Ok, how long have you been thinking about this? I talk to people all of the time who've always wanted to play the pipes and after many years are still inquiring about the process. The truth is that the process is simple. It's not easy, it's simple. To be a Bagpiper, you have to be able to play a list of tunes on the bagpipe. If you don't suffer from Arthritis or Emphysema, then you have a good chance of succeeding in this endeavor. Learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe is like going to Alcoholics Anonymous or Weight Watchers. You need to attend a meeting (lesson) once a week and do something every day. If you do that, you'll be playing the pipes passably in about 12 to 18 months. The question is, how old will you be next year, if you don't do this?

All you need to get started is a practice chanter. A practice chanter is a wind instrument similar to a recorder (like we played in school), and an instructor. If you need a practice chanter, I am the Gibson Bagpipe Dealer for Pennsylvania and New York. I carry them in stock. The models and prices are listed below. I sell a great deal of R-101's. The Gibson Practice Chanter is tonally balanced so that all of the notes are correct when played. That helps in developing your ear as to how the pipes are supposed to sound.

*Shipping charges and sales tax (if applicable) will be added to all products after they are ordered.

 

The Gibson Practice Chanters

 R101 Practice Chanter                                              $75.00

R101A-Long Practice Chanter                                   $95.00

R101B-Long Practice Chanter With Sole                  $100.00

R101C-Long African Blackwood Practice Chanter    $175.00

 

The other important component is a teacher.  If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, give me a call.  I have produced a lot of bagpipers over the last 10 years in this area.  If you need help in finding a teacher in your area, let me know and I'll help you do that as well.  If it turns out that you live in too remote of a location for a personal visit, there is always .  This is an internet video telephony service that is a free download and free to use.  You need a high speed contection and a webcam.  A lot of webcams come with a built in mic.  It's not the most ideal way to take lessons, however it is better than nothing. 

The third tool that you need to get your bagpipe career started is motivation.  I believe that the best motivation are CD's and Recordings of good bagpipers.  Below are some of my recommendations.  Also, as you learn, you'll need music books.  I highly recommend the books below. 

All of the Burt Mitchell Books are sold with a matching CD.  The tracks on the CD are the same number as the tunes in the book.  What I especially like from a teachers point of view is that the books are relatively inexpensive so your teacher can write notes in the music at your lessons.  You wouldn't want to do that with a collector type book.  On the CD's Burt has recorded each tune on a separate track.  He is also playing at full performance speed.  I tell my students that this is a double edge sword.  You don't necessarily want to learn the tunes by rote, however with the right rhythm training they are very effective tools.

Before these books however, I have recorded 24 of the most played Bagpipe Tunes on a CD called "Big, Slow & Open".  This is for the brand new person who just learned the new tunes but can't play them up to speed.  The purpose is to get a new person playing with someone else as soon as possible.  Here is a sample of "Blue Bells of Scotland" played "Big, Slow. and Open".  "Big, Slow & Open"  sells for $16.95 plus tax (if applicable) and shipping.  Or you can download my recordings for $9.95 plus tax (if applicable.

Private Instruction:

1-30 Minute Private Lesson in studio or over the internet by appointment. $30.00.

Weekly Private Lesson by regular appointment either in studio or over the internet.  $100.00 per month for a half hour per week.

Group Instruction

Group lessons are also available for $50.00 per month per person. (Group minimum is 4 people.)

When we receive your order, we will call you for an appointment.

 

Band Workshops

Have Gary come down and work with your band.  Does your group need some technique or rhythm skills?  Gary can teach your group to sight reed rhythm which is the key to learning new music!

 

Instruction Tools:

 

 

 

Burt Mitchells- Book 1 & CD

"Pipe Teachers Assistant Volume 1"

This book has all of the staple tunes you'll ever want to play.

$32.00 plus tax (if applicable) & shipping

 

 

 

Burt Mitchells- Book 2 & CD

"Pipe Teachers Assistant Volume 2"

-Some Great 6/8's

$32.00 plus Tax (if applicable) and shipping.

 

 

 

Burt Mitchells- Book 3 & CD

"Pipe Teachers Assistant Volume 3"

-Winning Marches  (all 2/4 meter)

$34.00 plus Tax (if applicable) and shipping.

 

 

 

Burt Mitchells- Book 4 & CD (2)

"Pipe Teachers Assistant Volume 4"

-Irish Airs & Quicksteps

$34.00 plus Tax (if applicable) and shipping.

 

 

All Pipers should have these books in their collection as it is the "bible" of the bagpipe world.    $65.00 Each.

 

 

Volume 1

 

 

 

                                       

 

Volume 2

             

 

                 Motivation                                                      

For motivation I recommend the following CD's all priced at $18.95 USD

   

Ann Gray- A Twist in the Tale

Bruce Gandy-My Fathers Son

 Burt Mitchell-Pipes Alive!

                                                     

 Pipe Major-Angus MacDonald

Hugh A MacCallum

The Band Room Masters   

                                                           

An Evening Of Champions  

Gordon Duncan-Just For Seumas

 Gordon Duncan-Thunderstruck

           

                                                   

 

                                                                                                                                                                       

"Bagpipes Anonymous(TM)"  Our 11 step program to bagpipe addiction!   We offer  free bagpipe and drumming instruction at our Wednesday night  program!  Classes are held on Wednesday Evenings at the Ivyland Borough Hall  in the Warminster, PA area.   No musical experience necessary.  For information, call:  215-968-9542

Scots Wha Hae, Amazing Grace, Blue Bells, Bonnie Charlie, Johnny Scobie, Scotland The Brave, The Rowan Tree. The 42nd, The High Road to Gairloch, The Brown Haired Maiden, Green Hills of Tyrol, When the Battles Over, Ol’Louid, Steamboat, Bugle Horn, The Wandering Piper, Bonnie Dundee, Muck on the Geordies Byre, Murdo's Wedding, Cockney Jocks, Wings,George Roy’s March, Bagpipe Lessons, Gibson Practice Chanters, Bagpipe CDs, Bagpipe Music Books, "Big, Slow and Open"

              

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Bruce Gandy, Ann Gray, Scots Guards, Burt Mit