I’m new to the UP scene, and am interested in learning to play.
There are 3 practice sets on ebay:
One from Bob from Bob May (New)
One from Kevin Scott(CA) (used) but the owner says there is a leak somewhere in the chanter.
One from Harp and Dragon. (used with modifications, [bagpipesgalore]), made in Pakistan. Chanter is ebony, bag synthetic, bellows leather, 2 reeds, plastic and cane , and metal tenor drone.
Okay… I’m not 100% positive i’ll have all the time in the world to practice this thing. I just know I love the sound. I already have a musical background ( guitar and banjo) so I understand music. I really don’t want to lay out a ton of money to try the UP out. How hard to diagnose the leak in chanter from the Scott set? Is the Harp and Dragon set ok for learning?
Well Mike, you can check the offered bids on these 3 practice sets and then remind yourself of the old axiom, “You get what you pay for”.
Bob May Set: Current bid is $500
Kevin Scott Set: Current bid is $200.01 (hmm.. 1 cent?)
Paki Set: Current bid is $152.50
There’s a reason for the low bids, Mike.
Finally, if you’re already telling yourself that you probably won’t have time to practice, then why bother at all? These pipes DO take time to learn, but they are worth it - IF you take the time. If you’re not going to commit the time, then think of how many CDs of UP music that even $150.50 will buy, and you’ll get years of enjoyment.
Mike, you might want to also look at one of David Daye’s starter Practice Sets’s, with a finished Penny Chanter & reed, and bellow’s & bag in kit form. His instrument’s use material’s which are a bit unconventional, but the guy put’s a lot of engineering into his work, they’re relatively inexpensive, and almost universally have a good reputation. http://daye1.com/pennychanter.html
Regarding Bagpipes Galore!/Harp and Dragon uilleann’s, the bagpipe newsgroup at Google.com has had some recent posting’s on the matter, and as an informed consumer, you might want to check them out. http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&safe=off&group=rec.music.makers.bagpipe
As to practice, I would plan to practice a few hours a week. But I no longer have the luxury of intense practice time like I did before I had a family!
I suppose I was looking at the sets from the standpoint of an inexpensive way to get my feet wet. Thanks for the pennychanter link, i’ve read about it before, I think i’ll have to look into it some more.