Gonna learn the pipes...doin' the happy dance!

[Avonlea22]

Yuppers, I'm quite excited, because I just found out that I'm going to be taking a bagpiping class starting next Tuesday!

NC state offers a class (although it's not part of the regular curriculum) for the great Highland Bagpipes. It's offered twice a year, and I just emailed the instructor my intentions to take the class.

Once we're ready to actually play the pipes, I will also be able to borrow pipes from the school, so I don't have to spend heaps of money for a set for some time.

Now, I just need to get a hold of a practice chanter. Do any of the pipers here have any suggestions. I'm looking at spending around $75.00

I'm so excited!!!

[Wompet]

Happy for you, but envious. I got my Master's at Edinboro Univeristy of Pennsylvania, which started offering the pipe minor after I graduated and moved to Texas. Fortunately there are enough pipe bands in the Buffalo-Niagara region that I have a chance again of learning.

Good luck in your studies.

[Southern Breeze]

Congratulations and the best of luck!

[GMan]

I can sense the excitement here. Way to go.

[haukehaien]

First of all, ask your instructor if he or she has a preference as to what type of PC to get. Some instructors prefer that everyone in the class have the same model so that you will be in tune when practicing together.

If the instructor doesn't care, then I would suggest getting a long poly PC from Dunbar, Gibson or John Walsh. Buy poly because you WILL drop the PC at some point, and it's nice to have one that bounces rather than cracks. A long PC is closer to the size/feel of the regular pipe chanter, and makes transitioning a little easier. Dunbar's Millenium 2000 Extra Long is very nice. If that's the route you decide to take, this page can help you find a good place to buy.

Your PC will come with a reed, but you may want to go ahead and buy another to go with it.

Above all, avoid the cocus-wood PCs from Pakistan/India. They don't sound very good, and practicing on them will tend to make it more difficult for you to tune your pipe chanter later on.

How long does the class run? Is it a limited time, or is it ongoing?

Best of luck.

[highlander_Daz]

Id strongly reccomend a full size chanter, and DONT even consider anything from pakistan. good luck !

[Avonlea22]

First of all, ask your instructor if he or she has a preference as to what type of PC to get.

If the instructor doesn't care, then I would suggest getting a long poly PC from Dunbar, Gibson or John Walsh. Dunbar's Millenium 2000 Extra Long is very nice.


How long does the class run? Is it a limited time, or is it ongoing?
.

Thanks for the info. I just got an email back and he's not particular about getting a certain brand, but he did suggest Dunbar, Gibson and a couple of others, like you. I've read a lot of good things about Dunbar's Millenium 2000 extra long, so I'll probably go with that one.

I'm still trying to get the info on how long the class runs. From my understanding, it's an indefinite amount of time. Something along the lines of "the fee is $100 for as long as you participate in either the class or the band..." was in the original e-mail. I can tell the instructor is busy trying to get stuff organized for the first class, so I'm gonna give hime some slack.

[Avonlea22]

checked out the Pipers Hut.

They have the Dunbar Millennium, but it says "No Ferrule No Sole." What does that mean, and is it important to have either? Anywhere else I've looked at the Dunbar's, it never mentioned that.

[highlander_Daz]

"No Ferrule No Sole." the ferrule is normally a metal or ivory ring that goes around the bottom of the top half of the chanter, the sole is an ivory disc that goes on the bottom of the bottom of the chanter (bear in mind the chanter is in 2 pieces) my chanter has neither and it sounds great.

[Avonlea22]

so it sounds like it's for decorative purposes only.

Thanks!