Cool Xmas Present

You guys ever have any potential hobbies or interests that you've always wanted to get into, but for one reason or another, you just haven't?

I am of Scottish heritage, and was brought up to be very close to my ancestral roots. My dad is ex-RCAF, and so I grew up listening to military music, particularly bagpipe music. I learned how to play drums in high-school, but for rock and roll and never really turned that interest into playing drums with a pipe band. But I've always wanted to learn how to play the pipes, but I've never gotten off my butt to do anything about it.

Knowing this, my wife bought me for xmas, a bagpipe chanter, which is essentially what you learn on, before moving over to full-on bag pipes. Along with this chanter, she got me lessons with a pipe major here in town. I'm really stoked about this. With diligent practise, I should be onto full bag pipes within a year. Depending on how it goes, I may try to join a band too.

The good thing is, the chanter doesn't make a whole lot of noise, and once I move onto pipes, I live close to government farmland where I can play as loud and as long as I like and not bother anyone.

[roadcarver]

Cool, now you get to use that to ring in the new year!

Everytime that I see a bag pipe, it reminds me of the character from Austin Powers - Fat Bastard, LOL!

Originally Posted by roadcarver

Cool, now you get to use that to ring in the new year!

Everytime that I see a bag pipe, it reminds me of the character from Austin Powers - Fat Bastard, LOL!

After all I ate this past xmas, that's what the missus is calling me now.

[C.J.]

Very cool, Johnny One of the best sounds on the planet IMHO

[mailman]

Cool present. Did the Mrs. get you a skirt to wear while playing this too? Or is she saving it for when you get the pipes?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mailman

Cool present. Did the Mrs. get you a skirt to wear while playing this too? Or is she saving it for when you get the pipes?

[astcell]

The first time I heard the bagpipes I thought it was a psychological weapon of war.

[Southern Jessie]

The good thing is, the chanter doesn't make a whole lot of noise, and once I move onto pipes, I live close to government farmland where I can play as loud and as long as I like and not bother anyone.

You'll bother the cows, dogg! Don't expect any milk once they hear that racket!

Seriously, I'm very happy you've got the chance to do something you've always wanted to do. Pics of you playing are needed of course!

[Uncle-AJ]

Please don't post an audio file John, my hearing is very delicate.

Seriously, that was a nice jesture from the missus.

[AJC]

Originally Posted by mailman

Cool present. Did the Mrs. get you a skirt to wear while playing this too? Or is she saving it for when you get the pipes? :

Being a push bike rider with shaved legs John would be looking for an excuse to wear the traditional kilt.

[Langnam]

Ahhh, the sound of bagpipes! How could anyone not love the sweet skirl of the pipes. As you can tell, I'm not only a big fan of bagpipes, but also like all types of Gaelic music.
It's funny, but I see from time to time a piper practicing in a field near my house, but never thought about the reason until now. His neighbors have probably gone insane by now.

Play on!

Originally Posted by Langnam

Ahhh, the sound of bagpipes! How could anyone not love the sweet skirl of the pipes. As you can tell, I'm not only a big fan of bagpipes, but also like all types of Gaelic music.
It's funny, but I see from time to time a piper practicing in a field near my house, but never thought about the reason until now. His neighbors have probably gone insane by now.

Play on!

Thanks guys for the (mostly ) kind words. Marc, that guy is absolutely practicing there for that very reason.

BTW Paulie, I got married in full kilt and regalia and we had a piper pipe Mrs. Atomic down the aisle at the wedding. So yes, I have all my own kit, including the KILT as it's called.

[Alcan]

Our club celebrates Robbie Burns Night every year, with the address to the haggis and the whole 9 yards. A couple of years ago we had the (then) world champion bagpipe player as the evening's entertainment. You ain't heard nothing until you hear In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida on bagpipes. This guy was incredible!!!

Gotta love Robbie Burns celebrations! Particularly the haggis!

I have heard a couple of pipers play rock and roll on their pipes, and it works. There was a Toronto alt-rock band back in the 90s that was anchored around the pipes called Rare Air. Very good indeed. Saw them at Cest what a few times. Theres also a comedian, Johnny Johnstone who uses the pipes as part of his routine and he plays Zepplin and others as part of the gag.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Thanks guys for the (mostly ) kind words. Marc, that guy is absolutely practicing there for that very reason.

BTW Paulie, I got married in full kilt and regalia and we had a piper pipe Mrs. Atomic down the aisle at the wedding. So yes, I have all my own kit, including the KILT as it's called.

I think the pipes sound great and think it's very kool that you got married in a kilt. Something different. I'm just bustin em on ya

BTW, did you wear high heels with it?

Originally Posted by mailman

BTW, did you wear high heels with it?

First time I've been asked that... usually the question is did you go 'regimental?'.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

First time I've been asked that... usually the question is did you go 'regimental?'.

Or "Commando"

Originally Posted by mailman

Or "Commando"

Yup... good thing the kilt goes down to my knees.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Yup... good thing the kilt goes down to my knees.

[Alcan]

Btw, aren't the people who claim bagpipes to be music the same people who claim golf is a game?