Hi all, I'm new to the forum and piping as well. I need a bit of expert advice and was hoping someone here could provide it. I have been learning on a long poly practice chanter for about four months now and am looking to step up to the pipes in another month or two. I am really interested in smallpipes, but cannot seem to find anyone who knows much about them. So, here are the questions. First, recommendations? I am planning on playing with a fiddler, guitarist, and flute player. I need something loud enough to be heard with the other instruments and in a pub environment. Some have told me go with a D, but I really like the sound of A. Two, how much different in terms of ease of playing, volume, and overall tone are the SSPs (Gibson, ceilidh/Walsh A2000) and the Gibson Fireside Pipes? And third, I have heard that the A chanters for SSPs are a lot longer. How much longer is it than a long practice chanter?
I appreciate the help.
Answers to some of your questions will largely depend on the maker you purchase from.
Have you considered a combination set that has both an A & D chanter set up? That way you get the best of both worlds.
I doubt you'll notice too much differnce between a long practice chanter and an A chanter but again depends on maker, some people struggle with a D chanter because of the tight finger hole spacing but again depends on the maker and size of your fingers.
I can't comment on Walsh or Gibson pipes but I'm very happy with my pipes from Simon Hope and I prefer them to some sets I've tried from better known makers.
OK, well small pipes are not loud enough in general, I gather the kinnear poly SSP are the loudest , but thats not very loud IMO
D is simply not what you want IMO , A is the chanter that is much more sociable. A mixolydian means you play in Amix, D maj or B Dorien.
There is not much difference in length.
FWIW:
1. I like my Walsh pipes very much,
2.I agree with Spellbreaker that "A" seems to be quite sociable,
3.the choice of delrin and synthetic reeds works in my very variable climate,
and (although I am not much of a piper)
4.I have had more than one person over the years come up to me and say, more or less,
"I thought I hated bagpipes, but these sound nice!"
They are not too loud, not at all shrill, and have a nice friendly tone.
However, if you are going to be playing un-amplified up against more than two other instruments, especially with backers, go with Borders or some such (like session pipes, Ceili pipes, half-longs, etc. - more volume and more "bite", that's the thing).
Even amplified, SSPs may not hold their own well against a bunch of other instruments, IMHO.
I don't play any kind of Scottish bagpipe myself but have played in a lot of sessions with people who do. I'd agree with Rook and Spellbreaker -- A is the best key if you want to play with others. If you have a D chanter, you will end up playing tunes in keys they are not normally played in, which can be awkward in most sessions.
Hello again -
I will add my now usual suggestion: if you posted where you currently reside in your bio or your OP, the members here might be able to offer more precise assistance.
There might be resources you do not know about in your native empire, nation, country, principality, duchy, county, province, state, city, shire, canton, town, village, fire circle, hunting party, or whatever.
With a little more information offered to the wise ones here at the Mustard, I was able to find a great sage within a few days ride from my own hut door.
Thanks folks. I greatly appreciate the advice. Taking Rook's suggestion, I am in St. Louis, Mo, USA. Piping here is fairly limited to GHB players and a few Uillean guys that I have tried getting a hold of, but to no avail. Rook, I have no conception of Border Pipes. Can you give me a bit of info on them. You also mentioned Ceilidh pipes. Are the Gibson Ceilihd models suffiecient? I thought the Gibsons were just another SSP. Thanks again for the info. I love this site so far.
First off, the differences - one tune is usually worth a thousand words. (As in, I can tell you about the mountain, but you'll have to go see it to understand.)
Borders in LOW "D" ( I believe Mr. Swayne might have made these pipes himself, so they would have to be a custom order - lovely low pitch, but I would bet the fingerings are a bit of a spread for small hands.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVZkJmcGfrw
Now listen to the tone and mellowness of SSPs by comparison. Listen for that "snake-charmer" nyah-nyah sound - not there at all with SSPs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR3W3klHIYQ
Scottish smallpipes have a wonderful "toodley-doodley" kind of sound that makes them very listener friendly in the right hands. Borders, with more of a cut and greater volume, can be a bit more controversial n small rooms with large crowds. Much more of an outdoor performing instrument, IMHO.
Border pipes are often, but just to complicate poor SLTpiper's situation, I never ever saw them in the States. Is there anyone in the US who makes them?
A couple of important points. Border pipes are chromatic while small pipes are not -they have a regular Amix scale. Also Borders are a fair bit more demanding to play than small pipes. Rook is right that the Borders have more cut and volume though I would disagree about them being an outdoor instrument. Badly set up borders are too loud but a well set up are comparable to one loudly played fiddle on two standard fiddles. Please don't listen to the nonsense about borders being 5 times louder than a fiddle. Small pipes are great for recording but too quite for a session IMO. Also the timbre means the are difficult to define in a band sound
Don't bother buying them in the US. Splash out and get them from one of the two top makers - Garvie (Nigel Richard) or Hamish Moore. You won't regret it, all the good pipers I know play one of the two, with the exception on one or two players using MacCallums.
I have both Borders and Small pipes so am unbiased and I would say Borders pipes every time - they are just so much more versatile.
Lasdt time i went to the Walsh piping site, they had soundbytes of their pipes in "A", "D", and "B" I think for comparing. I have a different preference for the lower pitch pipes.
(Oh Lord, give me a FLAT SET OF UILLEANNS IN "B"!!)
My point about "outdoor" was only as compared to SSPs, which I still believe to be true. As for the rest, I calculated I would let more scholarly voices get into the differences, which are numerous, between Borders and SSPs. Like you perhaps, although it may depend on the set and, always, the reeds, but I never heard a set of Borders playing at 1=5 fiddles.
Had I the cash in hand, I might want a set of Mr. Moore's Borders - love the sound, and have heard more than one set played by serious pipers. MacCallums, too. I never yet heard a set of the Garvies and knew that was what they were, but no doubt fine pipes, judging by those who choose to play them.
Not to contradict Bogman, whose experience I will sincerely bow to, but you night ask around about Vermonter Michael MacHarg's pipes - I have not heard any complaints from anyone about the instruments, but check out other factors like time on ordering, prices, support, etc. It should not be hard to do, pipers in general I have met were more than willing to steer me right. They might also name some more pipemakers doing fine Borders and SSPs here in the USA. http://www.weepiper.com/
FWIW.
Good Luck Again.
I have 2 H Moore Chanter in A, Border and GHB, and a MacHarg A, thats about a 7/8th of a full size chanter. I am Happiest with the MacHarg so from my limited experience I can certainly recomend his work.
I have a very sweet set of Brian MacKay SSP in A with a Kintail chanter and a MacKLay chanter.Very stable but quite. I use the Border chanter and the MacHarg chanter for my Antique Cocus 7/8th Henderson Reel pipes, they are nicely loud, about a match with a loud set of UP while the SSP are much quieter than my narrow bore set of UP.
For the OP, with 4 months playing PC, I would recomend SSP because they are a lot more forgiving instrument and its possible to get out and play within a relatively short space of time while IMO Borders are a harder beast to 'ride'.
Get the fiddler and guitar players to play gently and you will be grand. A lot cheaper too. Those Kinnear SSP have a good reputation.
"For the OP, with 4 months playing PC, I would recomend SSP because they are a lot more forgiving instrument and its possible to get out and play within a relatively short space of time while IMO Borders are a harder beast to 'ride'."
Yes, thats very true. Easier the keep steady, Borders are chromatic so the slightest crossing noise gives to an semi-tone and the balance up to the high a is very delicate. Though I would say for an experienced piper Borders every time they are a bit of a beast as Spellbreaker says.
And yes Kinnear. I'm A Moore man for smallpipes, I think they're the best but are quiet and need professional amplification. The Kinnears are a lot cheaper and just about loud enough. Here they are played by mike Katz
Okay, another question and forgive me for sounding indecisive. I understand that the GHBs are pitched to somewhere around 465 instead of 440, so what if I simply continued with learning on the PC for GHB? What is involved for the other band members to do in order to sound good. I have seen GHbs played in groups (Battlefield Band especially and of course rock groups). It must be possible, although many folks have told me otherwise. What do you guys think?
Yes, there are bands using standard GHBs, and adapting and retuning to accommodate. It can be a little bit complicated, but not cruelly so.
My primary question to you would be, based on now having more information since your OP, do you have a specific direction in terms of your instrument yet?
Are you thinking in terms of GHBs or not?
A "standard" set or ordering a set for concert work?
Are there any specific pipers whose sound you would wish to emulate?
Have you seriously considered bellows pipes?
Once these points are clearly established, you can move on to getting the right instrument, gathering tutorials and materials, and finding a teacher.
Till then, there is nothing to say "Yea" or "Nay" with doing you time on the practice chanter while you decide what you want next.
STLpiper GHB are pitched to what you tune them to. Often sharp of Bb for solo playing but almost always in concert Bb for playing with other instruments. The many people that told you otherwise are misinformed.
For band playing, it depends on the musicians you play with as to what pitch you want/need your chanter to play at. If the musicians can tune by ear, then they can tune to whatever pitch you pay at, but it seems some folk are so reliant on their tuning devices that they cant! In which case a concert Bb 466 chanter or an A 440 chanter is needed.
I found that older chanters such as Hardy. and Graingers were set up for 466 so thats possibly a cheaper way of getting to this pitch, or one of the modern 'orchestral' chanters also at 466.
Personally I prefer to play down at A 440 so I have a MacLellan , a H Moore and a 7/8th Mac Harg, and my 19th C Henderson can get down to 440 as well though it generally lives around 445-450.
Basically the other musicians tune up to the pipes but to make their life easier 466 or 440 would, IMO be the way to go.
But again, the SSP are much easier and more forgiving than GHB if your keen on getting out and playing in company.
You don't want to be playing in a band with someone who can't tune by ear Spellbreaker, I'm sure you'd agree. And you don't want to play in a band with folk who don't use a tuner either.
Guys, I greatly appreciate all of the advice. I now have a lot to think about, especially in regards to the direction I want to go. I'm sure I'm not the only newbie that looks at the world of piping and thinks, "Man, so many options. I wish I could do it all right now." So, I'll continue practicing on the PC keeping an open mind. Thanks again to all. I'll let you know which way I go when I figure it out.
One nice thing you may discover about bagpipes, whichever style you choose, is that you are taking up an instrument so universally loved and lauded, with such a long and noble history. Also, feeling the respect and appreciation you get from your fellow musicians.
They do seem to put us on some sort of pedestal - nice, but it IS an awful lot to live up to.
Eh, lads?
I made my decision. I am ordering a set of Gibson GHBs (R111 with im. Ivory). I have acquired tution from the nearest pipe band and now have my sights on joining them when the time comes. However, I still want the versatility to play with other instruments in the local bars. My plan is to also buy a Shepherd Orcestral chanter to accomplish a pitch closer to 440hz. What do you guys recommend in regards to drone reeds to get down to the desired pitch? Several have told me Apps tend to be versitile enough, but I would like some more feedback from folks "in the know".
Need some small pipe advice
Need some small pipe advice
Hi all, I'm new to the forum and piping as well. I need a bit of expert advice and was hoping someone here could provide it. I have been learning on a long poly practice chanter for about four months now and am looking to step up to the pipes in another month or two. I am really interested in smallpipes, but cannot seem to find anyone who knows much about them. So, here are the questions. First, recommendations? I am planning on playing with a fiddler, guitarist, and flute player. I need something loud enough to be heard with the other instruments and in a pub environment. Some have told me go with a D, but I really like the sound of A. Two, how much different in terms of ease of playing, volume, and overall tone are the SSPs (Gibson, ceilidh/Walsh A2000) and the Gibson Fireside Pipes? And third, I have heard that the A chanters for SSPs are a lot longer. How much longer is it than a long practice chanter?
I appreciate the help.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by STLpiper
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Answers to some of your questions will largely depend on the maker you purchase from.
Have you considered a combination set that has both an A & D chanter set up? That way you get the best of both worlds.
I doubt you'll notice too much differnce between a long practice chanter and an A chanter but again depends on maker, some people struggle with a D chanter because of the tight finger hole spacing but again depends on the maker and size of your fingers.
I can't comment on Walsh or Gibson pipes but I'm very happy with my pipes from Simon Hope and I prefer them to some sets I've tried from better known makers.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by iain beag
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Anathema to some, I know, but there are several electronic pipes such as these
http://www.mccarthyhighland.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=375
that would enable you to play in various keys using different types of pipes. Might be worth a look?
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by gam
Re: Need some small pipe advice
OK, well small pipes are not loud enough in general, I gather the kinnear poly SSP are the loudest , but thats not very loud IMO
D is simply not what you want IMO , A is the chanter that is much more sociable. A mixolydian means you play in Amix, D maj or B Dorien.
There is not much difference in length.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: Need some small pipe advice
FWIW:
1. I like my Walsh pipes very much,
2.I agree with Spellbreaker that "A" seems to be quite sociable,
3.the choice of delrin and synthetic reeds works in my very variable climate,
and (although I am not much of a piper)
4.I have had more than one person over the years come up to me and say, more or less,
"I thought I hated bagpipes, but these sound nice!"
They are not too loud, not at all shrill, and have a nice friendly tone.
However, if you are going to be playing un-amplified up against more than two other instruments, especially with backers, go with Borders or some such (like session pipes, Ceili pipes, half-longs, etc. - more volume and more "bite", that's the thing).
Even amplified, SSPs may not hold their own well against a bunch of other instruments, IMHO.
Good Luck.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
I don't play any kind of Scottish bagpipe myself but have played in a lot of sessions with people who do. I'd agree with Rook and Spellbreaker -- A is the best key if you want to play with others. If you have a D chanter, you will end up playing tunes in keys they are not normally played in, which can be awkward in most sessions.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Hello again -
I will add my now usual suggestion: if you posted where you currently reside in your bio or your OP, the members here might be able to offer more precise assistance.
There might be resources you do not know about in your native empire, nation, country, principality, duchy, county, province, state, city, shire, canton, town, village, fire circle, hunting party, or whatever.
With a little more information offered to the wise ones here at the Mustard, I was able to find a great sage within a few days ride from my own hut door.
Just a suggestion.
Good Luck again.
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
http://www.piperjones.com/tidycottagesmallpipes.html
# Posted on August 11th 2010 by pipewatcher
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Thanks folks. I greatly appreciate the advice. Taking Rook's suggestion, I am in St. Louis, Mo, USA. Piping here is fairly limited to GHB players and a few Uillean guys that I have tried getting a hold of, but to no avail. Rook, I have no conception of Border Pipes. Can you give me a bit of info on them. You also mentioned Ceilidh pipes. Are the Gibson Ceilihd models suffiecient? I thought the Gibsons were just another SSP. Thanks again for the info. I love this site so far.
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by STLpiper
Re: Need some small pipe advice
First off, the differences - one tune is usually worth a thousand words. (As in, I can tell you about the mountain, but you'll have to go see it to understand.)
Borders in "A": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMKx2vKrxbQ&feature=related
Not bad piping, gives you a bit of what they can do.
and again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uoqw9UGHN4&feature=related
something a bit livelier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehks1uuwR3s&feature=related
Borders in LOW "D" ( I believe Mr. Swayne might have made these pipes himself, so they would have to be a custom order - lovely low pitch, but I would bet the fingerings are a bit of a spread for small hands.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVZkJmcGfrw
Now listen to the tone and mellowness of SSPs by comparison. Listen for that "snake-charmer" nyah-nyah sound - not there at all with SSPs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR3W3klHIYQ
another example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPB8tSdnL6I&feature=related
Scottish smallpipes have a wonderful "toodley-doodley" kind of sound that makes them very listener friendly in the right hands. Borders, with more of a cut and greater volume, can be a bit more controversial n small rooms with large crowds. Much more of an outdoor performing instrument, IMHO.
Want to know more? Go to the real experts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_pipes
http://www.lbps.net/
http://www.lbps.net/society_info/links.htm
The above sources can link you to a wealth of generous folks who, many of them, have forgotten more than I ever thought i knew about the Border pipes.
Now go be a piper,
and never look back.
(There might be drummers following you...)
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Border pipes are often, but just to complicate poor SLTpiper's situation, I never ever saw them in the States. Is there anyone in the US who makes them?
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Need some small pipe advice
*awesome. The typing thing is just not going well.
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Need some small pipe advice
A couple of important points. Border pipes are chromatic while small pipes are not -they have a regular Amix scale. Also Borders are a fair bit more demanding to play than small pipes. Rook is right that the Borders have more cut and volume though I would disagree about them being an outdoor instrument. Badly set up borders are too loud but a well set up are comparable to one loudly played fiddle on two standard fiddles. Please don't listen to the nonsense about borders being 5 times louder than a fiddle. Small pipes are great for recording but too quite for a session IMO. Also the timbre means the are difficult to define in a band sound
Don't bother buying them in the US. Splash out and get them from one of the two top makers - Garvie (Nigel Richard) or Hamish Moore. You won't regret it, all the good pipers I know play one of the two, with the exception on one or two players using MacCallums.
I have both Borders and Small pipes so am unbiased and I would say Borders pipes every time - they are just so much more versatile.
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
A smallpipe in D can be handy to accompany singing.
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by Jack Campin
Re: Need some small pipe advice
That's true Jack, and Allan MacDonald uses a nice c set by Hamish Moore to accompany singing, but tune-wise D SP's are next to useless for sessions.
# Posted on August 12th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Right on, Bogman -
Lasdt time i went to the Walsh piping site, they had soundbytes of their pipes in "A", "D", and "B" I think for comparing. I have a different preference for the lower pitch pipes.
(Oh Lord, give me a FLAT SET OF UILLEANNS IN "B"!!)
My point about "outdoor" was only as compared to SSPs, which I still believe to be true. As for the rest, I calculated I would let more scholarly voices get into the differences, which are numerous, between Borders and SSPs. Like you perhaps, although it may depend on the set and, always, the reeds, but I never heard a set of Borders playing at 1=5 fiddles.
Had I the cash in hand, I might want a set of Mr. Moore's Borders - love the sound, and have heard more than one set played by serious pipers. MacCallums, too. I never yet heard a set of the Garvies and knew that was what they were, but no doubt fine pipes, judging by those who choose to play them.
Not to contradict Bogman, whose experience I will sincerely bow to, but you night ask around about Vermonter Michael MacHarg's pipes - I have not heard any complaints from anyone about the instruments, but check out other factors like time on ordering, prices, support, etc. It should not be hard to do, pipers in general I have met were more than willing to steer me right. They might also name some more pipemakers doing fine Borders and SSPs here in the USA.
http://www.weepiper.com/
FWIW.
Good Luck Again.
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
"Definate" not "different" preference-
I needed to warm up first.
OK - and a 'one' and a "two"...
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
I have 2 H Moore Chanter in A, Border and GHB, and a MacHarg A, thats about a 7/8th of a full size chanter. I am Happiest with the MacHarg so from my limited experience I can certainly recomend his work.
I have a very sweet set of Brian MacKay SSP in A with a Kintail chanter and a MacKLay chanter.Very stable but quite. I use the Border chanter and the MacHarg chanter for my Antique Cocus 7/8th Henderson Reel pipes, they are nicely loud, about a match with a loud set of UP while the SSP are much quieter than my narrow bore set of UP.
For the OP, with 4 months playing PC, I would recomend SSP because they are a lot more forgiving instrument and its possible to get out and play within a relatively short space of time while IMO Borders are a harder beast to 'ride'.
Get the fiddler and guitar players to play gently and you will be grand. A lot cheaper too. Those Kinnear SSP have a good reputation.
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: Need some small pipe advice
"For the OP, with 4 months playing PC, I would recomend SSP because they are a lot more forgiving instrument and its possible to get out and play within a relatively short space of time while IMO Borders are a harder beast to 'ride'."
Yes, thats very true. Easier the keep steady, Borders are chromatic so the slightest crossing noise gives to an semi-tone and the balance up to the high a is very delicate. Though I would say for an experienced piper Borders every time they are a bit of a beast as Spellbreaker says.
And yes Kinnear. I'm A Moore man for smallpipes, I think they're the best but are quiet and need professional amplification. The Kinnears are a lot cheaper and just about loud enough. Here they are played by mike Katz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR3W3klHIYQ
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
"gives you a semi-tone"
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
"Though I would say for an experienced piper Borders every time but they are a bit of a beast for a beginner as Spellbreaker says."
Gad, post session hangover melting my brain this morning
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Right, Spellbreaker -
For the OP practicing on the PC for the GHBs, he should try the SSPs since the IMO Borders may seem a bit FUBAR, which could cause a SNAFU, IMHO.
Mmmm.
# Posted on August 13th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Okay, another question and forgive me for sounding indecisive. I understand that the GHBs are pitched to somewhere around 465 instead of 440, so what if I simply continued with learning on the PC for GHB? What is involved for the other band members to do in order to sound good. I have seen GHbs played in groups (Battlefield Band especially and of course rock groups). It must be possible, although many folks have told me otherwise. What do you guys think?
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by STLpiper
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Yes, there are bands using standard GHBs, and adapting and retuning to accommodate. It can be a little bit complicated, but not cruelly so.
My primary question to you would be, based on now having more information since your OP, do you have a specific direction in terms of your instrument yet?
Are you thinking in terms of GHBs or not?
A "standard" set or ordering a set for concert work?
Are there any specific pipers whose sound you would wish to emulate?
Have you seriously considered bellows pipes?
Once these points are clearly established, you can move on to getting the right instrument, gathering tutorials and materials, and finding a teacher.
Till then, there is nothing to say "Yea" or "Nay" with doing you time on the practice chanter while you decide what you want next.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
STLpiper GHB are pitched to what you tune them to. Often sharp of Bb for solo playing but almost always in concert Bb for playing with other instruments. The many people that told you otherwise are misinformed.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
For band playing, it depends on the musicians you play with as to what pitch you want/need your chanter to play at. If the musicians can tune by ear, then they can tune to whatever pitch you pay at, but it seems some folk are so reliant on their tuning devices that they cant! In which case a concert Bb 466 chanter or an A 440 chanter is needed.
I found that older chanters such as Hardy. and Graingers were set up for 466 so thats possibly a cheaper way of getting to this pitch, or one of the modern 'orchestral' chanters also at 466.
Personally I prefer to play down at A 440 so I have a MacLellan , a H Moore and a 7/8th Mac Harg, and my 19th C Henderson can get down to 440 as well though it generally lives around 445-450.
Basically the other musicians tune up to the pipes but to make their life easier 466 or 440 would, IMO be the way to go.
But again, the SSP are much easier and more forgiving than GHB if your keen on getting out and playing in company.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: Need some small pipe advice
You don't want to be playing in a band with someone who can't tune by ear Spellbreaker, I'm sure you'd agree. And you don't want to play in a band with folk who don't use a tuner either.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by bogman
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Agreed
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by piobagusfidil
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Guys, I greatly appreciate all of the advice. I now have a lot to think about, especially in regards to the direction I want to go. I'm sure I'm not the only newbie that looks at the world of piping and thinks, "Man, so many options. I wish I could do it all right now." So, I'll continue practicing on the PC keeping an open mind. Thanks again to all. I'll let you know which way I go when I figure it out.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by STLpiper
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Best of luck with your path, STL.
One nice thing you may discover about bagpipes, whichever style you choose, is that you are taking up an instrument so universally loved and lauded, with such a long and noble history. Also, feeling the respect and appreciation you get from your fellow musicians.
They do seem to put us on some sort of pedestal - nice, but it IS an awful lot to live up to.
Eh, lads?
Go get 'em.
# Posted on August 15th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
"Also, feeling the respect and appreciation you get from your fellow musicians. "
Pbbbtttttttttt!
# Posted on August 16th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Need some small pipe advice
Why, whatever do you mean, Spear?
Yours sincerely,
# Posted on August 17th 2010 by Piece
Re: Need some small pipe advice
I made my decision. I am ordering a set of Gibson GHBs (R111 with im. Ivory). I have acquired tution from the nearest pipe band and now have my sights on joining them when the time comes. However, I still want the versatility to play with other instruments in the local bars. My plan is to also buy a Shepherd Orcestral chanter to accomplish a pitch closer to 440hz. What do you guys recommend in regards to drone reeds to get down to the desired pitch? Several have told me Apps tend to be versitile enough, but I would like some more feedback from folks "in the know".
# Posted on September 3rd 2010 by STLpiper