I have been playing for 5 years now and just played my first games with the Santa Cruz Pipes and Drums. I second the advice about getting the instructor and practice chanter first. I was on the Chanter for a year before starting on just blowing up the pipes and engaging the drones. When you are ready, there are many great choices for pipes and your instructor will provide the best guidance. You will need to choose a reputable pipe maker, followed by decisions relating to the size and type of bag you want to play, types of drone reeds, the chanter and chanter reeds. I play a set of Afrikan Blackwood Hardy Pipes with a Shepherd chanter and medium zippered elk bag. Drone reeds are Kinnaird carbon fiber and the chanter reed is cane Shepherd. I am not implying that this is in any way the "best" setup. (I have also played a set of wood Naill pipes with Silver ferrules that looked stunning and had beautiful steady tone). I am using this to demonstrate the importance of having a knowledgeable person shape your decisions in choosing a set of pipes. Each decision will have advantages and disadvantages and you will be living with your pipes for years to decades. Enjoy the journey. PiperGeorge