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Introduction to Piping | Rehearsals | Piping Links

Are there different kinds of bagpipes? Yes. The most common is the loud, bold Highland bagpipe, but many versions of smaller chamber pipes exist. These include the Uillean pipes heard in films like 'Braveheart,' 'Rob Roy' and 'Titanic.' One of the best known bagpipe/Scottish movies of all times, "Tunes of Glory", starring Alec Guiness and John Mills; is available at video stores and occasionally is shown on TV on the PBS channels.

How do the pipes work? A piper blows air into the bag using a one-way blowpipe. Once in the bag, the air escapes across reeds through four pipes. Three 'drone' pipes produce the bagpipe's signature 'hum', while melodies are played on the high-pitched 'chanter'. The bag is used as an air reservoir; continuous sound is produced by squeezing air out of the bag as the piper inhales.

Where can I buy bagpipe recordings? Until our online store is working, Austin's Waterloo Records (6th and Lamar) has a quite respectable bagpipe CD section. Look for music on the Lismor and GreenTrax record labels.

Where did the kilt come from? The kilt originated as a blanket that was pleated and belted around the Highlander's waist as clothing during the day and used for a blanket or as shelter, depending on the weather, at night.

What is the little knife in the sock for? The sgian dubh, (skeen doo) or "black knife", was originally hidden on the person of the Highlander and used as a last resort weapon. Tradition has it that the Highlander removed the knife from its hiding place and placed it in plain view in his sock, or hose, to show that he came in peace and friendship. So, when the piper is around, you know he comes in peace and plays for you in friendship.

I'm interested in learning the pipes. How do I get started?
The Highland bagpipe is a demanding instrument that requires 2-3 years of dedicated study to play comfortably. No, you won't be able to "just learn Amazing Grace" for your grandmother's funeral next week. (Yes, we've been asked.)

The first 8-12 months are spent mastering bagpipe fingering on a $70 recorder-like instrument known as a practice chanter. Once fingering becomes second nature, the student (and his neighbors) can expect several months of unpleasantness as he tackles the difficult task of learning to play the full set. Subsequent months are spent stabilizing breathing and tone, learning to maintain and tune the instrument and refining musical technique.

Do the band members offer lessons?
YES! The Capitol City Highlanders offers tuition-free classes to students who express serious interest in joining the band. Private lessons for a nominal fee are available to those who'd rather not join the band. Follow this link for more information.

Couldn't I learn by just buying a book and a cheap set of beginner bagpipes from a catalog?
NO! Cheap 'beginner bagpipes' advertised in gift and world music catalogs are badly-crafted toys better suited to hanging over your fireplace than playing music. Don't believe the copy claiming that reputable pipemakers simply stamp their logo on cheap sets and then raise the price. It's pure bunk. These abominations will require hundreds of dollars of upgrades to become playable, making the final price comparable to a good set by a reputable maker. More than likely, though, these toys will frustrate you so badly that you will eventually quit playing.

Besides, you don't need a full stand of bagpipes until you have mastered the practice chanter (see above). By then, through exposure to your teacher and other pipers, you should have a greater understanding of what makes up a good set of pipes. Your money will be better spent if you wait.

Even if you're a skilled musician, you still need a teacher to successfully learn piping. Many general musical paradigms, from key signatures to gracenotes to rhythm to the scale itself, simply have different sets of rules when it comes to the bagpipes. If you try to learn without a teacher, one of three things will happen: you will quit; you will sound terrible; or you will eventually decide to get serious and spend months un-learning the bad habits you got into while trying to teach yourself.