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The only equipment you need to learn to play is, a practice chanter and a decent tutor.

Right here, you get everything in one package.

The complete tuition course on a double dvd and a practice chanter.

You do not need to go to the expense of buying a set of pipes-just yet!

The Great Highland Bagpipes are not one of these instruments that you can just pick up and play.

There are a few necessary steps to take before you even attempt to take on the pipes. These steps are not difficult very important if you want to be able to play properly.

To Begin with, everyone learns to play on a small, mellow instrument called a “Practice Chanter”.

On this instrument, you learn all the fingering techniques, embellishments and movements, unique to the Highland Bagpipes.

You will also learn some tunes at the same time as learning these techniques because, when you graduate onto the pipes, you will need music to play.

So, if you want to be able to play properly, you must learn all this first.

Once you move onto the pipes, you do not discard your practice chanter. You keep it handy for learning new tunes and for brushing up your technique. Every piper always keeps his practice chanter handy. Usually with his pipes.

So, you see, it is not expensive to learn to play the pipes!

The length of time it takes to learn all these techniques varies from individual to individual. The amount of time and concentration you put in is relative to how long it will take you. It could be weeks, it could be months. It all depends on you!

A word of warning!

There are a lot of people on the internet selling chanters and bagpipes, claiming them to be Scottish but, they are not.

Always ask them ;

Where they are made

and

What kind of wood they are made from.

The con men will tell you they are Rosewood which, if it was authentic, is a very nice wood but, it is not. It is a wood called “Sheesham”. They are mass produced in Pakistan! They are a load of rubbish! An expert like me can tell right away. If you are ever in doubt, just ask me for my opinion.

I hate to see people getting “Ripped off ”!

Real bagpipe makers use wood called “African Blackwood”

This is the very best wood for musical instruments.