There's also the "practice goose" which is just a practice chanter with a bag.

I don't think there's any real advantage to it. I played my shuttle pipes for years before I went to the GHB and there was no real advantage to having learned the blow-squeeze routine on an easier instrument first. There was still a big learning curve when transitioning over to the big pipes. The real advantage of a practice goose or small pipe (that you don't use for performance - they are a legitimate and wonderful instrument on their own) is being able to practice longer than your lips would allow with a practice chanter alone.

I'd personally give this one a miss. Unless your instructor wants to integrate it into your lessons. Otherwise, keep the money for the extra reeds you will end up wanting to get. Because the reeds that come with the pipes will probably be the right ones, but you really want to try a different brand...

Yeah.

Not a cheap hobby, but the most satisfying way to make music I know. After all, there's really only two kinds of people in the world. Those of us who love bagpipes and those who throw rocks at us when we play at 3 am.

-Patrick