holes when you open up the higher holes. Why can’t you just open all the holes when you play high G or high A? Does it affect the sound?
Glad you got a chanter and great question! It may not affect the pitch on the practice chanter but it will affect the pitch on the pipe chanter so its a good habit to get into now.
Thanks, great idea for practicing grace notes (which I’m currently working on). Practice chanter is going well (I’ve been playing woodwinds most of my life) been on it for about 6 weeks now, finding notes consistently, already read sheet music, scale and fingering is going well from memory. Realizing it’s an investment, when should I start thinking about a set of pipes? I realize I’ve got a long way to go, but when should I start familiarizing myself with the mechanics of breathing/squeezing the bag and perhaps using the pipe chanter for practice?
Sounds like you are doing very well! Awesome stuff! Getting your hands on some pipes within the first 2 to 6 months of starting out is a great idea if you have the pocket book for it. Once you have some pipes in your hands being a piper is no longer a pipe dream! :)
@@GetBagpipeReady thanks! I’ve been saving up for this for awhile. I’m really leaning towards a set of Henderson pipes. I figure if I order them next month that will put me well over two months of practice chanter work by the time they get here. This “pipe dream” has been 30 years in the making.
Very exciting! Glad you are getting some pipes :)
Thanks . A huge help with my Digital Blair!
Great to hear! your most welcome Leodhas 😀
Awesome! Thinking about getting a McCallum, but should you get a long chanter or a standard chanter (my hands are a little small, but like not child sized)?
For sure not a child's size as the hole spacing is different than the pipes. As for a short or long - doesn't really matter since the hole spacing is the same... but I'm also short and I prefer the short chanter for comfort. There is more thoughts on this in my Free FB group :) facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
Any recommendations on which practice chanter to pick up? Or, what to look for when shopping for one?
Unfortunately if you purchase a $20 practice chanter, made in Pakistan, from Amazon, it's not any good!
Any Bagpipe supply store online can sell you a Sheppard, Mcallum, RG Hardie, Piper’s Choice or Walsh practice chanter for $100 to $120. All good brands.
@@GetBagpipeReady Thanks! I ended up getting a McCallum, which I'm mostly happy with. (Definitely gets the job done for the amount of skill I currently have haha).
Hi. Just found your channel. Can you recommend a good source for chanters and eventually the whole set of pipes? Thanks
Yes I can! Unfortunately if you purchase a $20 practice chanter, made in Pakistan, from Amazon, it's not any good!
Any Bagpipe supply store online with customer service can sell you a Sheppard, Mcallum, RG Hardie, or Walsh practice chanter for $100 to $120.
Another option is you can get a $50 chanter from my friend Davey, made in the USA! Use the coupon code GETBAGPIPE5 to get 5% off and another 5% will go to the African Blackwood conservation Project! His chanters sound great and are a lot cheaper which helps if you are on a budget or saving up for a set of pipes! He makes great sounding pipes too. Don't for get the coupon!
www.3dprintedbagpipes.com/product-page/long-practice-chanter
So if you plug all the holes a chanter becomes a drone right? I am wondering if 4 practice chanters, a bladder, and a wooden straw would make a decent diy bagpipe.
can't say I've ever tried haha! 😂
What do i need to buy to get started? What are the absolute must haves? I have long fingers & hands, use to play piano as a child.
A practice chanter can be purchased in person or online from a bagpipe supply store for $80-100. Don't buy a $20 one from Amazon! More resources at my site :) www.getbagpipeready.com/
I am learning the tin whistle, native flute and Gaidhlig. I still think I could do it at 73. Where do you get a chanter? Can you get one separate from the rest of the instrument?
absolutely you can!! Unfortunately if you purchase a $20 practice chanter, made in Pakistan, from Amazon, it's not any good!
Any Bagpipe supply store online can sell you a Sheppard, Mcallum, RG Hardie, Dunbar, Piper’s Choice or Walsh practice chanter for $100 to $120. All good brands.
@@GetBagpipeReady Yes Amazon instruments are pretty awful, Thank you so much. I want to play a victory song after Trump gets defeated. Ha Ha
@@GetBagpipeReady Is yours a Gibson? if I get a decent chanter is it only for practice or does it fit on a bagpipe?
I have an RG Hardie practice chanter. Most practice chanters do not inset onto the highland pipes.
I'm Struggling with a death grip on my chanter- Especially the right hand thumb. How tight do you need to hold the chanter? Any tips for strengthening the fingers?
Certainly! This is very common Thomas. It's less about strengthening and more about relaxing the fingers while playing and making sure you have proper hand and wrist positioning which I go over in the free lessons of my Beginner Bagpiping 101 Workshop. Here's the link, happy piping 😀 bit.ly/Beginner-Bagpiping-Workshop
Where can I get a good chanter?
lots of reputable suppliers. if you are in the USA, here is one option for ya www.hendersongroupltd.com/
Hey quick question, I had a set of Dunbars pipes that I played for a while, but I had to stop because my lower back was hurting while playing. Would a set of smaller pipes be better for me considering that I don’t have to put as much air in them? I was thinking a set of naills which have smaller bores
Good question! If the Naills that you are looking at are still a set of highland pipes I don't think the bore size would make any difference for playing effort. You'd need to look into a different kind of pipes altogether to decrease the air demand. Scottish smallpipes or Folkpipes or shuttle pipes would all be good options. They are quieter, smaller, require less air / effort and they have the same fingering as the highland pipes.
Thankyou i want to learn how to play. My dad was in our local pipeband but then he moved and hasnt played for a few years. It has been a recent goal of mine to learn. Is it possible?
For sure! You've got this, Sarah! My free FB group could be a great resource for ya. you can link to it from my site. Happy piping :) www.getbagpipeready.com/
Would being left handed affect one's ability to learn to play this instrument?(like having to mentally reverse where things are located from right handed lessons or having to buy a specifically left handed version of the instrument like one has to for violin ect.)
not at all! I know more than one piper who plays the reverse - left hand bottom and right hand on top with the bag under the right shoulder! You'd use the same chanter and the same set of pipes - it only takes a quick second to switch the bass and tenor drone around, then you'd be set :)
I’m lefty but play pipes righty . Took a little longer to get my birls sounding nice. Which ever you choose, cheers and all the best.
If I may add , if you’re playing in a pipeband it looks better when all pipes are on the left shoulder. Just sayin 😉
I’ve been wanting to learn the pipes for a while, and then I found your channel! This was very helpful!!
Glad I could help, and thanks for your comment, Alex! Very cool your son is getting into the pipes :) My bagpipe practice guide may help you be consistent! You can get it for FREE at my site :) www.getbagpipeready.com/
May I ask how do you record your bagpipes? I got a Blue Yeti for bagpipe lessons through Skype. The mic is very sensitive and so badly distorts the bagpipe sound that it is worse than even laptop mic. Changing settings on mic does not help. Would an audio mixer or interface help to quieten the sounds and make it work really good? Thank you!
I use my phone or a USB mic into my computor. For lessons I use Zoom (with the noise suppression feature turned off) or a program called Forte. I'm guessing what you are describing is likely more an issue with skype than with the mic.
With the help of a sound technician and after hours of trying, we finally succeeded! At first he thought that the decibel range of Blue Yeti was not enough (ca 120db) and we would need a Sennheiser microphone, that was built for drums and could tolerate up to 140db, + had to buy an external sound card. Tried with that and labored, until finally succeeded in Discord to get a perfect bagpipe sound, so that it did not distort the microphone. But then we tried with Blue Yeti also, tuned all the gain and volume down as much as possible by changing various settings and finally succeeded. Heureka! So now we do not need to return the Blue Yeti microphone, it is a good mic and will do the job.
In a way it would have been good when that information had been out in the internet someplace, so that we would not have had to again "invent the bycycle", as the saying goes. But now it is done and we learned a lot!
Here is the summary the professional sound technician wrote of the problem, it would be good to publish it somewhere for others who might have a similar problem:
"If you're using an external or internal microphone with your bagpipes to stream it through Skype, Discord, Messenger or similar, and the sound abruptedly stops, the reason to this might lay within the computer program itself. I do recommend using Discord for such calls as this program has a lot of sound settings, which often are unavailable on e.g. Skype.
What you want to do is to turn of any "automatic" sound settings under "App settings">"Voice & Video". Under "Voice processing" you'll want to turn off Echo Cancellation, "none" on Noise suppression, turn off Advanced Voice Activity, and last, you want to turn off Automatic Gain Control. Now, nothing about the sound should be adjusted automatically, and Discord should not cut the sound. You might need to adjust the gain of your microphone manually, and if there is a physical knob for gain, I would mark where the gain should be while playing, and likewise when you're talking. The gain might need to be higher when speaking than when you're playing."@@GetBagpipeReady
Been toying with the idea for quite sometime...years in fact. Keep coming back to it. Just worried about how hard it would be to actually read the music!! Also would you recommend new or second hand Chanter
Hi Derek! Don’t let that stop you 😉 on piping student of mine was able to learn half a dozen tunes without reading music. A second hand chanter would be just fine so long as it is good quality 👌
@@GetBagpipeReady Thanks for the reply Alec. Looked into a new Chanter and was surprised at the price so may just get a new one and give it a blast. Would love to at some point be able to play Highland Cathedral, Black Bear or my old regimental march Killaloe. Asking a lot but you have to dream lol
Awesome Derek!! It all starts with a dream 👍👍 here is my free Highland Cathedral lesson for complete beginners: m.th-cam.com/video/HVg_bK399TU/w-d-xo.html
I just bought a chanter and am hoping to learn enough to start playing the pipes in a year’s time. I used to play the trumpet and I’ve dabbled with the guitar, ukulele, and piano.
The fingering is tough, but one thing Ive noticed is that if I relax the fingers on my bottom hand just a little, I can feel the holes vibrating.
So cool you come from a multi-instrument background! Check out my site for more resources and Keep on piping on! www.getbagpipeready.com/
Is that a Robertson tie?
Thanks for asking Daniel! It’s actually at Chisholm tartan. But I’m guessing it must be similar to yours!
Tanks, i was learnig a lot with you, but o have some questios... do you helpme?
Glad you are learning Paulo! How can I help you?
@@GetBagpipeReady Tank you for answer me, Im so glad. So, i was buy an old bagpipe of a brasilian friend, and i am working hard to repair that. the first question. wath the corectl note to tune the reed of drones? this bagpipe came with drones of bamboo. and here in Brazil, doesnt parts to buy. and i put the drones to work, i am an old musician of strings, and the bag pipe is an old dream, the second questiom is. wi the bagpipers cover the holes of the chanter? thank you so much, receive a strong brasilian hug.
@@GetBagpipeReady when I talk about covering the holes, I didn't express myself well. and about covering part of the holes with tape
Tape is used, mainly on the top hand to sharpen the pitch. Before resorting to tape, you can try lowering the reed into the chanter bu removing some hemp at the reeds base. This will also sharpen the pitch
Very cool Paulo! Sounds like quite a project. If you are playing solo, I would just try to tune your drones to the Low A on your chanter. This would typically be between 470 and 480 Hz. However, if don't need to be there exactly if you aren't playing with anyone else. If your chanter scale is balanced and your drones are tuned to your chanter you will be good to go!
Is there a good web site to buy a good quality Bagpipe Practice Chanter?
Tonnes of options out there! Here is a good one if you are in the states: www.thepipershut.com/
What would your advice be on starting to learn? Should I find a instructor or mentor before attempting to learn?
Great Question! I think the most important part is to just get started, and keep at it! Just a few minutes everyday. An instructor can be great for motivation and consistency. But don’t let the challenge of finding an instructor stall you out from getting going 😉
@@GetBagpipeReady thanks for the quick response. I appreciate it. I’ve always admired the bagpipes and their history. Thanks for the info
@@Jackpo25 my pleasure!
What are some quality practice chapters you'd recommend for a starter?
RG Hardie, McCallum, or Shepard are all good options! more details in my free get bagpipe ready FB group :) facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready
@@GetBagpipeReady thanks, what do you think of the RG Hardie Twist Trap pipes?
I've heard good things about them :)
I asked my aunt hit me some highland bagpipes for my birthday. I have Scottish on my mom's side and my dad's side the Peterson's and Knox I'm related to John Knox
right on!!! cool Nathan 👍
Can I learn bagpipe by myself? I just don't have a single person in my city, that plays it and my only option is youtube couses and, maybe, online-call lessons.
Of course it's possible to learn the bagpipes but you don't have to do it alone, I've got you covered! Check out my site for more details on my online resources for beginner bagpipers.😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/bagpipeservices
Looks like a blast...
Absolutely Michael! Once you start learning the pipes - the learning is ongoing! That's what keeps it fun :)
I have a recorder, which has 7 holes on top, one on bottom. I have had it 54 years.. 6 years old , 1st grade get chanter...
i want to learn the bagpipes but i don't know what to get to get started. is there a list of stuff I should get?
Awesome 😎 all you need is a decent quality mouth blown practice chanter ($50 to $100) to get started, the normally come with a reed. and you are good to go. here is a link to give ya an idea on price: www.hendersongroupltd.com/product-category/chanters/practice-chanters/
Can you recommend a practice chanter?
Unfortunately if you purchase a $20 practice chanter, made in Pakistan, from Amazon, it's not any good!
Any Bagpipe supply store online can sell you a Sheppard, Mcallum, RG Hardie, Dunbar, Piper’s Choice or Walsh practice chanter for $100 to $120. All good brands.
@@GetBagpipeReady thank you, I always wanted to learn but the instrument seemed so intimidating that I never had hope to learn!
@@RobertKirkpatrick84 You've totally got this!!!
the pipes are easy to play but hard to sound good, i've played in pipe bands all my life, i've seen thousands of people who can play hundreds of tunes on the pipes but it doesn't always sound great. piano for example is hard to play but easy to sound good(hold sustain and just glissando)
Thanks for sharing Joe!
I wanted to play the bagpipes since i was 6 years old. Now i've your video, i want to take the big step. My only problem is that i don't know the name of the 'fluty thing' you've showed. So to ask it short, what is the name of that thing?
Awesome Lucas!! It is called a practice chanter. Pipers start on a practice chanter for a few months before progressing to a set of bagpipes. While bagpipes are expensive, practice chanters are quite low in price, anywhere from $50 - 100 or so. Hope that helps!
GREAT....AND THE TRUTH!!!!
Thanks for tuning in Pedro! Your comments continue to be a great motivation for me to keep posting videos 😉
@@GetBagpipeReady I can tell you same words! Your videos are an important motivation for me and my way on bagpipes. Through my humble channel I reccomend yours continiously!
@@pemacal57 I am honored Pedro! Keep enjoying your bagpipe journey!
@@GetBagpipeReady The honor and pleasure is for me !,,,
you are awsome.u make piping a whole lot eaiser to learn.u,make it fun.thats my key to learning r me.i give u,10 out of 10.
Alex, where are you from?
Thanks for watching Stebaz7! I live near the Rocky Mountains of Alberta in Western Canada 🇨🇦
@@GetBagpipeReady thanks for the content. I’m thinking about learning the bagpipes and this video has given me a little more confidence to do it. Also I lived in Lethbridge for a good portion of my life. Take care
Awesome 👏 you can do it!!!
i don't even have bagpipes, let alone even have any money to afford it and i have an exam tommorow
😅
It's important to learn how to sing in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic language. Wish I can
Amazing!
I drum, play string instruments where you use chords, and the piano. Why not the bag pipe.
Awesome! Your musical background will be a great asset! For more Beginner Bagpiping videos, feel free to check out my website. Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/
“It only has nine holes…”
But I’m used to the Pennywhistle which only has six 😆
Right!! And the chanter has 9 notes, but only 8 holes, sorry I miss spoke!
This video is amazing and I hope it helps little ones to start playing however you can't play the chanter or bagpipes my boy 12 year old born and bread in Scotland could give you lessons. Take your playing to a competition see how good you are haha. But absolutely love your videos weird eh
Thanks for the comment Joseph! That is amazing your boy pipes, I’d love for one of my boys to take up the pipes one day 😀. As for competition, when I was a kid I won Grade 3 solo piping competition across Canada. Before I could try my hand at Grade 2 I got into playing Rugby and had no more time for piping! Tell your son to stick with it! I have no doubt he’ll be able to pipe circles around me. I’m sure the competition is at a very high level in Scotland!
Would Scotch make the bagpipes work better? Asking for a friend.
haha maybe only to the listener :)
Drones are tuned and sound great, but never my Cantor
Corking your drones, and adding moisture to the reed may help, but purchasing an easier reed could be the answer too! This video may help ya out! 😊 "My Number 1 Solution For A Tough Bagpipe Reed! (And What to watch out for)" th-cam.com/video/FM8eQVpE7IM/w-d-xo.html
Get me some highland bagpipe
for sure!
What chanter are you playing.. Where do you get 9 holes. There’s only 8 holes
right you are Gail. 9 notes with 8 holes. 😅
I would like to lraern but cant read music
don’t let that stop you! I couldn’t read music when I started either. start out by listening and playing, the reading music will come 👍👍
That is my problem, also... I definitely would like to learn how to play the bagpipes, or the guitar. My only issue is, I can not read music, at all. As far as I am concerned, music is a foreign language...
@@davidgordon702 Hello David. The chance of bagpipe is to have only 9 notes to learn, and only on G key. It is very easy to learn how to recognize the notes. One can play only with ears, but it's necessary to have plenty of melodies in one's brain... I encourage you to find a music book for beginner. Reading notes help a lot to work an instrument. I'm a totally beginner in pipe, and reading notes helps to memorize my work. Good luck (and my apologize for my english !).
I cant figure it out and dont know what im doing wrong
Thanks for reaching out Liam. Where are ya getting stuck? for more help I'd recommend joining my free FB group: facebook.com/groups/get.embellishments.bagpipe.ready
A lot of articles that say it's bagpipes are very hard to learn, says that it takes On average, a year for someone to learn to play a song on bagpipes. Well, guess what it takes, on average four years for a violin To sound properly. I don't think that bagpipes deserve to be called out as hard to learn.
for sure!! any instrument takes time and repetition :)
I can already sing in the Scottish and Irish Gaelic language and I have a tattoo that says Scotland forever
very impressive!!! 👏
The only way to players be there with the instructor one on one, not a video or nothing have the instructor typical doing it on own or put your fingers here you have to help you have to be with instructor
There's more than one way to play a cat! 😅
Easy...well...not sure about that. I have been a piper for 12 years and it is always a challenge...I guess if you play happy birthday or amazing grace for the whole time, it is easy, but if you want to play a 12 minute piobaireachd it takes years
Good point Bill! I've been piping for over 25 years and I'm still learning. That's what keeps it fun! 😀
So far for me, the hardest part about learning bagpipes is spending the cash on a decent set, lol
haha! That's especially hard if you are Scottish :)
Ya it only takes about 10,000 hours of your spare time !
Yes John... or does it only take buying a chanter and choosing to commit to practicing for the next 2 minutes??? No marathon is completed without taking thi first single step which so happens to be enormously easy 😉
« … and it is tough to find those holes, especially as a beginner »
Things you can only say in piping and sex ed
It is very funny to me when TH-cam removes honest bagpipe questions and comments because it is flagged as "inappropriate content" haha!
Quite honestly, you can compare bagpipes to recorders
😅
Holes!
Right!
*ONE A PENNY TWO A PENNY HOOOTTT CROSSS BUNNNs*
Exactly!! More fun videos for beginner bagpipers at my site, feel free to check it out 😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/
I mean I can sing the Scottish and Irish music language
Amazing!