# I want to learn to play bagpipes. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559 "2010-09-13T02:03:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/21 "2010-09-14T03:42:30Z")
One of our neighbours in Hamilton used to go practise the bagpipes in the cemetery across the street. Not quite enough noise to wake the dead, though we often felt he must have been damn close! I want to learn to be a hockey goalie. I think it would be fun. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/22 "2010-09-14T03:44:52Z")
So, what… do you soak the reed in water? I’d have to find the bloody thing. I don’t know if it has a real reed or a plastic one. But the effort of blowing it made me lightheaded in under a minute. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/23 "2010-09-14T05:00:10Z")
Let’s see: Started learning Persian. Got about 400 words memorized. Forgot them. Have had book on kitchen table without even opening it for last 4 months. Gonna happen? What do YOU think!!! Best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/24 "2010-09-14T05:40:59Z")
I want to learn how to use a sewing machine. A humble dream, I know. At present I don’t have the time nor the space to store one in the apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/25 "2010-09-14T12:04:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > So, what… do you soak the reed in water? > > I’d have to find the bloody thing. I don’t know if it has a real reed or a plastic one. But the effort of blowing it made me lightheaded in under a minute. No, you suck on it. Wet it with your saliva. But only if it’s cane. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/26 "2010-09-14T12:07:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > So, what… do you soak the reed in water? > > I’d have to find the bloody thing. I don’t know if it has a real reed or a plastic one. But the effort of blowing it made me lightheaded in under a minute. If it’s a cane reed, you just pull the chanter apart and put the reed in your mouth for a bit and wet it with your saliva. If it’s a plastic reed, no point in wetting it - in fact, a wet plastic reed will buzz. The lightheadedness is a good sign - it’s an indication that you are at the initial stages of bagpipe nirvana. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![may\_be\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@may\_be\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/may_be_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/27 "2010-09-14T21:23:33Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > > [@may\_be\_ignorant](#): > > > > But I probably never will. Anyone else wish they could do something they probably ever wont? Pointless, I know. > > I want this Thread moved to the Pit. > > Bagpipes. > > He probably lives in a multi-unit apartment building. > > :mad::mad::mad: No, lol. Out in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559/28 "2010-09-14T21:33:15Z")
> [@may\_be\_ignorant](#): > > > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > > > I want this Thread moved to the Pit. > > > > Bagpipes. > > > > He probably lives in a multi-unit apartment building. > > > > :mad::mad::mad: > > No, lol. Out in the country. _Which_ country? :dubious::mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-to-play-bagpipes/553559.md?page=1)