The Bagpipes and the Recorder!!

[wgority]

I know there is no bag, do you just blow on a chanter or is there a reed?

I am in highschool, where might I be able to get a practice Chanter that I can afford?

What Cleff of music does the bagpipe use? I am fluent in Bass Cleff, can get by in Treble Cleff and absolutely hate Tenor Cleff, (but can manage)

Okay Casey, let me answer your questions in order of asking.

1. The practice chanter does have a reed. Parenthetically, you'll find the practice chanter is generally harder to blow than the pipes themselves. I've been playing them 25 years and still find this to be the case.

2. High quality pracetice chanters can be had for under $100. In that range I recommend Gibson Bagpipes' Long Poly Practice Chanter. I would recommend spending about twice that amount and getting a Walsh Long Blackwood Practice Chanter. That is an instrument that will last your entire lifetime. I believe either of these can be had from www.toneczar.com

In any case, no matter what you choose, get a long chanter. They provide better tone and tuning, more accurately approximate the finger spacing of the pipe chanter.

3. Pipe music is written on the treble clef.

Remember.....there are only 9 notes (although they get combined in rather interesting and strange ways).

As mentioned above, seek out a pipe band in your area, and I'm pretty durn sure there are a couple in your area. They can provide you with good instruction at a reasonable rate (usually free). I'm moderately sure the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band practices in Brook Park, Ohio. Check them out and see what mutual good you can do each other.

Hope this helps.
Bill