HOW TO BUY BAGPIPES the

SMART WAY

The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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About The Piper’s Dojo If you’re new to the Piper’s Dojo, you may be asking - what the heck is a Piper’s Dojo? Well, in a nutshell, we’re a business devoted to furthering the bagpipes (and bagpipe music) by providing great supplies and education to all of our customers. As a Dojo customer, you’ll see how bagpipes and drums can be more than just a hobby -- they can become a way of life. The Piper’s Dojo carries a full range of bagpipe supplies: African Blackwood Bagpipes, Polypenco Bagpipes, Blackwood and Plastic Bagpipe and Practice Chanters, Small Pipes, Maintenance Supplies, Hide Pipe Bags, Synthetic Pipe Bags, Moisture Control Systems,Pipe Cases, Drone Reeds, Chanter Reeds,Tuners, Metronomes, and More! We also carry Drumming Supplies, and Highland Wear (such as: Ghillie Brogues, Hose, Kilts, Argyll Jackets and Vests, Prince Charlie’s, Glengarries, and more). In addition to selling supplies, we also believe that great musical education is the best way to promote the piping and drumming community. We are devoted to teaching players of all levels how to play bagpipes. Our “Dojo University” online piping school (the first of its kind) is a way to get bagpipe lessons from the best bagpipers in the world from the comfort of home. We also offer bagpipe lessons locally in the Capital District Area of New York, and we also teach our students remote lessons using technology like Skype, Telephone, Email, and even Snail-mail! No-matter what your learning goals are, we will connect you with the best bagpipe teachers available. For those of you who want to learn how to play bagpipes on your own; we have solutions for you too. The Piper’s Dojo is a place where we discipline ourselves and improve ourselves to become better people. The bagpipes aren’t just an instrument to create music, but a tool to explore who we are. Embedded in every bagpipe lesson is a lesson about life. Here are some important places you should visit to learn more about the Piper’s Dojo: www.PipersDojo.com - this is our main site for online shopping and browsing products. www.DojoUniversity.com - our very own online piping school (the first of its kind) www.BagpipeNation.com - a social networking site for USA pipers and drummers. Also contains the Piper’s Dojo Blog!

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

Brief History of the Bagpipe At the Piper’s Dojo, we know and love the Great Highland Bagpipe. There are other types of bagpipes, but the GHB, in our opinion, is the greatest! Bagpipes have a chanter that plays 9 notes, which is accompanied by three drones. There are two “tenor” drones (high pitched) and one “bass” drone (low pitched). The pipes as we know them today evolved and emerged from the Highlands of Scotland (and arguably Ireland) over many centuries. They are actually still evolving. Each year, the pitch of the pipes tends to increase. Different designs and materials are used in attempts to improve the sound. Some pipers are even experimenting with different scale tunings. The concept of the bagpipes (the bag supplying air to a reeded instrument or instruments) can be traced back to long before Christ. We like to think that the Great Highland Bagpipe is the ultimate form of this concept, but we’re sure that Uillean Pipers, Border Pipers, Small-pipers, etc probably disagree.

The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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What are my pipes for? Purchasing bagpipes is a lot like buying a car. Unless you’re super rich (which neither bagpipe sellers nor car sellers will mind very much), you wouldn’t buy a 16-year-old new driver a brand new, totally customized Ferrari. Instead, you’d probably start with something basic. It would need to be good quality, so that the new driver could safely learn the basics, but spending too much on this first car would be unnecessary, and maybe even wasteful! Think about buying bagpipes in the same way - you need a set that will aid you in achieving your musical goals. Don’t spend too much - but going too cheap will cause regret in the end (trust me - we see that every day). Example 1: The Parade Piper There are some pipers out there who simply want to learn the basics, and march down the street with their local pipe band. We would recommend an affordable, durable polypenco set of pipes. No need to go over the top with blackwood and fancy silver and ivory. When the Parade Piper decides they want to reach the next level, sell (or even just keep) this set, and upgrade to a premium set that is dialed in on the ideal tonal quality, feel, and look. Example 2: The New Competitor A lot of pipers are just about ready to start solo-competing when they buy a set of pipes. For this, we recommend a simple blackwood set, but without too many frills. These pipes should last 5-10 years, and by the end of that they’ll be an expert. From there, they can upgrade to an amazing set that’s totally customized to their every whim and desire - but, for now, this set will look and sound the part of a piper that is focused on improvement. Example 3: The Expert Professional Piper By now, pipers know what they want. Hand-made, Sterling Silver, Engraving, specialized wood maybe even a legacy set from pre World-War 2 - You name it, we can get it for you!

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

What environment will my pipes be used / abused in? If you’re going to be playing in a lot of adverse conditions, you should carefully consider what style of bagpipe you buy. While bagpipes can handle heat, moisture, cold, etc., it’s the transition between different conditions that can really cause harm. Blackwood can crack if it goes from hot to cold too quickly, or from moist to dry. For those in parade bands, or those who play all year round at various outdoor events, you’ll want to explore options that have the least chance of becoming damaged. Perhaps a polypenco material is best for you - or, a low-cost blackwood set that wouldn’t cause the end of the world if something cracked. Needless to say, you’ll want a warrantee with your pipes as well.

How long do I want to keep these pipes? How long do you want these pipes to last? Will these be the mega-awesome set that lasts the rest of your life, or is this just a stepping-stone set that gets you to the point where you’re really for the mega-awesome set? Here’s what not to buy....

The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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What kind of material do I want? The material you choose for your pipes will play a role in the sound quality, look, durability, and price. Here’s a quick run-down.

Wood

• Blackwood • African Blackwood is grown in a small part of the world, and is a very dense and oily wood, making it ideal for musical resonance. • Blackwood is definitively the “ industry standard,” and here’s why: • Will last a really long time. • They’re not prone to cracking. • They’re easy to maintain • They produce a rich sound, arguably unparelled by any other material. • Mopani, Cocobolo, & others • There are other hard woods that can be used to make bagpipes like cocobolo, Mopani and others. These woods are all very similar to blackwood, but will produce a slightly different quality of tone, and you’ll need to explore the possibilities to get the wood that sounds the best to you. • These woods are famous also for their appearance, because they differ from the typical blackwood look. We almost always recommend simple blackwood, but if you want to take a different road, go for it!

Plastic

• Polypenco / Plastic • Polypenco is a plastic material that is super affordable, and produces a surprisingly decent tone! Let’s not kid ourselves though - this isn’t going to sound nearly as sweet and resonant as the real thing (blackwood). • Poly pipes used to be commonly called“imitation blackwood”because it could take on the same form as a blackwood set. Combing, beading, projecting mounts – you name it, poly can do it. • Poly pipes are awesome if you simply want to play a few tunes with your local parade band. However, if you’re serious about a good sound, you’ll look towards the blackwood end of the spectrum. • Often, pipers purchase a polypenco set as a backup for playing in bad weather, as it’s guaranteed not to get damaged by extreme conditions.

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

Do I want New Pipes? Used Pipes? Legacy Pipes? Again, we could talk for ages about whether new, used, legacy, etc. are the best option for you, but let’s just quickly hit the basics, so you know what you should consider.

New Pipes

• New pipes are free from defects that older pipes might have. • New pipes will have a warrantee that guaruntees them for a certain period of time. • Modern engineering makes new pipes most likely to work with modern reed designs, modern chanters, etc. • Precision tools used by the big pipe makers of today ensure that your new set will be exactly what was intended - some older sets have flaws caused by human error. • Buying a new set is the only way to get fully customizable set of pipes. Used and Legacy pipes come “as is.”

Used Pipes

• Used pipes are, generally speaking, more affordable than other sets. However, with the new CNC technology entering the market, the prices of new sets are being driven down to the point at which it can be hard to sell used pipes for much of a deal! If there’s any question, we recommend the new sets, for the reasons above.

Legacy Pipes

• Legacy Pipes are often seen at the very top levels of competition. The wood used in these pipes is generally a better/harder old growth that is more durable, and produces a great sound that, some say, can’t be produced with more recent harvests of blackwood. • Ivory - Yep, some older pipes use real ivory! For those who are against ivory, these may not be for you. But, for those who get excited about this rare and beautiful material, this might be a musthave. • Lastly, legacy pipes have a tradition and history behind them that won’t be matched by more modern sets. Some pipes went through one or more wars, or played a role in the history of a famous regiment. Some were from a famous generation of pipe makers; some were from a famous generation of pipers!

The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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What kind of adornments do I want? “Adornments” are the customizable features of your bagpipes. Have a look at the next couple of pages to learn the different parts of your bagpipe that you can customize to be exactly how you want them. The possibilities can get as fancy as you can imagine - but maybe you want a simpler look on many of these options?

Projecting Mounts Projecting Mounts, originally made from ivory, are now made from either standard ivory-colored plastic, or a yellowed marbled plastic, meant to imitate ivory. They can also be made from different types of wood or bone, including blackwood, Mopani, cocobolo, antler, tusk, etc. When buying pipes, think about what you’d like.

Slides Slides can simply be left alone as the blackwood of the main body of your drone segement, or they can be decorated with a metal of some kind. Silver, Nickel, and Aluminum are commonly used here. Have it engraved, or keep it plain.

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

What kind of adornments do I want?

Ferrules The Ferrule is almost always decorated with a metal or an (imitation) ivory of some kind. Fancier sets use engraved metal.

Soles The Sole of your Chanter is a lot like the Ferrule – the possibilities are endless!

Beading and Combing vs. Smooth Traditionally the wood is beaded and combed to offer a decorative texture to the wood. You can opt to have a “smooth” design, where this is left out. It’s totally up to you. The picture to the left shows typical “combing.”

The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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Who are the major makers? McCallum Kind of like the Kia or Hyundai of bagpipes McCallum is the world’s only “big mega corporation” for making bagpipes. Don’t get us wrong here, this is still a small business – but they have a pretty serious factory that pumps out bagpipes like there’s no tomorrow. They are very good quality, and are definitely a good option for most pipers. Some high-end players criticize McCallum for not having enough attention to detail. We find this improves more and more as time goes by. Not to mention, when you do have a problem with a McCallum set, a matching spare part can be sent out immediately, and you’ll be on the go again in no time. You won’t get that with smaller makers.

Naill Like a nice Toyota or Honda. Naill is famous for a great quality of sound, with a great workmanship. You’ll pay a bit more for Naills than you will McCallums, but you’ll get that much more out of them. The high-end Naills with custom silver and/ or engraving are amazing – they partner with a company that offers the best silverwork we’ve seen.

Gibson Like a Ford Gibson is the home-town maker from Ohio. While Gibsons aren’t world-renowned as being highly competitive bagpipes, we’ve never seen a bad set!

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

Who are the major makers? Dunbar What’s the Canadian version of a Ford? ;) Our Canadian Friends to the North make Dunbars, which are probably most famous for their economical Polypenco pipes. However, they also make really decent blackwood sets as well.

R.G. Hardie and Henderson Like a modern version of a VW bug or something - a vintage concept brought to the modern age. These bagpipes carry on in the tradition of the famous Hardie and Henderson pipes of the mid 1900s. Nowadays, the pipes from this era are now highly coveted by top players. Technically, the modern Hardie and Henderson pipes are not made by the same masterminds that made the originals - but, you’ll enjoy the same design, awesome workmanship, and a sound that really challenges the “real thing.”

Atherton We’ve saved the best for last.

Athertons are like a custom made Ferrari or Astin Martin. Dave Atherton works solo on your pipes and custom makes them with you in mind. You’ll be on a waiting list for about a year, and you’ll spend a good chunk of money on them, but there is simply no better craftsmanship happening on earth at the moment. Atherton is most famous for his replica MacDougall design, which takes the design of MacDougall drones, arguably the sweetest pipes ever made, and recreates them. Amazingly awesome customizations are available through Atherton as well. The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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Expert Opinion The last thing we want to cover is how important it is to get an expert’s opinion on all sorts of pipes before you buy. Don’t just jump into it without thinking about it. Not only are you spending a lot of money for pipes, but these are the pipes that will make or break your piping life. Don’t settle for second best. Don’t skimp on a cheaper set when you know you can stretch to the next best thing. At the Dojo, we realize there are about a million retailers you can get pipes from. We feel like we are best equipped to aid you in the buying process, and we can offer the best selection, shortest wait times, and the best products to set-up and maintain your pipes. However, we know that sometimes folks will find a “better deal” somewhere else. If so, we understand! We hope you’ll let us service your set further on down the road by offering you great supplies and educational opportunities.

Conclusion Thanks for reading our guide about how to buy bagpipes the smart way. We hope you’ll contact us with any questions, and, obviously, we hope you’ll send your business our way! If not, perhaps our paths will cross some time in the future, and in the meantime, happy piping! Best, Andrew Douglas and the Piper’s Dojo Team

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The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

My Bagpipe Check List My pipes are for: ___ The Parade Piper ___ The New Competitor ___ The Expert Piper My pipes will be played: ___ Often, and In varied weather conditions ___ No so often, in regular conditions I want my pipes to last: ___ FOREVER ___ Just until I can get my mega-awesome set The material I’d prefer would be ___ Blackwood ___ Mopani, Cocobolo, or other wood ___ Polypenco / Plastic I want: ___ New Pipes ___ Used Pipes ___ Legacy Pipes I’d like the following adornments: ___ Projecting Mounts ___ Slides ___ Ferrell ___ Soles ___ Beading and combing VS smooth

Call us at The Piper’s Dojo to discuss your bagpipe needs today! (518) 452-4988

The manufacturer I’d prefer is: ___ McCallum ___ Naill ___ Gibson ___ Dunbar ___ Atherton The Piper’s Dojo, LLC • www.PipersDojo.com • (518) 452-4988

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