Bag Pipe Player

Hi Sarah

Your Biznik post was referred to me thru Leila Anasazi. I'm also a member. I'm a bagpiper with lots of performance experience. I'd love to play at your friend's wedding.

This year will be my fourth year as the Resident Bagpiper At the Golf Club At Newcastle.My web site is www.neilbagpiper@hotmail.com

Please contact me either by email at neilHbagpiper@hotmail.com or phone 425-444-3622

Thanks! Neil

I was hopping someone would reply to this :)

Playing the bag pipes is something I haven't done yet, and was wondering where one would go around the Seattle area to actually learn how? Can you 'rent' a bag pipe? (thinking back to my band days in high school) Do they cost many thousands of dollars to buy? Are they safe to play at home with small children? (how many decibels are they again?) I'd like to learn how if its not too expensive and can fit it into my schedule :)

Now that I think about it, you could hold a biznik event to give people a 30min bag pipe lesson and let people try it out :) It would be more fun with more laughs than a karaoke night :)

I also teach lessons, at my home in Kirkland.

When learning the bagpipe you start on an instrument called the practice chanter. It's similar to a recorder. You get the basics of the fingering down and learn a few tunes before moving on to conquor the Great Highland Bagpipe. A practice chanter costs about $70.

Since a full set of pipes costs about $1500 and up it's a low cost way to see if you're going to like it enough to invest in pipes. I personally wouldn't consider "renting" such a personal instrument and don't let anyone else play mine.

With respect to their loudness, they have a permanent volume setting of 11. About 112 db measured at the ear of the player. Bloody Loud! What? So I always wear a pair of custom fitted musicians earplugs available from any audiologist. Though the damage to my ears was already done by the Ramones.

Yeah, it would be fun to get the Biznikers together for a wee blow. On the pipes.

Get in touch if you'd like a lesson, or a piper for a St. Patrick's Day party!