Q:
How hard is it to learn the bagpipes?
Q: How much do you
charge for lessons?
Q: Doesn’t it take
a lot of air to play the pipes?
Q: Are you kidding? I don't believe the pipes are easy to play!
Q: Why should I join The Midland
Highlanders?
Q: How do you learn to play the
pipes?
Q: Are there
different sizes of practice chanters?
Q:
What type of practice chanter should I buy?
Q: What do I have to
buy to learn the pipes then?
Q: How long does it take
to learn the pipes?
Q: How much do bagpipes cost?
Q: I see bagpipes on E-bay for much less, or in a music shop for much less, why
not buy those?
Q: Do the bagpipes have to come from Scotland to be good?
Q: I have no Scots blood in me, do I have to be of Scottish descent to play the
pipes?
Q: What do you wear under your
Kilt?
Q: How hard is it to learn the bagpipes?
A: Not any more difficult than any other instrument, and easier than some.
I am not sure where people get the idea that the bagpipes are hard to play.
Sure, you must practice, (you have to with anything) but they are one of the
easier instruments for someone to get a handle on the basics.
Q: How much do you charge for bagpipe lessons?
A: Nothing, Nada, Zip, Zero, it's free.
Q:
Doesn’t it take a lot of air to play the pipes?
A: No. Many children have learned to play the pipes, some as young as eight
years old. It has a lot to do with the setup of the reeds inside the pipes, and
technique in blowing and squeezing. Not so much as how much air you can put out,
but on how you control the air which you have put in.
Q: Are you kidding? The bagpipes are easy to play? I don't believe it!
A: No, I am not kidding. Really, just think about it for a moment. A
bagpipe can only play nine notes... so there isn't a bunch of key signatures to
memorize, and your fingers only have to remember 9 finger positions.
Embellishments (quick patterned finger movements) are played the same way every
time. You can play the bagpipes, the desire and drive to play matters much
more than ability. REALLY!
Q: Why should I join the
Midland Highlanders?
A: We are a fun, family oriented organization. We don't waste your time
with band politics, we work to make people feel welcomed, and value your
opinions. Our instructors strive to point out what you're doing right
, and not just correct what you are doing wrong. We really
work to be organized and not waste your time while you wait around for practice
to start. We have some of the best musical selections, from traditional
tunes to some real cutting edge choices. Come to practice and see
what we have to offer!
Q: How do you learn to play the pipes?
A: You learn on an instrument called the practice chanter - similar to the
recorder, which
allows you to learn the fingering, and scale of the bagpipe without
having to concentrate on all the other things going on with the big pipes.
From there, you move on the bagpipe and learn to do the blowing and squeezing.
Q: Are there
different sizes of practice chanters?
A: Yes, there are basically 3 common sizes to Practice Chanters
Long - the holes tend to be closer to and
in some cases exactly the same spacing as a bagpipe chanter. The tone
can be a bit richer and as the name describes, the
practice chanter is a bit longer in length; may be a bit more expensive.
Regular or Normal - the holes may be
spaced slightly differently than a bagpipe chanter, however the spacing is
fairly close to the same distance as a bagpipe chanter (depending on the
maker). The picture to the right is a regular sized practice chanter.
Child Sized - Perfect for smaller (6 1/2
to 8 years old) hands, the holes are spaced much closer. The top portion
(mouthpiece) is usually shorter and tend to be a bit higher pitched as well so
they don't quite match with full sized chanters. The big advantage is the
children will be able to hold their hands in a comfortable position, and be
able to do all of the embellishments without having to stretch their fingers
unnaturally far apart. Can be a bit harder to find, but most bagpipe retailers
will carry them.
Q: What type of practice
chanter should I buy?
A: Personally I play Dunbar regular length Delrin (plastic)
practice chanter, and I like it a lot for a couple of reasons; one, it has a
fairly true scale with practice chanter reeds from many different makers, and
two, it comes with a hempless seal- O-rings are used to seal the chanter top to
the chanter bottom so I don't have to re-hemp the chanter occasionally to keep
it air tight. The O-rings have never needed replacing. There
are other types of chanters, some are made of rosewood (can be inferior so be
careful), and some are made of African Blackwood (these can be very
expensive, but are nice), these work fine, but require more care and
aren't as indestructible as the Delrin (plastic) chanters.
Q:
What do I have to buy to learn the pipes then?
A: A practice chanter, ($65-$75).
For a retail outlet check Bob Dunsire’s Bagpipe Directory, or call
Henderson
Imports and they can set you up.
Q: How long does it take to learn the pipes?
A: Well, the true answer is a lifetime, as with any instrument, but you first
learn the scale, then gracenotes (single finger lifts), then start on the
embellishments (finger movement combinations which are played the same way every
time), and then to songs. Everyone is different, but if you
practice daily for at least 15 –30 minutes, you should be playing songs in 3-4
months, and be on you bagpipes with a tune or two in 6 months.
Q:
How much do bagpipes cost?
A: The price depends a lot on how much you wish to spend. If you want to,
you can spend $10,000, and get a gorgeous set of pipes, the envy of every one
who sees them. If you want a good serviceable set of nice looking pipes, plan
to spend $600-$1200.
Q: I see bagpipes on E-bay for much less, or in a music shop for
much less, why not buy those?
A: This is a case of caveat emptor- let the buyer beware. There are many,
many, inferior sets of bagpipes out there, and if you buy one of those, you will
probably spend as much bringing them up to band playing condition as if you had
purchased a good set right off.
Q: Do the bagpipes have to come from Scotland to be of good
quality?
A: No, and while there are good pipe makers in Scotland, there are a great
many pipe makers in North America, who turn out a fine product.
Q: I have no Scots blood in me, do I have to be of Scottish
descent to play the pipes?
A: No, we teach anyone, many people in the band have only the love of the
pipes and highland music in common.
Q: What do you wear under your Kilt?
A: That age old
question has an age old answer…
