Practise Chanter Advice-- Getting BACK into piping

[Calgacus]

Hi Bren,

Some great advice already from other members, and I can't really add anything more, so just to reinforce what's been said already...

1) Invest in a new PC from a reputable maker. Don't buy anything to do with bagpipes from the same sort of source as you bought your last PC.

2) See, you learned something already :-D The bagpipe scale is unique and wonderful. Although it is currently trendy to mix bagpipes with other instruments, I think it shines as a solo instrument because tuning to any other scale ruins the unique harmonics of the bagpipes.

3) The biggest risk here is to your teeth. If you really get in to playing the pipes, this will damage your teeth over the years. It would also be costly if you bought pipes with a wooden mouthpiece, but Delrin mouthpieces are tough and cheap.

4) Get a teacher! Either in person, or by Skype, I feel a real live tutor is an absolute necessity and I do not believe that it is possible to become a competent player without one. Also listen to lots of solo pipe music recordings by the top players. Immerse yourself in how the bagpipes should sound when played well. Once you can squeeze out a few tunes, record yourself and listen to the recordings. This will help you hear which techniques you need to work on to get closer to emulating all those great pipers you have been listening to!