I don't want to discourage anyone who really wants to play the pipes, but taking them up as merely a campfire hobby isn't going to work. They require a lot more work to become even remotely proficient than one would think. Although there are "just nine notes", there are many embellishment that are required to play pipe music and tuning must be taught. An untuned bagpipe is an abomination and should be penalized by either thumbscrews or... that's it. Just thumbscrews.

If you're serious about learning, I'll offer any assistance I can by way of the net, recommendations and advice. If you're not serious, do yourself and everyone around you the favor of picking another hobby.

Sorry to sound so "line in the sand" about it, but the bagpipes are not for the casual tinkerer.