Reed question

[Nighthawk]

Perhaps. Just exercise a reasonable degree of caution. As an example, at your initial stages of learning - now's really not the time to be trying to decide which maker of pipes you should purchase.

Of course it's obvious that I'm not in charge and you can do whatever you choose.

Any good piping teacher/performer is gonna have a healthy ego. If he sees you as someone who may circumvent his 'authority' as an instructor, you may feel his wrath, however that may manifest itself. He may even instruct you to cease reading piping related forums. I don't know him.

The hour of practice you're doing daily should be enough to keep you occupied for the time being. The answers to your questions aren't going to evaporate.

steve

Great. I'm going to fit with pipers about as well as I fit everywhere else. Good to know. That runs counter to everything I've ever experienced with teachers. My parents are both teachers, one of my best friend is a martial arts instructor who has recently been promoted to an 8th degree black belt and awarded his own style by the International San Ten Karate Association, and all three of them encourage independant research and thought. Oh well... I'm used to being the square peg trying to fit into the round hole.

[Q-Piper]

And now a note from a Hack Piper.

Follow the guidance from your instructor. He or she has experience and opinions, knows what does and doesn't work. Also a good instructor will adapt to the learning abilities of the student.

For general piping I use a clanrye synthetic reed. they work OK, and if you will be changing environments; hot, cold, dry, moist. it'll be easier overall as they won't be as affected by the environmental conditions. Still There are those who will now reach for the torches and pitchforks for what I just said so that I may be properly piloried.

As for Pipes. When you go to purchase, buy from a reputable source. You can buy thousands of dollars worth of pipes and be a terrible piper or you can buy reasonably cared for used pipes and be a first class beginning piper. It all depends upon the effort you put into practice. There are two pipe manufacturers near where I reside. One produces GHB and the othe Uilien Pipes. Both make a good produce, but it is the piper who brings out the music. The thing to remember is some shops will sell you what you can afford but can not provide service for the tool you've choosen. Reboring if needed is a specialty job.

Cane reeds, and this I will admit, have a sweeter sound, warmer and more pleasant to the ear. But they are either playable or not. Some may be a nightmare to blow in and others will not have a usable life span if too soft.

Learn with the reeds your instructor recommends though and after you've either left his or her tutelage or been ejected, choose the reeds you feel comfortable with and have fun.

Most of the drunks in a bar crowd can't tell the difference between bad and really bad piping. Unless your fingers are like lightning, never hitting the same notes twice.