Bag Piper what'ta be

**Kevo** · 19th July 08, 10:58 AM

Dear forum junkies, I currently own 2 sets of pipes. One is a set of "half pipes" and a set of Highland pipes made of African black wood, gortex bag. I picked up the pipes back in the early "90's" and had instruction tape and booklet along with a PC. I practiced for months and actually banged on the H-pipes a bit. I ended up getting married (didn't scare her away!!). Well.... I set them down and have not picked them up since "94". I am a proud kilt wearer now and feel the calling of the pipes AGAIN!! I live in the north Houston, TX USA. area and am looking for a Cd or DVD for instruction, even some lessons!! Does anyone have a direction for me to point my nose???

Thanks in advance!!

**JerseyLawyer** · 19th July 08, 02:18 PM

You should get instruction. And you should have no trouble finding it in Houston, which probably has more great pipers per capita than anywhere else in the US thanks to St. Thomas Episcopal churning them out in droves.

Jack Daw is from down there, he can probably give you a few leads.

By half pipes, you mean a goose? A bag, blowstick, and chanter with no drones?

**Jamais Arriere** · 19th July 08, 02:39 PM

I did about the same thing but I put down my pipes at 16 and didn't pick them up again untill las October. I'm 45 years now and I couldn't even read music anymore. I hooked up with the Wake and District Pipes and Drums in Raleigh NC where I live and using the John Cairns instructions I am now a playing member of the band. I recomend the Cairns solutions because it is easy to understand and there are CD's that go along with it.
Here's a link.
http://www.bagpipesolutions.com/

**Nick the DSM** · 19th July 08, 02:44 PM

find a local pipe band, they can help you out.

**Kevo** · 19th July 08, 03:24 PM

Thanks for the quick response guys! Jamais, I've b-marked the site and will look into it. JerseyLawyer, I've been down to St. Thomas back in the beginning and spoke w/ Michael Cousack, the pipe band master. He is the one responsible for this madness!!! LOL My kids are getting older now and freeing more of my time up. I'll look around, maybe call Michael again. Again thanks!!

**Maritime Highlander** · 19th July 08, 05:59 PM

Hi Kevo,

The following weblink will take you to a nice tutor book with an accompanying CD that I used along with lessons. I found it very user-friendly, and I am no musician (at least I wasn't when I started).

http://www.college-of-piping.co.uk/a...tor_Books.html

And if you really want to get serious, you may consider investing in a week-long workshop at the College of Piping here in Prince Edward Island, Canada. They have a great crew of world class instructors, and they teach all levels of bagpiping. Hope this helps! Have fun!

http://www.collegeofpiping.com/

- Peter