Introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipe

Buying a Bagpipe

After learning on the practice chanter for several months to a year, a student should be ready to purchase a full set of bagpipes. This can be a stressful experience, as a high quality set of pipes typically costs around $1000. In addition, there are many different pipe makers and styles of pipes from which to choose. A student's teacher can provide guidance on what to purchase. If the student is playing in a pipe band, the band will typically provide the student with a chanter that is matched to the rest of the band. This makes tuning the band much easier. The student can use the chanter that comes with the bagpipe as a "solo" chanter if desired.

Cost of a Highland Bagpipe

Like any quality musical instrument, bagpipes are not inexpensive. They are not mass produced like some entry-level, "student," instruments, as the market is not large enough for mass production. A piper should be prepared to spend between $800 and $1200 for a good set of pipes. With proper care, a good set of pipes should last a piper for many years.

Many people interested in piping see sets of bagpipes advertised for under $500, and some sets even cost $250 or $300. There are bagpipes produced in this price range, but they are typically of inferior quality and materials. Low cost pipes are typically more difficult to maintain, and they may not be capable of producing a proper pitch from the chanter (some inexpensive sets are not designed to tune to pitch of the modern "A"). As with any musical instrument, a lower priced instrument may work for an absolute beginner, but the student will quickly outgrow it. It is better to spend the extra few hundred dollars on one set of pipes that will last the piper many years.

Choosing a Manufacturer

There is a fairly wide variety of quality pipe makers in the United States, Canada, and Scotland. Because these instruments are produced by hand, some pipe makers have a waiting list that may be 3 months or longer. A list of bagpipe makers is shown in Figure 6. It is not required that the bagpipe be purchased directly from the maker, and many retailers may have several sets of pipes in stock. This can alleviate the problem of the waiting list.

If a student is able to attend a Highland games before making a bagpipe purchase, it will be an excellent opportunity to hear several bagpipes from different makers. Because most of the manufacturers have equivalent quality, it will come down to a student's personal preference as to which brand of bagpipes to purchase. Each maker may provide a slightly different set up for their pipes. For example, some makers use a Canmore bag with the pipes that they sell, and others choose to use elk hide. Some pipes come with synthetic drone reeds, and others are shipped with the standard cane drone reeds. When playing as part of a band, the Pipe Major of the band may have a preference for which brand the student should purchase.

Wood Versus Synthetic

Although most bagpipes are made of wood, synthetic materials have become increasingly popular in recent years. Synthetic materials, typically Delrin, are particularly popular for producing chanters. Bands often use synthetic chanters from one manufacturer because they are usually much easier to tune. Wooden chanters tend to have more variation between each chanter. Many pipers use a wooden "solo" chanter and a synthetic "band" chanter.

Almost all drones are made of wood; however, several manufactures have begun producing synthetic drones. Pipe makers such as J. Dunbar have begun producing synthetic drones of high quality. They are still not very common, but they are becoming more popular.

The choice between wood and plastic can be a difficult one. There is continued debate about whether the sound of wooden chanters and drones is superior to that of plastic. Plastic is definitely more durable than wood. For a young student, pipes made from synthetic material may be an appropriate choice. In addition, a piper that plays in a harsh climate may prefer the durability of plastic. In the end, after listening to several different bagpipes, the piper must decide what is most important.

Bagpipe Mountings

The drones of the bagpipe are not just simple cylinders. Instead, they are typically ornamented with "combing" of the wood or plastic. This makes for a more attractive appearance. In addition, the ends of the drones can be mounted with a variety of materials. The mountings help protect the drones from cracking and splitting. Several of the possibilities are listed below. They are ranked in order of increasing cost: [7:50]

Half mounted nickel silver, wood projecting mounts

Half mounted nickel silver, imitation ivory projecting mounts

Full mounted imitation ivory

Full mounted nickel silver

Full mounted real ivory (no longer legal to buy new ivory)

Mounted with ivory and sterling silver

Full mounted sterling silver

Of this list, a piper buying a first set of pipes should probably choose somewhere in the middle of the list. Adding real silver to the mountings of the pipes will not affect their sound, but it will greatly increase the cost. It is no longer legal to purchase new ivory, but some old sets of pipes have it. A couple of manufactures have turned to other natural materials, such as naturally shed antler, instead of ivory. Probably the most common mounting purchased is the half-mounted nickel silver with imitation ivory projecting mounts. This offers a good compromise between cost and appearance.

Purchasing a bagpipe can be a stressful part of a student's progression as a piper. With guidance from a teacher or Pipe Major, the choices can be made easier. Because there are many high quality pipe makers, the piper can shop carefully for the exact sound and set up that is desirable. Bagpipes are not mass-produced, so pipers should be prepared to spend enough money to purchase a quality instrument. Extremely expensive sets, such as those with silver mountings, can be ruled out for as a first purchase. Expensive mountings do not affect the quality of the bagpipe's sound, and there is no reason for a student to spend the extra money on them.

garycox@io.com
Date last modified: 8/8/98