Looking for Chanter and Instruction Books in Toronto

[thescot]

Local pipeband members highly recommend this site: http://www.hotpipes.com/

If nothing else, it's worth the time to read their stuff.

[SteveB]

You may want to contact Dunbar in St. Cats. They have been exceptionally great at answering questions, and their Deluxe blackwood practice chanter with an Abbot reed is an instrument in its own right. it is my favourite practice chanter as the hole spacing is near identical to the chanter on my Shepherd pipes.

If it is not too dear, you may want to ring them up as they may know of instructors in your area.

Slainte

[ohiopiper]

I'll second the suggestion of checking out Oliver Seelers website. lots of reading and a small but good selection of piping stuff.

Being in Toronto, there are bound to be more than a few pipe bands in your area, as piping seems to be even more prominent in Canada than here in the U.S. Face to face contact and instruction will become necessary at some point, the only question is the regularity. Sooner is better to avoid developing bad habits.

I also recommend looking into John Cairns' books, "Bagpipe Solutions". A fellow Canadian, he has written these tutorials to take one from rank beginner to up and running on the pipes. Make no mistake, there are no shortcuts, Cairns goes through six volumes to get one on a et of pipes.

Along with SteveB, I use a Dunbar PC with an Abbott reed. Sounds fine with the usually supplied Walsch, sounds better with an Abbott.

Above all, avoid E-Bay for anything piping related. Far too much junk posing as useable goods. For used equipment, from PC to pipe, check out the forums at Bob Dunsire. Kinda like XMarks for pipers.