Bagpipes
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
Bagpipes
So what do you think? I am thinking about learning to play the pipes. i have always had a musical intrest and have played a few instruments in my time. I bet it is hard as heck to master! But how cool would it be to actually know how to play and play them well?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
That was great, Jon!
I once dated a girl in HS (she went to Anderson-Highland--the "Scots") who was in the pipe corps there. Their marching band went to state that year, so I got to see them play in the then-Hoosier Dome.
Pipes are cool, but you definitely have to be in shape to play them!
Jason
I once dated a girl in HS (she went to Anderson-Highland--the "Scots") who was in the pipe corps there. Their marching band went to state that year, so I got to see them play in the then-Hoosier Dome.
Pipes are cool, but you definitely have to be in shape to play them!
Jason
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Salem, Oregon
Guess I am digging up an old post here. I used to play the pipes in a local street band. Never got real good but could play along with the band with all of the sets. Great instrument! They can take a while to master, a lot depends on your musical ability. Pretty basic instrument. You have 9 notes, no sharps or flats. The drones are hard to keep in tune, you can tune them, set the pipes down for 20 mins then you have to tune them again. I say go for it. There are some good instruction manuals out there. Start with a practice chanter first, you can pick them up pretty cheap. This will get you used to playing the pipes without having the added noise and difficulty of keeping a constant pressure on the bag.
Have fun! Look around for a local band. They will often have someone that will instruct you for free if you want to be part of the band. The group I was in even provided the kilt and the rest of the uniform as well as having a couple sets of loaner pipes around.
Have fun! Look around for a local band. They will often have someone that will instruct you for free if you want to be part of the band. The group I was in even provided the kilt and the rest of the uniform as well as having a couple sets of loaner pipes around.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Southern California
I love the pipes! Did you go for it, guthrie&co?
Medicmike63, the practice chanter... is that something small like a recorder?
Think back to the old days when military units used pipes and drum in their forward advance. Must have had a great psycological effect on their enemies while they waited for the impending attack and had to wait and listen to the wail and scree of the piper's.
Medicmike63, the practice chanter... is that something small like a recorder?
Think back to the old days when military units used pipes and drum in their forward advance. Must have had a great psycological effect on their enemies while they waited for the impending attack and had to wait and listen to the wail and scree of the piper's.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Shouldn't be too hard to learn. Just get your local friendly cat and snuggle him in the crook of your arm, take his tail in your mouth and then bite it. Same effect.(from I hate cats book) Or as once claimed in many movies, I believe The Buccaneer is one, sounds like killing pigs.
But really, I do love the pipes, very haunting sound. If you ever get to see one of the professional bands, like the Queens Highlanders, or Black Guard it will bring tears to your eyes. And the cats too.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
But really, I do love the pipes, very haunting sound. If you ever get to see one of the professional bands, like the Queens Highlanders, or Black Guard it will bring tears to your eyes. And the cats too.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Salem, Oregon
Horsepuller,
It is a lot like a recorder but has a reed similar to an oboe. They have full sized practice chanters that are the same size as the chanter on the pipes. Most are practice chanters are smaller than full size though.
It is a lot like a recorder but has a reed similar to an oboe. They have full sized practice chanters that are the same size as the chanter on the pipes. Most are practice chanters are smaller than full size though.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: North Carolina
I heard that it is a very hard instrument to learn, However there is alot of money to be made playing for funerals. The wife hired one dressed in traditional garb to play for about one hour at her MOMs funeral .The gravesite was on a grassy hill in the mountains in early spring. He was playing as people walked up the hill and the wonderful effect was well worth it. It made the burial service very special and classy.
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
So young Hamish left his wee croft to find work in Edinburgh.
After a couple of weeks, he wrote a home to his mother:
Dear Ma:
Thanks for your letter - I'm doing fine here. Work's gang fine, but going in at 9 when tha day's half done, and coming oot at 5 when there's plenty o' light left - it leaves me with a lot of time on my hands.
I've got a cosy wee flat in one o' them tenament buildings - its nice but the neighbors are awfy weird. The bloke on one side is a wee bit touched, I'm afraid - does nothing all night but bang the walls and take the Laird's name in vain most awfully. And the lass on the ither side - she's awfully bonny, but I fear a litlle simple - she does nothing but cry all the night.
So I have as little to do with these strange folk as possible. I just spend the evening reading the guid Book and playin' me pipes.
After a couple of weeks, he wrote a home to his mother:
Dear Ma:
Thanks for your letter - I'm doing fine here. Work's gang fine, but going in at 9 when tha day's half done, and coming oot at 5 when there's plenty o' light left - it leaves me with a lot of time on my hands.
I've got a cosy wee flat in one o' them tenament buildings - its nice but the neighbors are awfy weird. The bloke on one side is a wee bit touched, I'm afraid - does nothing all night but bang the walls and take the Laird's name in vain most awfully. And the lass on the ither side - she's awfully bonny, but I fear a litlle simple - she does nothing but cry all the night.
So I have as little to do with these strange folk as possible. I just spend the evening reading the guid Book and playin' me pipes.