Learn to Play The Bagpipe Chanter Scale The Fun Way! 

Keep on piping on, George, it the best cardio-rehab exercise for your lungs! Glad to hear you are recovering. It's always more fulfilling when you choose to let more music into your life, no matter what age you are at! 😀 More Beginner Bagpiping resources at my site: www.getbagpipeready.com/

Glad to hear that! haha! Thanks, Jerry, and keep on piping on!

Your most welcome Seamus! thanks for your comment and I love that you are getting another crack at the pipes! Good on ya!

@@GetBagpipeReady I am working on practicing daily but its difficult with 3 Doggies! LOL would you happen to have an old electronic chanter you'd like to part with or a recommendation of a bluetooth one that will work with ear buds?

@@Lagniappepodcast My echanter I have is my only one! It hasn't failed me in more than 20 years. Hope you find one that works good for you and your doggies :)

That’s Great Rachel 😀 thanks for turning in and good luck on your Bagpipe journey!!

My pleasure, Peter! Glad you are starting on the chanter as well! For more beginner videos, check out my site. Happy piping 😃 www.getbagpipeready.com/

Yes Lee Jones! You can stick with it! great work finding your practice chanter again!!

@John Doe Such an inspiration!!!

@@GetBagpipeReady Well I'm just a kid at 69 then !! I staeted tenor sax feb last year and I can squeeze a few tunes out now ! My family bought me a chanter for fathers day (they knew I wanted one) this year and I try to do half an hour a day then Sax. (yes SAX!!) in the evening. I'm still trying to remember where to put my fingers and it sounds awful !! I will stick at it

2 new instruments at once! Awesome David!! That’s the kind of creative learning that is so good for our brains!! 👍👍

I'm 65 and I got a tin whistle and I played that for a couple of months and then I just got my chanter a few days ago and sometimes I think I suck at it but then I realize hey wait I haven't playing this for like 3 days. But I am making progress and I love watching you and Matt Willis do your little shows and thank you so much for doing these because teaching is a high calling and with these videos I think I could do this bagpipe thing which I really want to do because my son who is age 30 plays a bagpipes and I'd like to play with him together. I'm not sure he thinks it's a great idea but it's okay. He already told me that the world is not need another bad bagpiper because there's a lot of jokes about bad bagpipers but I think at the age of 65 I can just do what I want

Thanks so much Michael! Really and truly your comment is encouraging and helps me make more content 😀

Amazing Tom!! sounds like your consistency is paying off and it’s fun too 😀

Great to hear, Logan!

Awesome, Glenn! If you are waiting for your chanter to come in still, you can practice the finger movements on a pen or pencil :)

Glad this was what you needed John! Here's a link to my beginner's workshop. Let me know if you have any questions :) bit.ly/Beginner-Bagpiping-Workshop

Awesome, Jill! So excited for you to start your piping journey! For other resources check out my site. Happy piping! www.getbagpipeready.com/

@@GetBagpipeReady You are correct about the fingers finding the holes. Working hard to make this happen. I will stay in touch! These old hands LOL, However, each time I practice my hands are getting my comfortable

You've got this Jill! Keep on piping on :)

Thank you very much, Billy!

My pleasure, Burt! Also, Thank you for your comment! You can find more of my free instructional videos at my website under "workshops": www.getbagpipeready.com/

Awesome Erin! 👊 I’m pumped for ya learnin the chanter! What tunes are on you list??

that's great you are getting into the pipes, Penny! Welcome to the journey :)

Glad to help! happy piping :)

After nearly a year on the pipes I’ve just had the worst practice session for a very long time. Could not get my fingers over the chanter holes correctly. I wanted to stick the lot in the bin. Makes me remember when I had bad PC sessions. If this happens to you just keep ploughing on. I’m told it will come right.

Keep on piping on Mark!!

Thanks!! 😀

that's a great tune! Christmas tunes are nice for beginners because the melody it so familiar. well done!

haha 😂

Right on!! Keep on piping on my friend 😀

You got this Sandra!!

Thanks so much! If we keep it fun will stick with it, and Consistency is what will get us the results were looking for 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing Andrea! If we can keep tricking our brain into having fun learning the chanter then we'll keep at it! If you are wanting more support in how to keep having fun on your bagpipe journey my free FB group would be perfect for you! (No prior musical experience required!) facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready

You can do it, Hugo! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind comment. If you would like to join my free facebook group here is the link. Happy piping :) facebook.com/groups/get.embellishments.bagpipe.ready

thanks Caroline!!!!

Thanks! 😃 So exciting you are starting your piping journey! I do live lessons to folks around the globe as well as offer other online services for beginner and intermediate bagpipers. You can find more details here: www.getbagpipeready.com/bagpipeservices

You can do it! Glad my videos are of some help. I think my free FB group will be perfect for ya to get extra support and tips from other pipers. Here's the link: facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready

Thanks for you wonderful comment Tim! So glad you have dug out your old chanter :) you can get my video lessons in one place on my website here: bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal

Thanks for your comments and encouragement Tommy!!! Happy piping 👍

Thanks!

Thanks very much!!

Happy to hear this video was helpful!! Also, thanks for your comment :) If you'd like to check out my Beginners Bagpiping 101 workshop just head over to my website: www.getbagpipeready.com Happy piping :)

Your Welcome Chris! Thanks for the comment :)

Awesome! Helping your fingers find the holes Is the toughest part, but with a bit of consistency each day you’ll get it! 👍

Welcome back! You've got this, Jonathan!

Very cool your son is getting into the pipes :) My practise guide may help him be consistent and may save you from having to nag him to practice! You can get it for FREE at my site :) www.getbagpipeready.com/

Amazing!! Welcome aboard the Bagpipe journey my friend 🙂

I think so too!

Wow, thank you Irene! I’m glad you checked out my videos 😀

That’s so great David 😀 Thanks for letting me know! Try for 2 min a day and see if you can keep the streak going 👏

Thanks so much Jon Lalanne!

Many thanks Diego🙏 I’m excited for you and your journey!

haha awesome!! hope you find some practice time :)

haha, Absolutely!

Get Bagpipe Ready Thanks for subscribing Firamiel!! Any tunes you are hoping to learn?

@@GetBagpipeReady my pleasure! ☺️ I might try to learn Skye Boat Song and I just saw that you have a series for it, awesome! ☺️

@@Firamiel awesome! That's a great tune. I saw on your channel that you're very musical!!!

That's very kind, thank you for checking my channel and subbing btw!

My pleasure! Very cool Channel you have 👏

Alright Colin!!! 👏👏👏

You can do it Larix! Amazing! Reach out to me if you have any guestions as you get started on your piping journey :)

@@GetBagpipeReady thanks, I will!

Haha! Thanks Malcolm :)

Thanks for sharing Christos! That is so amazing you got a practice chanter 🙂 keep at it, those fingers will find the holes yet! It may seem odd, but I found with learning other instruments, as an adult, sometimes it helps to have my earphones and listen to a podcast or watching TV, while my fingers are going through the movements of the basic scale. Sometimes keeping my self critical brain out of the way, and let my fingers go through the movements and learn their muscle memory can be helpful!

Yes!! 👏👏 So excoriated you on getting started with your bagpipe Journey 😀

haha Lester! a piping spot that doesn’t annoy family is key 😀 keep at it!

Wonderful Laurie! You’ve got this 😀👍

Glad this was helpful Jolene! For more beginner bagpiping videos check out my site. Happy piping 😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/

Thanks Mike! This tune "The Jolly Beggarman" has a melody that is nearly identlical to "the Red Haired Boy". I've also heard it under the name "Gilderoy". Thanks for watching!

you may have better luck finding the videos you are looking for on my site:bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal

Awesome, Paul, thank you! 🙏🙏

🤣🤣 That is something all pipers (as well as their unfortunate family) go through! Proceed through all the squawks and quacks, you'll get there! Just imagine, my poor mum, who had to put up with my two brothers, my dad, and myself all learning the bagpipes at the same time!!!!

Right on Dean! Thanks so much for your post, I absolutely love your comment. I had a similar experience learning banjo as an adult. There is no doubt that learning music as an adult is different than learning as a kid. The tutor books didn’t work for me either!

@@GetBagpipeReady Thanks. I just found out that the bagpipes I came across are a set from Pakistan made around 2006, and they probably aren't playable according to my research. I'm a mechanical engineer and a craftsman, so I'm thinking of making them playable *by any means necessary* and documenting the process. There are a few challenges that I need some more information on. If I could pick your brain a bit, would you be interested in testing them for me when I'm done? I would send them to you afterwards. I expect a lot of tools, custom made seasoning, and a lathe might be involved.

That’s an interesting project Dean! Not sure if I’m the best guy to help ya out, as there are mush more knowledgeable pipers and bagpipe makers out there! Feel free to email me getbagpipeready@outlook.com

Yes indeed! 😀 More Beginner Bagpiping resources at my site: www.getbagpipeready.com/

That’s so great!! Take a video of yourself playing now, then watch it in another 2 weeks. You’ll be amazed how much you improve 😀

thanks for watching!

Way to put that time to good use Pat! Wow! You play a lot of different instruments, good on you! Funny enough, I also play the trumpet and I’m learning the banjo right now. I have no idea how you guitar players manage the extra strings!! Currently, I’m not doing online lessons, but maybe in the future 👍

Rob Bourassa is a friend of mine who is incredible and gives lessons on all stringed instruments.. actually plays dueling banjos ( both guitar and banjo) at the same time lol

He also has allot of free banjo lessons on there

Right now, I feel it in my wrists, mostly the right

It’s tough at first! Try relaxing your fingers and when you switch notes rotate your whole forearm slightly instead of holding everything rigid.

That’s so great you found your chanter! Two minutes seems ridiculously small, but it is what builds consistency, and that’s when your fingers learn to find those holes!

Great! Keep on piping on 😀 Feel free to check out my site for more Beginner Resources, and lesson info. www.getbagpipeready.com/

Thanks for your comments Jon! I definitely agree that repetition is key!

Too funny 😂

Thanks for watching!! More beginner videos at my site. Happy piping😀 www.getbagpipeready.com/

Welcome to the piping community!!! Happy to call you a fellow piper Mark :) Glad you got a book and a chanter, if you enjoy my videos, you can see more of them at my website here: bit.ly/get-bagpipe-ready-learning-portal

5 Tunes! That’s amazing Clifford! The breathing can be tough until your brain gets it automated. Have you tried corking the chanter stock and just practice breathing with one drone going?Here is the second video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tUYvSQfwU30.html

Checkout this video Clifford, where I share how to coordinate your breathing for the bagpipes! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o9Jlp8mcqqE.html

Lee Jones! That is so awesome you dug out your practice chanter again! You just made my day :-) keep at it, those fingers will find the holes again. A half hour can be too big of a goal at first, I would recommend two minutes a day for two weeks. Take a video of yourself with your cell phone on the first day and on the last day and marvel at your progress!

electronic tuners can be helpful. Eventually tuning by ear will come 😀

Haha awesome J, so excited for ya 😀

For the chanter, there are not different reeds for different keys. The tone can be sharpened a bit, by syncing the reading to the chanter, or putting more hemp on the read to raise it in the chanter. There are different chanters built for different pitches for the bagpipes, I don’t know if they use the same reed or not. Hope that helps! Bty, I’m just learning banjo and guitar, after playing nothing but mouth blown instruments for years ha ha Ha 😂

Glad you are having less reed trouble now, Tyrone!

for sure Megan, it’s totally normal to feel nervous, you’ve got this! 👍 there’s others who are in the same boat as you in my free FB group. I’d recommend joining for more help and support 😀 here is the link: m.facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready/

Thanks, Catherine, and I'm so glad you found this helpful! As for chanters, lots of different options out there. Here is a good read before you buy: comparebagpipes.com/bagpipes/practice-chanter/

@@GetBagpipeReady That’s so helpful, thank you. I'll be watching your videos and really appreciate them!

@@cathrn57 Great!! happy piping :)

How exciting Ann! I don't have any videos on reed set-up. I'd recommend checking out Mat Willis's channel, he would likely have some :)

You'll get there!! Often when our brain is working hard to learn the tension increases in our bodies! keep reminding yourself to relax your jaw and fingers.

one thing at a time :) listen and play to develop your ear for a few minutes, then look at the music and play to develop your reading. hope that helps!

Yes of course, Philip! I'm excited you are looking to get into the pipes! Here is a video on buying your first chanter: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yg9Qp5PNGUw.html

@@GetBagpipeReady thank you very much!! Let's see how long it will take me to learn..

You’ve got this!

Too funny David 😂 Great idea slowing down the clip!!

Great question! fingering will be the same, so not to worry. Excited for your new chanter!

@@GetBagpipeReady Thank you

My pleasure!

nothing wrong with getting started through learning by ear! As for the light headedness, a dental elastic around your reed can make it an easier blow 👌

Depends what you ended up with Amy... a childs chanter? - better to get and Adult chanter... Scottish smallpipes or fireside pipes? - perfectly playable and a lot of fun! Child sized bagpipes? They probably exist, but I've never seen them so I'm not sure about that.

I havn't heard that one, Angela. Is it a piping tune or non-piping tune? Do you have sheet music?

Good Morning! Thanks for watching. To start, you need to buy a practice chanter. Here is one option for bagpipe suppliers. www.hendersongroupltd.com

Hi Jeremy, so excited you are getting into piping :) As for switching top and bottom hand, I'd encourage you to also ask the opinions of Derek and you pipe band guys. As for my thoughts, I have come across a couple different pipers, (one whom I am coaching) who have learned and stayed playing with their left hand as the bottom hand. I remember struggling also, with my lower hand pinky finger as a kid too! At the end of the day, If you are playing consistently, you'll make progress! Happy piping :)

🤣

I haven't heard of that maker before, but I hope the pipes suit you well!!

For sure! It's in the first 3 free lessons of my beginner Workshop. bit.ly/Beginner-Bagpiping-Workshop

Alright Ethan!!! I'm super pumped for you. Squeeks and squaks are all a normal part of getting started! If your on FB, get inspiration and support in my Get Bagpipe Ready FB group! facebook.com/groups/getbagpipeready Hope to see ya there!

Great question! It's an electric chanter. Here's a video where I talk more about them: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-d9KL0pa87uQ.html

Exactly! The chanter holes are too far apart to use fingertips. The fingers must spread out and flatten to cover all the holes and still allow for fast finger movement. This is also the same for the Low D Whistle. It will take a while for your fingers to get used to it but You'll get there! Happy piping :)

could be you need to blow harder... but if you blow too hard then the sound will cut out. The other thing that could be going on is a poor chanter. Unfortunately if you purchased a $20 chanter from Amazon, it's not any good! You can get a chanter from my friend Davey, made in the USA! Use the coupon code GETBAGPIPE5 to get 5% off and another 5% will go to the African Blackwood Conservation Project! Here's the Link: www.3dprintedbagpipes.com/product-page/long-practice-chanter

The is not my video, but it may be helpful for ya, John. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ymxz6ve5SZ0.html

That's awesome!!

Excellent question! Thanks for asking. Learning to play the pipes is as hard or as easy as you make it to be. The only thing is, if we make it feel hard, we'll never get there. But, if we make it feel easy, then you will stay consistent and actually learn the instrument! Let me provide some suggestions her below... Step 1- Buy a practice chanter ($30). Step 2 - Choose a tiny amount of chanter practice to do... It may be play the scale 1X or it may be something smaller. If you do more, it is a bonus! But don't force yourself to do more than your tiny scale if you don't feel like it. Step 3 - Pick something in your daily routine to piggyback your new chanter playing habit onto. ie; after I ready the morning paper, or after I sit on the chair by the TV. This way you have a built in reminder to play. Step 4 - Celebrate and track your progress. Smile & do a fist pump after you complete your tiny practice. Write a big check mark on the calendar. Give your brain something to be excited about in that moment rather than having your brain being discouraged with unhelpful thoughts of "I don't have a musical bone in my body", or "how long will it be until I can play the pipes". If your brain feels like it is winning by showing up to practice and that is what will keep you consistent. Step 5 - Video record your tiny practice on day two. Then after 2 weeks video record your tiny practice again. Compare the two videos. what improvements do you notice? If you can improve that much in 2 weeks, what is possible in 2 months? 2 years? 12 years?? Benefits of a consistent music practice: 1. Challenges your brain which improves memory and healthy aging 2. Decrease stress and get your mind off of tough things 3. Role models to others that it is OK to try new things 4. Improved coordination and lung capacity You get all the above benefits just by playing a little bit every day!!!! It doesn't matter if you have progressed to the bagpipes yet. But consistency over the long term will get you there! Your musical bones are inside you already, it's just that they are dormant right now. Give them a little bit of the right "feel good" environment each day to help them grow! Use it to improve it! Let me know how it goes :)

@@GetBagpipeReady that is some extremely good advice. thank you sir.

@@GetBagpipeReady OMG thanks for this helpfull comment. I ordered myself a practice chanter a few days ago, it should come today, i'll follow this for the future

Keep at it, JoAnne! You've got this!

The scale is very frustrating with all the transitions. I find for lots of new pipers its best to start with a simple tune, then go to the scale after a couple weeks. Here's my video on hot cross buns. Good luck! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5QeL9tze7ro.html

For sure Timmy! Piping is the funnest way to get in some lung therapy :-) there are epipes, electronic pipes, Small pipes which require less air, And bellows blowing pipes which required no breathing at all! Lots of options out there.

haha 😂 his name is Pippin and his brother is Merry

@@GetBagpipeReady pippin likes watching you play your bagpipes

@@nicolea2839 He Also Likes to sleep in my pipe case when I am Practicing! In this video he actually shut off the drones of my smallpipes while I was playing them! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2OTDLElUJLg.html