I am very much interested in learning to play the bagpipes. Is it a difficult in

Question:With the bagpipe, you can't start and stop like other instruments. The constant airflow requires playing embellisments on the nine basic notes. Agogic stress is used to slightly hold notes a bit longer to add expression to the music. So, not difficult to learn, but hard to play well. In spite of some books and tapes that say differently, you really need an instructor. There are too many things that need to be shown. You need someone to guide your learning and make you slow down and back up if need be.
I suggest contacting a local pipeband. Most give lessons for free to advance the learning of the instrument and to add to their membership. You'll have lots of encouragement and a place to play. You'll also get to meet pipers from all over the country and most likely, all over the world.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: With the bagpipe, you can't start and stop like other instruments. The constant airflow requires playing embellisments on the nine basic notes. Agogic stress is used to slightly hold notes a bit longer to add expression to the music. So, not difficult to learn, but hard to play well. In spite of some books and tapes that say differently, you really need an instructor. There are too many things that need to be shown. You need someone to guide your learning and make you slow down and back up if need be.
I suggest contacting a local pipeband. Most give lessons for free to advance the learning of the instrument and to add to their membership. You'll have lots of encouragement and a place to play. You'll also get to meet pipers from all over the country and most likely, all over the world.

The Great Highland Bagpipes are a rather difficult instrument. Although it looks decievingly simple, the chanter having fewer fingering position than a saxaphone, the positioning of the fingers, overblowing and speed/precision are all fairly difficult to master. Blandford & Sons, 204 Orange St,Redlands, CA (909) 798-1060 gives lessons & may be able to direct you to a source closer to wherever you live.

if you try you do it