self-taught pipes?

[The Ulsterman]

They didn't have sheet music for thousands of years so I figure it's natural to play by ear.

That is so true, but why do you think the Scots were always in a bad mood, and wanting a fight?

I would certainly advise a tutor, .....the bagpipes played well, can outclass any Stradivarius,
but played badly, and your life is in danger!!!!

As has been said earlier in this thread, a tutor, (and a good tutor at that), can teach you things a book can never teach.
But which ever way you decide, start on a practice chanter.
My brother was a fantastic piper, ( all Ireland champion 1979) and he played for an eternity on the chanter, before even lifting the pipes.

But,................if you REALLY want to get them up and going,...GO FOR IT!!!
Neil.

[Ayin McFye]

After reading the article and hearing everyone else responses I would like to change my vote. I do love self teaching, however one point made in the article said "Remember that you are representing a bagpiper community". With that in mind I think the only way is to do it properly.

It's not like playing guitar or whatever. If you are a self taught guitarist and you go out and play, other guitarist don't say "Oh look at him, he's doing horrible, he's giving guitarists a band name".

Should I go out and pick up a chanter, which I most likely will here soon, I will get an instructor. I have been convinced.

[JS Sanders]

Good man.

Go forth and make us proud to call you a brother piper.

Slainte,
steve

[Jack Daw]

...or, else. ;)

[haukehaien]

...or, else. ;)

Shhhhhhh ... you *know* it's forbidden to mention the Secret Piping Cabal until he's actually started playing ...

[sharpdressedscot]

OK, I've got the chanter and the book, I took lessons yesterday. It's basically free, I just had to pay for chanter and book. They basically gave me a trial time for week, if I like it I'll pay for it and if I don't , I can just give it back, no harm done.

It's just getting there that might be a bit of hassle.

[Jack Daw]

Excellent! You'll learn faster with less frustration.

[sharpdressedscot]

Yeah, right now I'm just working on fingering the dang thing. I'm used to trumpet and guitar, wear you curve the fingers!

[tomcherv]

Yeah, right now I'm just working on fingering the dang thing. I'm used to trumpet and guitar, wear you curve the fingers!

The straight vs curved fingers is what got me a bit as I was starting to learn. Alas, life became more hectic with a new baby boy in the house, and something had to go. Since we really wanted to keep the baby (who's now 12 and has a 7 year old brother), piping lessons had to drop by the wayside.

Like you, I also play trumpet and guitar (and piano, organ, recorder, and saxophone), so curved fingers is a normal position.

I recently pulled my chanter and instruction books out again. I did have about 6 months of lessons, so I'm not getting back into it totally blind. Pipes is really one of the next instruments I want to learn.

[Jack Daw]

Straight finger, yes...until the A BIRL! I learned the tap-and-sweep method; so, to practice I tied the other fingers to a block of wood. ENJOY!