Pipes for late Xmas gift

[haukehaien]

I think there should be a sticky somewhere about learning pipes, because it's getting tiring to repeat this over and over.

Seconded. This question comes up all the time, so clearly it would be useful to have a sticky for it.

As far as the chanter goes, ask your instructor what type he if he's got no preference, then Dunbar, Gibson or Walsh long poly chanters are good; poly because it will survive better, long because it makes it easier to transition tunes to the pipes.

I know several talented pipers and all of them still have their chanters. They're dead useful to practice on, because they're easier to carry around, there's less going on with them and they're quieter (believe me, that's important when you're making your first squeaks). Let other more qualified members weigh in, but I'd say to just start with the chanter.

The chanter isn't like training wheels; that is, it's not something you use for a while and then put away. It IS the first step on learning the pipes, but you'll continue to use it throughout your piping lifetime. In general, when you learn a new tune, you learn it first on the chanter, and then, when it's solid, transition it to the pipes. I would be very suspicious of any piper who claims not to own or use a PC; that's why it's a good idea to spend some money and buy a good one when you start out.

Good luck!