Progress![]() The bagpipes are a simply yet unique instrument compared to many instruments. Like many already in existence, it it a woodwind instrument. For those that do not know what that means, the Great Highland Bagpipes (GHB) and many other types of bagpipes require reed, a thin slip of material. These are usually made with wood; however, some are made with synthetic materials, like plastic. Some instruments, like the accordion and harmonica, require an integral metal reed. These vibrate and make sound with the instrument player's breather or other method of air inflow. Bagpipes do not originate from Scotland as many may believe or figure. The first recorded use of a bagpipe was from a Hittite sculptured stone from millennia ago. Some site even suggest that they have roots from the early Chinese. There is no definite origin of the bagpipes. It is widely agreed upon that Rome was the first to integrate a variant of a bagpipe with the tibia utricularis in their military. Throughout time, it stayed mostly in Europe, England for the most part. It wasn't until after the Dark Ages that the bagpipes rose from the darkness. The English used to the bagpipes to inspire their Scottish and Irish regiments which then began to take a great foothold. The bagpipes in Scotland do not have a specific time when they first emerged, like the rest of the world. Each town had their own piper for a variety of occasions from weddings to funerals. Overall, bagpipes are worldwide spread to even parts of Asia. They have their roots from before Rome from the Hittites. ReflectionOverall, this was interesting to research the history of my favorite instrument. This took me about a couple hours of complete and research. This can be useful as many confront me asking where the origins of the bagpipes have come from. What is interesting is that the pipes can perhaps be found in the Bible as it refers to bagpipes in Daniel 3:5 and other places that say "pipes." to say the least, the bagpipes are a very old instrument. The next blog will begin to go over the actual playing part of the GHB, but I am slightly worried for my own practice as I have been busy lately and been exhausted. I am excited for this part for this part as well. If anyone else has more knowledge on the bagpipes, please share for everyone else to know down below in the comments. Thank you everybody who takes the time out of your busy day to read this.
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ProgressAs case being with any instrument, you must have time to practice as well as perseverance through times when you are stressed with trying to learn a new song. If you don't play any woodwind instruments like the clarinet, saxophone, or even perhaps a bassoon, your lips will fatigue. This is totally natural as most do not do anything to exercise these muscles. To work these muscles, practice for a few minutes at a time with a break long enough that allows your lips to feel normal. If you practice too hard for too long, you may find the you cannot utilize your lips for speech. Tutors are difficult to come by in the majority of the United States. If you want to learn to play the Great Highland Bagpipes (GHB), try finding a tutor or even perhaps join a clan. I myself to be unsuccessful with finding either, but I still practice when I can. YouTube can also be a good resource as users such as Bagpipe Master or even Rich Gordon can give tips and video guides of how to play songs. Now, to begin to play the bagpipes, buy a practice chanter first. Do not go to eBay and buy a cheap $100 bagpipes (especially ones made in or by a Pakistani company) as these are fake or are not meant to be played as an instrument. New and real GHBs are easily at least $1000 USD and can even cost in excess of $3000. If you try to play the real bagpipe and not try to learn step by step, you will get discouraged and stop wanting to learn. Practice chanters come in various styles, lengths, and sounds. The practice chanter in the middle and right is the one that I have. Essentially, a practice chanter is a smaller, quieter, and simpler version of the GHB. Use this to practice a new tune and learn the instrument. Practice chanters range from $30-$300 USD. Before we begin to learn to play, you may want to purchase one of these. Do know that different chanters sound different to different chanters and reeds. These also vastly different from the actual bagpipe as well. When you purchase one, try to buy one that is a 'long practice chanter' as these would be the actual length of the chanter on the bagpipes. ReflectionFor now, that is all. Maybe about for hours did this take me to complete this. Looking for prices and pipers took some time. For the next blog, I will begin to go over GHB nomenclature and the nine notes on the chanter. If you guys absolutely have no idea where to go, you can try to email a piper or a clan. More than likely will they be willing to help you one way or another. Please, feel free to comment asking for help or give resources others could use. What do you need help with? Don't be scared to ask for help. I will do my best to assist you and give my best input. Take care everybody.
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April 2017
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