Bagpipes!

[erkishhorde]

High school mascot was the Highlander and we had a bagpipe team. Nice to listen to when they know what they're doing but practices were rough at the beginning of the year. Then again that can probably be said about any instrument. I think bagpipes are one of the worst instruments when played poorly but are awesome when played well.

[VisceralReaction]

Back in the 70's my uncle really got into our Scottish ancestry. My grandmother emigrated from Scotland on my moms side and my dads side goes way back in Scotland ancestry. Anyway said uncle decided to start learning the pipes, both the highland pipes and lowland pipes. He started the Border Highlanders here in Moscow Idaho. I learned to play as a teenager.
It's tough to learn but once you get it and move from a chanter to actual pipes it's so amazing to hear a dozen of us playing together. Even when playing as a group the hair on my neck stands up. We all played for my Uncles funeral in full dress. it was pretty amazing.

[Timmy Tucker]

I've always dug bagpipes, but having recently discovered my Scottish heritage, I'm really tempted to give 'em a whirl. They can be had pretty cheap, but I imagine the quality can be somewhat suspect. I wonder how hard they would be on a smoker's lungs?

[VisceralReaction]

^ uh no, they arn't cheap.
You can do it on a smokers lungs, I did while I smoke and my uncle did too. Hmm wonder what he died from
at 40? Lung cancer?

[Timmy Tucker]

^ uh no, they arn't cheap.
You can do it on a smokers lungs, I did while I smoke and my uncle did too. Hmm wonder what he died from
at 40? Lung cancer?

I've found some for under $200, but like I said, I'm sure they're a waste of $$. What's a decent set to look for and what can one expect to pay? Also, I assume it's best to start off with a chanter?

[VisceralReaction]

Personally, don't even look at pipes yet, get a chanter and learn to read the music and practice the oddities of
grace notes. Oh and build up your lip muscles! it's funny when you haven't played for a while and
you realize how weak your lips get.
Then when you get to the point of dropping some change on a set of highland pipes.
I would go here http://www.mccallumbagpipes.com/
Pipes will run at a minimum of around $1200 up to around $6000.
the cheap stuff you are looking at is probably plastic, plastic reeds etc, crap sound.
Kinda like a plywood guitar, dead dull sound.

[the_Journeyman]

We had a piper at Folkmoot USA a couple years back.  They had a pipe & piano version of "Dark Island" that was just incredible. 

JM

[mitt]

Last summer I was a pallbearer for a close friend who died at 35 from lung cancer, and he was a firefighter from a firefighter family.  They did the full firefighter ceremony and had a bagpiper in full dress and the 4-5's ceremony.  It was a hard funeral to attend for everyone there and the music and bells made an impression.

[KnightofNi]

love me some pipes. ther's something to be said for the traditional songs, but i prefer things more like this

The Real McKenzies - Pour Decisions

and this

Dropkick Murphys - The Spicy McHaggis Jig

and a few of these

Enter the Haggis - The Mexican Scotsman

and this one jsut because it's hilarious

Enter the Haggis - Ride My Monster

[Scotzman]

^ uh no, they arn't cheap.
You can do it on a smokers lungs, I did while I smoke and my uncle did too. Hmm wonder what he died from
at 40? Lung cancer?

+1. You can get chanters for $80+ and they are a must have to start playing. You can expect to be on a chanter for a while to build stamina and learn music. Mccallums are great. You'd want pipes made of African Black wood, but since this is apparently becoming endangered, I think some makers are trying ebony. As far as smoking, my instructor has emphysema and is a world class piper.

For those who like bagpipes and are not of Scottish decent--don't fret. Several countries have bagpipes and are pretty unique. Spain has a huge Celtic area with some great Spanish bagpipers.

All of The Real McKenzies are pretty good. I sing Loch Lomond to my kids to put them to sleep.