Do you want to learn how to play bagpipes?

There are many versions of this incredible instrument throughout the world, but for the sake of clarity, I will discuss my favorite, the Scottish bagpipes.  These are the most well known and most played version of bagpipes around today.

  Keep in mind that learning to play bagpipes will bring you adulation as well as ridicule (“hey, why are you wearing that skirt’?).  You will need to ignore the hecklers and walk with pride in your kilt while you begin the long process of becoming an expert musician!  You will also need to be aware that learning to play is very difficult and won’t be resolved simply by purchasing a how-to guide and a songbook from a music store.

With that being said, here are my four steps to learning how to play bagpipes:

1. Get Yourself A Practice Chanter.

The first thing you must do is get yourself a bagpipe practice chanter. This will allow for two things: learn the very difficult fingering method and learn the note scales.

The scale works like this from lowest to highest: low G, low A, B, C, D, E, F, high G and high A.  Wait; remember that the C and F notes are actually sharps.

2.  Visit An Online Bagpipe Sheet Music Store And Purchase A Scale/Exercise Book. 

Using your practice chanter, you will gradually become familiar with how it should be held and how a scale is always played from lowest to highest.  Now, just like a piano, you will need to perform practice exercises.  My advice is to buy a practice manual to give you the proper exercises to improve your form and technique.  In addition, it is imperative that you begin reading music as bagpipe sheet music is different from more mainstream instruments.

3.  Check the classifieds and get a teacher.

I am all about teaching myself how to play musical instruments, but there comes a time when you have to give in and look for professional help (I am speaking about a teacher, not a psychiatrist!).  If you find the right teacher, the process will be drastically simplified and you will find yourself playing songs much earlier which is really the main point isn’t it?   Trust me; the investment is more than worth it and will improve your bagpipe method drastically.

But where do you find a teacher?  Well, that actually could be a problem depending on your geographic location.  I used to live in rural Kentucky and something tells me it would have been tough to find a kilt wearing instructor living out in the woods.  The easiest way is to find a store that actually sells bagpipes.  There you can find recommendations on the best teachers, prices and how to find them.  If you are teaching yourself, try online bagpipe instruction video to help you along.

 In all probability, the first two songs that you will learn are Scotland the Brave” and the classic “Amazing Grace”.   Both of these will bring you many admiring glances and  new found respect for your choice of musical instruments.

4.  Get Yourself Some Bagpipes

You have become adept at the fingering of a chanter, practiced for hours on end with your skills and drills music book, taken lessons,  and you have played at least two songs, so guess what the last step is?  You got it.  It is time to buy your bagpipes.

This is the exciting time that you have been waiting for!  Depending on your budget, this is what I would recommend.  Start off with great condition used bagpipes.  You can always work your way up to the expensive models like you see at concerts.  This will also protect you if you discover the bagpipe is just not for you (the reason there are so many good used ones out there!).  You can find some great deals below on new and used bagpipes and other merchandise such as reeds.  If you are not comfortable online, find a Scottish store near you and look for a great deal there.  Keep in mind, that you will need a chanter reed as well as three drone reeds.

 So what are you waiting for?  Get your chanter and the best bagpipe sheet music and get startedtoday!

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