Momma Don’t Dance and Daddy Don’t Play the Bagpipes

“It” finally arrived yesterday! It’s been about 2 weeks since I ordered and it only had to travel a little ways across the state to me. Part of the order included a set of books that were on their way from Canada. Express shipping no less, but customs decided to hold it at the border for a while, so I had to wait until that happened for the full order to arrive. I know some of you are just dying of curiosity to find out what I could have possibly ordered that would fulfill a life long dream…so without further ado, may I present the evidence of my insanity….

Yes, dear readers, bagpipes. Real honest to goodness bagpipes! These are not the Great Highland Bagpipes that so many associate with Scotland, but a two drone set (the Great Highland Bagpipes have three) that isn’t nearly as loud, nor do they require lungs the size of a hot air balloon. They are also completely convertible for all the stages of learning to play the bagpipes. In the first stage of learning, I won’t need the bag itself, nor will I need the drones, just the blow pipe and Chanter (the piece with the fingering holes) and these books…

(Not shown with the books, the audio CD’s with exercises on them. I do have them as they came as a set.) Yes, these are the offending items that customs had to investigate! And finally, here is the blow pipe and chanter assembled without the bag or drones. This is referred to as a practice chanter and so far I sound like a hunter blowing a duck call while drowning. Sydney has found this extremely amusing and hasn’t held back her laughter at all. Nick has only made the comment “what is THAT?” followed by “Oh, yeah. They finally came.” when I was playing (he was in another room with the door open, when we had it closed, he couldn’t hear me over his computer game.

And now I am off for my daily practice, really hoping that I can get the hang of the fingering. It feels awkward at best and my left wrist tends to cramp, but practice I must! Be glad that you don’t live near me.. and if all the ducks in your region start flying towards California.. you’ll know who to blame!