# They came! They came! My bagpipes came! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2002, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343 "2002-04-02T05:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/21 "2002-04-03T03:54:44Z")
What a coincidence. Just tonight, I heard a pipes playing somewhere nearby. I went outside to look around and there was a guy in a room on the fourth floor of the dorm across the courtyard playing “Amazing Grace.” He looked out of the window and saw me watching and waved to me. I waved back, and thought of you and your pipes that came in the mail. It was nifty. Have fun praticing, and remember, don’t let your neighbors get a clear shot. ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/22 "2002-04-03T14:36:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Northern Piper \* > \*\*… I’m going to see if I can find an arrangement of “Green is the Colour” for the pipes. Then I’ll rock at Taylor Field! \*\* If you’re going to play at Taylor Field, maybe you should learn _Taps_ first. ---
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/23 "2002-04-03T19:11:41Z")
“Ah, the bagpipe: the missing link between noise and music.” - unknown _That’s_ my favorite. 😃 I actually like bagpipes – I think it’s the Scottish blood in me. **Northern Piper** , what’s the proper pronunciation of “chanter”? Is it “kanter” or is it actually said like it sounds? Just curious. 🙂 ---
**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:** [April 5, 2002, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/24 "2002-04-05T03:41:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kuroashi \* > \*\*I’ve been interested in gettnig pipes someday. I don’t think it’s reasonable to consider getting 'em while I’m in Japan (absolutely no place to practice), but some day soon…so, how much did they set you back I’m wondering? \*\* About CAN$1,1100 - the Canadian manufacturer, Dunbar’s of Ste. Catharine, sells a variety ranging in price from $750 for plain plastic ones, to $6,400 for blackwoods with engraved siller. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pipeliner \* > \*\* > > If you’re going to play at Taylor Field, maybe you should learn _Taps_ first. \*\* Oooh, that’s _mean_. Besides, it’s a new season coming, and hope springs eternal in Rider fans! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stargazer \* > \*\*Northern Piper, what’s the proper pronunciation of “chanter”? Is it “kanter” or is it actually said like it sounds? Just curious. 🙂 \*\* “Ch” as in “church.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/25 "2002-04-05T04:19:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pipeliner \* > If you’re going to play at Taylor Field, maybe you should learn _Taps_ first. Ahem. Not _Taps,_ my dear soul; but, rather, _Last Post_. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/26 "2002-04-05T04:32:14Z")
Along with some others who saw that thread title, my first thought was not innocent either: **They came! They came! My bagpipes came!** Oh so _that’s_ the point of all that squeezing and blowing then! I’d never try to learn to play them myself though. I’m am not musically inclined. So I’ve heard of Scottish bagpipes and Irish bagpipes. What did you get and what exactly is the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/27 "2002-04-05T04:44:02Z")
> [@](#): > > They came! They came! My bagpipes came! > > Oh so that’s the point of all that squeezing and blowing then! I just blew Pepsi out through my nose you horrible, horrible (but mildly amusing) man. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/28 "2002-04-05T04:50:06Z")
From my other favorite board… [http://homerecording.com/make\_bagpipes.html](http://homerecording.com/make_bagpipes.html) ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/29 "2002-04-05T21:24:48Z")
First of all, CONGRATS, Piper! I’m all full of envy, not only for your new aquisition, but also for your ablility to play the things! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\*So I’ve heard of Scottish bagpipes and Irish bagpipes. What did you get and what exactly is the difference? \*\* I’m betting that Norther Piper probably got a set of Great Highland Bagpipes, which are the instrument most of us think of when somebody says “bagpipes”. Other Scottish pipes include the Lowland Smallpipes, which use a bellows instead of the player’s breath; and Parlour Pipes which are like a set of the Great Highland pipes but with tiny drones which allow them to be played quietly in small rooms. As for the Irish bagpipes, you’re probably referring to Uilleann Pipes, which are blown with a bellows under the right arm into a bag under the left arm, and create that high, haunting, lonely tone that we all heard featured in the soundtrack to _Braveheart_ and on “Riverdance” and many traditional Irish recordings, particularly by the Chieftains. Uilleann Pipes are often played sitting down, as they are somewhat clumsy to walk with. Some Irish pipe bands even play the Great Highland Bagpipes and wear kilts in Irish tartans. I’m probably omitting several varieties of Irish and Scottish bagpipes, but these are the ones I’ve personally laid eyes on and listened to. There are also French bagpipes, Sumerian bagpipes, Asian bagpipes…it seems that the Celts weren’t the only ones who realized that pumping air from a bag into the pipe is a pretty good way to play an instrument without taking a break every time you take a breath. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/30 "2002-04-05T22:22:42Z")
Good luck. I remember starting a Great Debates thread many moons ago about “the hardest instrument to learn” and bagpipes were near the top of the list. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/31 "2002-04-06T01:37:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KKBattousai \* > \*\* > > I was thinking “there’s a dirty joke in there somewhere” and I was _right!_🙂 \*\* I feel better now, because my first thought was “that’s got to make a hell of a mess.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/32 "2002-04-06T02:11:00Z")
[Michael Vignoles](http://www.irishpipesmaker.com) is a friend of mine. He makes beautiful pipes, and plays them magnificently as well. I even have a bodhran he made for me… Ah, memories. Congratulations on your new set!!! Piping is truly a talent! ---
**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:** [April 6, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/33 "2002-04-06T04:21:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > **\ > I’d never try to learn to play them myself though. I’m am not musically inclined.** Who says you need talent? I’m getting along just fine without any! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\*\ > So I’ve heard of Scottish bagpipes and Irish bagpipes. What did you get and what exactly is the difference? \*\* **Kilt-wearin’ Man** is correct - I got me some Highland Pipes - the great big un’s that make the most noise on a still Prairie night. 😃 **Arnold,** as I recall you told me that you “felt my pain” as I was describing the travails of learning to play the pipes - at that stage in the endeavour, that counted as encouragement - thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Finnie\_the\_Pooh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@Finnie\_the\_Pooh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finnie_the_Pooh)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2002, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343/34 "2002-04-06T06:10:17Z")
Man, I think I just heard you practising! Could you point that thing in some other direction? In the sixties, on sunday mornings, I used to listen to my radio in my room. We had an Italian radio program fist, followed by a Finnish program, and then a Scottish program. I understood the Italian and the Finnish, but had trouble with the Scottish.😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-came-they-came-my-bagpipes-came/101343.md?page=1)