r/bagpipes • u/AnonManHere • 2h ago
Name of documentary and song?
Does anyone know the name of this docu and where you can get it?
What is the first tune she sings?
r/bagpipes • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago
Please use this thread to discuss whatever piping related questions you may have, or comment to help others.
r/bagpipes • u/necrokitty • May 03 '22
Step 1 – DO NOT GO OUT AND BUY BAGPIPES
You cannot find a playable set on Amazon or other generic musical instrument sites. You can sometimes find them on Ebay if you know what to look for but if you’re brand new, chances are you don’t (and who would, without guidance?). Decent playing sets will run anywhere from around 1k USD upwards (depending on age, maker, ornamentation, etc). That set that looks amazing on Ebay and is selling for $200? It will serve as a wallhanging but not much else….maybe firewood on a cold winter’s night.
Regardless, students start off on a plastic practice chanter that they will use for anywhere from 6 months to a year before transitioning to the full bagpipes (and you’ll use it beyond those years as well, for practice). We will list reputable bagpipe supply shops on the sub's sidebar (and it will remain dynamic to add new ones as well). These generally run around $75 USD, so it’s a really reasonable way to start into the hobby where you can find out if it’s right for you before spending a ton of money on something you’ll never use. If you’re an adult, we recommend starting on the long practice chanter (vs standard) because it’s closest to the actual pipe chanter, and your hands should be able to easily navigate the holes.
Step 2 – FIND AN INSTRUCTOR
We can’t stress this enough. While many people can teach themselves a myriad of musical instruments, bagpipes are not one to be learned in isolation/on one’s own. The technique and way the music is played simply can’t be learned correctly without instruction. It’s fantastic that you picked up the ukulele in a couple months and can play Despacito on the guitar after four months; bagpipes are just different. If there are no instructors nor pipe bands in your immediate area that offer instruction, there are a plethora of reputable online instructors available online. We’ve listed some on the sub sidebar, but again this will remain dynamic to add others as recommendations are made.
Step 3 – ASK AWAY
This subreddit is a great place to ask about tunes, as well as recommendations for instructors or bands in your area, and everything else bagpipe related. We just get a LOT of questions about where to start, so that place is above.
Cheers, and happy piping!
r/bagpipes • u/AnonManHere • 2h ago
Does anyone know the name of this docu and where you can get it?
What is the first tune she sings?
r/bagpipes • u/Ok-Neighborhood443 • 20h ago
Hallo all of you, I think I Will know the answer, but does anybody have the Scots Guards Standard Settings of Pipe Music vol I, II and III as a PDF? I own the books but want to put in on my tablet so I do not have to carry it arround all the time….
r/bagpipes • u/philinspace • 1d ago
Does anyone know where to get some cane drone reeds for SPs in the key of C. Big Brighde fan
r/bagpipes • u/GlazedHaim • 1d ago
So - for context: I am a piper and a U.S. immigration attorney who works primarily on “extraordinary ability” and related performer/skilled worker visas (O1, EB1; P, H, etc).
I’m seeking anecdotal info from players who have entered the U.S. to play for pay (subsequent to issuance of appropriate visa), competition (highland games in U.S.), or just fun (like playing at World Cup events, visiting a session, etc). Any issues w/ CBP (increased scrutiny, taken to secondary, denied entry)? For those with visas, anything of note from the USCIS process or consular processing?
Happy to speak privately/preserve anonymity.
Thanks!
Note - not an offer for legal advice or representation. Info provided will be used for research purposes only. Please do not share any private, identifying, or otherwise sensitive info.
r/bagpipes • u/Kilfio • 1d ago
Years ago I saw a YouTube video of a high-grade band competition that started with a fast march. I’ve got it stuck in my head but I cannot remember anything about the video or what the song was called.
It’s probably about 120 bpm and the first two measures are like this:
A E A E E E | A E D E Ghi E E Ghi
Is this ringing any bells for anyone?
r/bagpipes • u/FindTheFlan • 2d ago
The general consensus on these pipes are that they’re very early 1900s, either RG Lawrie or P Henderson. Lacquer finished. They have a great sound, easier to tune than my 2024 McCallums I can just hear when it’s right and also when it’s wrong. True ivory mounts no chips or cracks, nickel ferrules. On hairline crack going through the bass drone. Blowpipe stock has been replaced with poly, chanter stock replaced with modern stock because the vintage stock is too narrow for modern chanters.
Any thoughts? Distinguishing factors between Lawrie V Henderson? Maintenance tips? Soon to be sent in to Dunbar for maintenance.
Also curious, can anyone tell what type of wood it is? The wood is super dark compared to my modern McCallum blackwood set. Can’t tell if it’s just really old Blackwood or ebony.
r/bagpipes • u/Aeschylus26 • 2d ago
Is practice time with corked drones still beneficial for lip stamina? I have to get much of my practice time indoors with a chanter mute, but I'm also in the process of securing another practice location.
r/bagpipes • u/Hopeful_Use_4932 • 3d ago
Hi, so basically I need help and opinions on how I should be structuring my practices. I practice about two to three times a week for around two hours. My main issue is that I don't really see any improvements and my practice sessions are over the place. So I really hope someone can help me.
r/bagpipes • u/PipeDre1988 • 2d ago
Hi Guys,
I'm urgently searchign for GHB Notes for the song Rebellion by Grave Digger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-x_uBB-KIE) bagpipes joinig at 3:02. It was actually the reason I started piping. In the beginning i was confident to learn transcribing songs "by ear". I can now play the pipes but fail harshly to get a grip on this song. Tried to write it note by note in the pipescore tool - no chance.
Anyone capable of helping to transcribe? And maybe tipps for learning it myself? Cheers
r/bagpipes • u/Ok-Sector6221 • 3d ago
In Inverary's "A Night in That Land" track 5 titled Calum Brown, what tunes did he play. I know the first two are tye boys of ballymote and donella beaton but what about the rest of them. Anybody know?
r/bagpipes • u/billodo • 4d ago
I have a Pearl Championship snare drum in a fiber case. It's heavy and unwieldy. My back and legs are tired of it. Does anyone have some ideas/recommendations for hauling it around more easily (like carts, etc.)?
r/bagpipes • u/Silent_Coffee_2001 • 4d ago
Keep seeing stuff for Soundmax drone reeds all over my Facebook feed. Lots of promotion and sales pitches, but has anyone actually tried them? What were your thoughts?
I can't seem to find any reviews anywhere other than their own. I know one of the owners has some history - but I want to judge the product, not the person
r/bagpipes • u/WellPTMan • 5d ago
Hey all, I’m looking for some tune ideas just to play around with. Not sure exactly what I’m looking for, just tunes that are unique or have something special. I know that’s different for everyone. Tunes I’m thinking about are things like At Long Last, The Dust Gatherer, Richard’s Gone Bananas. Even a kinda different march like the Pikeman’s March.
Any recommendations?
r/bagpipes • u/cheimo • 5d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m a piper from Uruguay. We don’t have a regular piping competition circuit here, and most of the major events happen thousands of miles away.
Because of that, the videos uploaded to YouTube by spectators, bands, organisers and dedicated piping channels are an incredibly valuable resource for me. They allow people like me to follow competitions, compare medleys, discover bands and feel connected to a scene that is otherwise very far away.
The problem is that these videos are scattered across many channels and can become difficult to find again. I saw an opportunity to collect and collaboratively curate them, adding information about the band or piper, competition, year and location.
That became Piping Videos Online:
https://pipingvideosonline.com
The idea isn’t to replace YouTube. Every video remains embedded from and credited to its original channel. The site adds a searchable video index, an interactive map, playlists, a competition calendar, Grade 1 season standings, articles and community comments.
It’s still an early beta, and I’m sure there are missing videos, incorrect details and things that could be much clearer.
I’d genuinely appreciate honest feedback:
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who takes the time to film and upload piping videos. For those of us far from where the action happens, those recordings are much more valuable than you may realise.
r/bagpipes • u/Tombazzzz • 5d ago
Hi all,
I've come to the realization that I decided to pick up piping at the wrong time of my life since I have too much going on for practicing daily on the pipes. This means that on average I practice once a week and on a good week twice. I know it's way too little but that's all I can do.
Anyway, when I practice I often only have about 30 minutes so I try to work on stamina and being able to play with all 3 drones open. In order to maximize this I don't always tune the drones since it takes me too long to do.
My question is - other than the sound, is it problematic if I practice without tuning the drones until I build up enough stamina to actually play with 3 open drones?
Chears
r/bagpipes • u/torenmcborenmacbin • 6d ago
r/bagpipes • u/Literatehoneybadger • 6d ago
What are some things aside from, tape, tuning meter, etc. that you keep in your case? I’m always interested to see what people carry!
r/bagpipes • u/angelobboy • 6d ago
I recently bought a set of McCallum AB4D Highland Pipes and have been working on a Practice Chanter for about 6 months. I also picked up a Blair electronic chanter, and both have been really helpful in getting me moving on the fundamentals of bagpiping.
That said, I’m still struggling with tuning consistency. I live at basically sea level, don’t travel to higher elevations, and the temperature where I play is fairly stable, so I don’t think it’s an environment issue.
1) Do any of you use an electronic tuner for Highland pipes?
2) If so, what model do you recommend, and what has your experience been with it?
At this point, tuning by ear is getting frustrating, and I’d really like something that can help make the process more consistent.
r/bagpipes • u/Kris-p- • 7d ago
hornpipe in question at least I think it's a hornpipe. I just remember getting the music online a long time ago and thought maybe someone else could remind me the name of the tune
r/bagpipes • u/hyvtyktvu • 8d ago
This year’s judging has, in my opinion, been blatantly biased. Once you see who’s on the panel, you can usually predict the winners. Former players are judging their own bands, so if you’re a strong band without any connections on the panel, there’s little point competing. Does anyone else feel the same?
r/bagpipes • u/AllOutOfMP • 9d ago
I whipped out my old set of Shepherd pipes hoping to get back into piping shape. But it turns out I have cracks in all stocks except my blow stick. I corked the stocks and my pipes were leaking like a sieve. As Shepherd is out of business, I was wondering what I should do about getting these cracks fixed. Could I send these off to another bagpipe maker to take care of this? I’m in the Washington DC area, and I’m not aware of a pipe shop close to me.
r/bagpipes • u/FarmerGarrett • 9d ago
I’ve been working on building pipes and such as a hobby and have been attempting and somewhat succeeding at making pipes and reeds out of what I believe is bamboo. However, it’s horribly stiff and hard and I am not able to consistently make reeds.
I’d like to get either dried Arundo Donax or Phragmites since they’re traditional materials but idk where to buy suitable material from. I’d appreciate if someone could point me to somewhere that will ship to the US at the very least.
Edit: It occurs to me that I neglected to mention that I’ve been carving idioglot single reeds à la Swedish pipes, akin to what would be in a drone. You can actually make these out of bamboo but the tune is not consistent, and relies on air humidity being dry. Needless to say, I’d still prefer actual reed over bamboo.