$130 Pakistani Amazon Bagpipes VS My Henderson Pipes (HD) | Unboxing

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

WOW! Never realized how much work setting up pipes is -- good pipes or poor -- *WOW* -- appreciate all of your testing here and also showing us all of that effort!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kevinhendryx665]

It can't be emphasized enough that Matt already KNOWS WHAT TO DO for an ailing set of pipes! And it's a lot of work, it ain't easy, and it requires supplies and experience the average newbie buyer of these cheap sets simply does not have. The typical newbie enthusiast who receives these pipes won't even have a clue where to begin to set them up and work on fixing their (many) flaws. That person will struggle and likely fail and maybe give up all hopes of ever playing the bagpipe, which would be a shame.

[@johnnickpappanastos3382]

Sad, but true indeed Kevin!

[@jimhood1202]

So true. I was (still am) that newbie and spent countless hours trying to work out what was possible with pipes like these. The answer is not that much. Yes they can made to play but they will never sound like "real" pipes and will likely dis rather than en courage a wannabe Piper. I just wish the entry cost of a real instrument wasn't quite so expensive. Perhaps I'll stick with the harmonica. 😉

[@fartwrangler]

Everybody who knew what they were talking about told me NOT to buy Pakistani pipes, but did I listen? Noooo. I paid twice this much for my exotic wall-hanging. Well, sometimes learning is painful. Listen to the man: far, far better to save your money and buy a set of real pipes.

[@Max-The-Axe]

How Much is a real set? I don’t want to spend a lot of money I would like to learn to play just a few songs.

[@scottishbananaclan]

I am a piper who bought my first set of full pipes for $500. They played great and were a 60 year old refurbished set from Ireland. That deal took some time. But if you are not a piper dont buy a real set of pipes. Too much maintenance. Buy a decoration set. But if you are a piper then spend good money on a pipe.

[@pipthepiper]

@@Max-The-Axe $1200. You should either commit or play your bagpipe music on Spotify

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

Why do they make tons of bagpipes in Pakistan? That's a heck of a long way from Scotland. What's the connection?

[@athompso99]

@@dickJohnsonpeter firstly, there's a long tradition of pipes (not the same, but still pipes) in that part of the world - centuries before pipes were being played in Scotland. Secondly, they were (part of India,) a British colony that functioned like a Victorian version of Japan/Taiwan/China in the 20th/21st centuries - cheap labor.

[@greendryerlint]

I've always found bagpipe music interesting and compelling... when in the right mood for it. This was an intriquing random video to watch on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately I'm apparently a masochist as I watched this with a significant hangover and bad headache, and even with the sound turned most of the way down, at times the testing of the cheap pipes sounded like hateful intercourse between a dying moose and an angry duck. Kudos for an interesting video though. When you played your good set of pipes it was like finally tuning in a radio station that was a bit off and a great relief to my head.

[@popetristn]

I have to say - The sad reality of this is that, for someone who is just beginning and doesn't really know what to expect - it's incredibly disheartening to get pipes like these and try to make them work. If you have no idea what you're doing, you think it's your fault. My first pipes were, in fact, bought from a place called Lark In The Morning and they were Pakistani pipes. I had gotten a practice chanter ahead of owning them but (and this was pre-internet), when I tried to transition to playing them, it was near impossible. The bag was leather and leaked all over the place - a fact that I wasn't aware of until years later. I would be blowing my butt off trying to get a sound out of it. Watching this video brought back such memories...You figure if Matt can't get a sound out of them, how in the world was I going to get a sound out of them?

[@laylamajnun8537]

I would love to learn. I have a lot of experience playing musical instruments. I have dabbled with practice chanter but find it more difficult than other folk woodwinds I have played such as penny whistle, Shanai, etc. Once I was allowed to try a friend's bagpipes and I managed to get a okay sound out of it. I don't find the practice chanter particularly interesting and sometimes I wonder if I should try getting a real set of pipes, but maybe I'm just not good enough. My wife finds the practice chanter annoying and banished it from the house, but I can play in my cabin in the woods. Not sure if I want to invest in lessons. Once I had a chance to get free lessons from a guy at work but I don't have the job anymore and I lost contact. He's a pretty good piper.

[@thought-provokingvideos5464]

CEO of Amazon is worth 99 billion rn thanks to pipes like that and more! Come on!

[@KirkTeetzel]

Can I ask...what is the lowest priced beginner you suggest? I'm actually thinking of starting to begin

[@randallECTRIC]

Pakistan and the Levant of ancient times had their own bag and reed instruments..bagpipes are not exclusive to Ireland and Scotland ..in fact the Celtic type affiliates all stem from Phoenician roots...so place has no bearing on quality only the brand owner

[@yuriokada9438]

That’s true, I used to play German style medieval bagpipes that are a bit different from Scottish bagpipes - he‘s not trying to say that Pakistani (or any none-Scottish) bagpipes are rubbish! He’s talking about the cheap, poorly made stuff you can buy online which is often made in Pakistan or neighbouring countries. I’m sure that any real piper and traditional musician in Pakistan wouldn’t buy this crap but rely on instruments that were made by a real craftsperson! Authentic bagpipes, no matter in which region they are played, are expensive

[@declanmatheson1477]

Me and my friends bought a set of these pipes off ebay one night in a bout of absolute recklessness. Unfortunately we fell too much in love with the idea of parading around campus playing the bagpipes and were quite downhearted when we faced the reality that what we had bought sucked. Definitely going to save up to buy true bagpipes!

[@ianlombardo9758]

If you’ve never played the pipes before, I don’t recommend buying a full set of pipes until you’ve mastered the practice chanter. Not a piper, just spreading the wisdom of my late uncle who played the pipes up until his unexpected passing 11 years ago

[@Fabtech44]

Hahaha the look on your face when you gave up on the drones 😂!! Entertaining, to say the least. This is why you buy quality instruments people. You probably just saved people a lot money.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I hope this can become the go-to shared video whenever the topic of Pakistani bagpipes gets mentioned and why they're a bad idea...

[@Fabtech44]

One can only hope lol

[@johnhuddleston8647]

@@MattWillisBagpiper When I first started playing, back in 1985, Pakistani-made pipes were what my parents bought me. Tuning the drones were an IMPOSSIBILITY!!!

[@nubagpiper7431]

Ouch, didn't think they'd be worse than I imagined! I was wrong! Nice to see a cracking set of PH pipes tho.

[@saossurvive]

Bought some for my dad for his birthday... thank you for steering me in the right direction. I didn't take quality into consideration. Needless to say, I returned my Amazon bags and got some McCallum brand ones. Sick shit man, thanks for putting this video out there 🤘

[@restojon1]

How did I get here? I'm a semi pro Luthier who predominantly builds bass guitars yet watching you "autopsy" these bagpipes was entirely fascinating.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad to have you here! And happy you enjoyed the video!

[@andrewcolin9662]

Hello Matt I have the same one with me, it was delivered in a case with a combination lock until I got the playable I had to put some more money into it A canmore bag new professional reeds After two years it is playable But I would rather save and get a dealer's son or buy a Mc Callum But I've already learned a lot from you. Thank you and greetings from Germany

[@ajsliter]

This is interesting. In my youth I wanted bagpipes for Christmas. Parents got me a cheap pair of Pakistani pipes and found out the hard way. The drones were just for show and plugged despite claiming they could be playable. The seal on the blow pipe was so flimsy I couldn't get enough pressure for the chanter reed (preinstalled) to sound at all and when I pressed on the bag there was air feedback into my mouth so all I got out of it without taking it apart was a nasally low pitched "hurn" sound coming from the blowpipe due to the shoddy air seal. I took it apart and finally blew straight into the Reed and it sounded for the first time. The tone wasn't great, but that sure made me proud after hours of trying to do it the traditional way and failing miserably. It also allowed me to find out my affinity for double Reed instruments and the rest with my bassoon was history.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

That was me when I was 13 years old.

[@NorthernExposure20]

When you started playing the whole bagpipe, I burst out laughing at the drones

[@dedogster]

I have family that are pipers, I never relised how complex thease are, thanks for showing me how it works!

[@ericnotto7408]

He said "I need to bring the F up" while he was playing part Highland Cathedral. My wife heard him said "you need to put them the f down and pick up the Henderson pipes!" 😂 She is traumatized from my poor attempts at playing Amazon pipes. Those attempts did make it easier for her to deal with me practicing my Henderson pipes!

[@gordonpeden6234]

Yep! Been there done that; got the T shirt! Wasted a good 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back messin' with Pakistani pipes and reeds. For those of you thinking of buying some, Don't do it! I kept it together pretty well, but ended up muttering before flying into full melt down and retiring to have a tranquilizer or two (Single Malt works best)

[@SirCodsworth]

those drones sound like drunk bees

[@n9sferatu261]

Beetarded bees

[@derekharkins2572]

That made me spit up my drink.. :-D

[@n9sferatu261]

@@derekharkins2572 👍

[@jazzman1626]

Ha ha it sounded like some cows were singing along. Phoebe Buffey did a better impression of bagpipes when she sang along to Ross’s attempt 😂😂😂.

[@n9sferatu261]

@@jazzman1626 fax

[@JBrooksNYS]

I bought a Pakistani practice chanter at a guitar shop on a whim years ago. It sounded terrible but that was the start of my bagpipe journey. I started playing around with it on my own and eventually found some lessons from a great teacher.

[@chadgarrison5220]

The look on your face! While you’re playing the Amazon pipes!! 🤣😂😂

[@dennisdudley4419]

Matt,my name is Dennis Dudley, a military piper in West TN. I have traded comments with you about various subjects about pipes and uniforms, in particular the horse hair sporran. I made a discovery rather by accident over the course of the weekend. I was playing at one of the local veteran clubs, and this clumsy, intoxicated girl,spills her drink all over my horse hair sporran, so needless to say, I had to wash it. I used almost a full bottle of shampoo on it, and for some unknown reason, I did the conditioner, a full bottle, I let it set in for like a half hour, rinsed it out, used a blow dryer, and I was really surprised by the results. It is so soft and silky shiney now, that I tell my fellow pipers," Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!!"

[@micregil]

Ten years ago when I started shopping for my first set of pipes, I almost bought a cheap set of Pakistani pipes, but I kept doing research and saving my money, I finally purchased a nice set of Peter Hendersons with the nickle ferrules, mounts, slides, and ring caps, then last year I purchased an antique set of R. G. Hardie pipes that I really like a lot. I'm just glad I waited and saved up for a nice set to start with. I meant to also say that your new set of Hendersons are a really good looking set of pipes, I'd like to get a set of those but there's others I'm also interested in purchasing before then.

[@ratg1957]

I played in a pipe band back in the 70s. My Dad sold my pipes to a tourist for $100. I had a similar experience with Pakistani pipes in 1990, learned my lesson…….Bought a second hand set of pipes but haven’t been able to play them yet, one try and I am going to buy a new Henderson set. This was inspiring in an odd way!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

These modern Henderson bagpipes are fantastic instruments. :) :)

[@fredperry7697]

I have laughed a lot at the comparison of the 2 sounds at the end :)) Thanks for the video man

[@fredperry7697]

Me too! 😂

[@wonka2112]

You just took me down a very real nightmare I experienced 16 years ago with Pakistan pipes from eBay. Thankfully, my desire to play the pipes, prompted me to put the money down on some Gibson Highland pipes. My advice for new folks, save your money and get the real thing. If you are determined and serious about playing, you could probably be able to find a decent playable set for around $1500 to $1700. Like all things, you get what you pay for. Great video friend.

[@stansmith4054]

I purchased a Pak set from Lark In the Morning years ago as my first set. After I put in synthetic drone reeds and replaced stock chanter with a name brand chanter it played quite well. But as stock with it's original Pak chanter and reeds, it was basically unplayable. But by the time I purchased a name brand chanter and name brand reeds, I could almost spent the same and got a base version Dunbar set (which is what I have now)!

[@joshuaisbell9174]

I still think a set of McCallum poly pipes (or similar brand) is one of the best first sets of pipes a new player can buy. $800 or so gets you a solid set of pipes that’ll last forever with little maintenance. Even experienced pipers fall back on them when they have to play outside in poor weather.

[@surfdigby]

26:40 When I was 4 years old, I left my Major Morgan (the talking organ) out in the rain. The electronics got wet, and he gave out some very strange notes. I'm having a flashback to that day,

[@marlatovcocktails1019]

Bwaaahaha! Found this vid after sending back my $130 bagpipes! Sounded identical! Loved the comparison! Laughed heartily and ordered me MacCallum bagpipes the very next day from Henderson's! 😊

[@richardtallach7104]

Very interesting. It would be interesting to hear one of the Pakistani or Indian pipe bands playing their own tunes on good quality pipes and brought up to a high level of playing.

[@granell]

Thank you for this comparison Matt! I am not a piper, but a lover of music. I play several instruments at a very low level. I have a set of kitchen pipes that I paid $299.00 for. I have found that in any musical instrument a person may purchase, you get what you pay for. I now would like to know, if I spend approximately $1400.00, will I have something I am happy with as a beginner?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Sorry I missed this comment or I would have answered sooner! For $1400, you can definitely get a great set of pipes. Check out the AB0 from either R.G. Hardie or McCallum. Both are quality blackwood pipes, just a bit on the simpler side to keep costs down. With a Bannatyne or Canmore bag, a set of Ezeedrone reeds, and a good easy chanter reed, you'll be good to go!

[@thesuper8mm1]

Last time I heard a sound like the drones was loading cattle and hit one on the hinney with a hotrod "LOL"

[@lancasterroentegen616]

😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rajgill7576]

Never even seen a bagpipe video at all before. Much more complicated than I could have imagined

[@daledoody]

I'm a totally newbie to the bagpipes, this is interesting, yet it concern's myself whether I've bitten off more than i can chew, considering I'm just about to get my first chanter, although I play a saxophone, it seems very complicated. Thanks for the eye opener ad insight of whats ahead.

[@russellvitale2228]

Loved this video. It answered all my silly questions, like what's this for, where's this go. My shipment came three days ago but the manual was reproduced & reduced to the point it was useless. Without this video I would have got the bagpipes together.

[@n9sferatu261]

I would suggest lightly sanding the Adjustable drone reeds and then springing them it might but then again pakpipes

[@FirstnameLastname-uh4rk]

Pakpipes, lol. Funniest comment here.

[@CaberFeidh]

Great set, as long as you are buying them to nail them to the pub wall for decorations

[@iamwarlock1292]

Saw these on Amazon - thank goodness I checked this video before trying them out.

[@PiperStart]

Well done, the scientific method used for bagpipes. Very entertaining - I have four very old Afghan pipes, and one recent set of McCallum polyprenco pipes for my learners.

[@ravensmythe1]

During this lockdown I ordered a similar set (just to learn), I am very glad to have found your channel! No instruction booklet with mine so learning to put it all together and where the reeds and plugs go is a huge help!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad I could help!

[@trackerrowe1054]

Been toying with the idea of crafting my own. Finding the measurements is the hard part

[@bobcacciatore]

Wonderful informative video! All reed instruments are subject to these same issues. You’re only going to assume you can’t play the instrument. Cheap harmonica’s the same... they require excessive air, they shut down early and wheeze (leak air). The best you can hope for is correct pitch and in this example that was a complete failure - that said there should be an option between $1000 and a non- working $100 toy, just as there are $50 harmonica’s and $5 toys yet there are highly functional options at less than $25

[@piawester9245]

There are. I got my first set for 450€ from a good bagpipe builder that is known in the Community of my Country. It works fine. Its made of plastic and has nothing fancy going on. Its perfect for learning. One day i want to get a fancy 1000€ and above One though

[@TheC.O.-VISIT]

Wow that was brutal. When it comes to pipes the price says it all, and where they're made. The Pakistani chanter was so flat, the blow pipe and the drones were so horrible placed, one drone looked like it comes out sideways from the bag 🤣 what a disaster. The Scottish pipes though, beautiful.

[@NorthOlbo]

Expensive kindling for the fire. Great video trying to get them working though.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can watch a similar set burn at the end of this great video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX7WXoOHrtt1f5o

[@user-lj3tx4dz8y]

when i first started i got a set like this. I played them for a year. all new reeds and you gotta open up some holes and they were great for starting. I got a different blow pipe as well. so all and all $200 got me started when i was unsure if i would even stick to playing. yeah they were garbage but they served their purpose.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

My first set was Pakistani made, and like yours, I could make them play, even if they sounded pretty bad. I was shocked when I couldn't actually get this instrument to function. In the second part, I attempt to use Scottish-made reeds in the instrument, hoping it would improve things, but alas, they wouldn't even sound... kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIewfaKBrK2Zfpo

[@rileybeach3984]

I'm really glad I watched this video, before just falling for it. About 6 years ago, I got a practice set of Uilleann Pipes from Pakistan. Big mistake! I never got even a simple tune out of it. The end of the hose was already broken. The air trap valve came off after a few tries. $160 wasted. I'm really glad I watched this video, before buying a set of...decoration. I want to get one of those practice bagpipes made by Bagpipes Galore in Edinburgh. They have all good reviews.

[@HuskReeds]

Come on Matt and get that next video up already! lol I'm dying to see it. I think a lot of us have tried this experiment. :)

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha!! But none of you filmed it! Soon enough, my friend...

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Here's part 2! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIewfaKBrK2Zfpo

[@richardhoward526]

I know nothing about the subject but found this both entertaining and enjoyable. Thanks

[@jimhood1202]

What a great video. I wish I had seen it ten years ago when I bought a set of Pakistani pipes (second hand). At the time I was planning to use them for a Burns Supper as a prop but they guy I bought them from said they would play so of course I had to try. I'm not a Piper but I stuck with the set up for ages and eventually got them to play more or less in tune. This kind of set up by someone who knows what they are trying to achieve would have been invaluable.

[@inregionecaecorum]

I think the same could most likely be said for the Pakistani "Irish" Flute too. I have a similar piccolo of very dubious manufacture. It is playable, just.

[@tracywilson1356]

I think this is the same principle as buying a violin. You can buy a cheap “violin shaped object” that sounds vaguely like one, or you can invest in a good quality violin. $200 violin, even with good stirrings, sounds nothing like a $2000 violin, and that’s even with cheap strings on it. Sound quality is monumentally different.

[@JustFiddler]

true

[@wiktoriamrozowicz6215]

Exactly. Factory made cheap instrument won't ever sound like handcrafted luthier instrument.

[@scarfy310]

i don't know shit about bagpipes, just always loved them. randomly found this video and your thorough knowledge of your instrument was captivating. thanks for the eye opening video! 🤙🏾

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for watching the video!

[@Beekeeper911]

Thank you so much for your video. I was given an old cheap set of pipes and wanted to learn how to repair and play them. I had no idea about the complexity of their construction❣️ I now realize that I have a huge amount to learn. At least I know that some of the poor tuning and reed issues is not all my fault🤦‍♀️ I will now watch all your other videos and hope I can save for proper pipes❣️❣️❣️

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You could try going through them step by step like I show in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onPSpYmdibx8htU

[@l0rdcroissant]

wow after watching you I feel like an pro now lol so question I have as someone that wants to learn... is the Chanter too loud to practice in an apartment? lol, don't wish to annoy my neighbors

[@clonie9963]

I live near the Pakistani consulate in Glasgow Scotland and they have had a pipe band over a few times for events. Pretty good pipers. No idea what pipes they had though...

[@thepipingsparrow]

I started with a used set of Dunbar P3s. At least they were real pipes.

[@cbacarolyn]

I’ve always been curious about bagpipes and love the sound. My friend’s neighbor found a set in their house when they moved in, and I ended up with them, brought them home today. Of course, I know sh*t about anything bagpipey, except I know a quality musical instrument. This ain’t it. These are remarkably similar to yours, including the black duffel, except the bag is leather, they aren’t painted black, and the bag cover is red plaid. My main goal was to get a sound out of them. And thanks to you, I got a couple of squawks out of the chanter. I’m thinking I might call that good enough, and use them as a prop for future projects.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The earlier sets would often have leather bags. And many are a red/brown wood rather than painted black. But unfortunately, none of them are playable... They do make decent props and wallhangings!

[@cbacarolyn]

I’m going to employ the magic of bagpipes on my speaker as I “play” them and see what that video looks like.

[@jgdragonflame]

This was super interesting! I'm mainly a bass player (guitar and upright), but I've always wanted to learn the bagpipes. Obviously these are not really viable. In your opinion, what's the least somebody could spend for a set of playable beginner pipes? Trying not to break the bank, but I'd really love to get some. What should I look for?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If you wanted to start learning, you’ll need a practice chanter (less than $100). More info here: bit.ly/BasicsPipes As for playable “inexpensive” bagpipes, the McCallum P0 plastic bagpipe would be your best bet at around $800.

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

I can't believe I was glued to this brilliant video. Its just addictive. I would preferred to see some close up workings of the reed assy. Regrettably not musical and it's too late for me to learn now but would love a try. I can't believe anybody wanting to buy a bagpipe set even to learn on would consider buying something like that from Amazon. As you proved there, you got exactly what you paid for. A non working set. Technically they should be sent back for a refund. 👍👍👍👍. BTW - what also interested me, you are not Irish or Scottish but a brilliant and dedicated player.

[@Noskunk4me]

The Pakistani bagpipe sounds like a wood chipper. My ears loved it when you switched over to your Henderson bagpipe.

[@savedtolive]

Do you think if you upgrade the drone reeds, add a moose valve and replace the leather bag with a synthetic one that it would be playable?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Nope. Tried in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIewfaKBrK2Zfpo

[@kainhall]

every year the Saskatoon pipe band marches through glasgow montana for homecoming . so i love me some pipes!!!

[@kevinhendryx665]

Ouch! I feel so sorry for folks who buy cheap pipes from the subcontinent, looking for a bargain or simply confused.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I was really hopping the quality on these pipes had gone up since my last experience over 20 years ago, but alas, if anything, these were demonstrably worse...

[@1979cl1]

Kevin Hendryx, you count me in because i'm one of those who made the same mistake investing a cheap $200 pakistani set 29 years ago when i started learning to play the pipes by an experaince piper and bought me a real set a year later, an RG Hardies that really kicks in.

[@alexanderstrang5041]

the sound is not that good real squeaky matt, i was wondering , should i join a school or just try for a bit on my own, at my age school stresses me out, to be told what to Do.

[@kstiubhard7058]

My first set of pipes was a sheesham wood set from Sialkot, and just as you said, they provided me with hours of frustration, and did not set me up for success or real music. I have seen there are some plastic pipes from the mid east now, plastic chanters and drones. I wonder if they are any more playable than the wooden ones. Of course, now that I have some quality made pipes, I will never look back, and would never recommend anything less than a quality set from a reputable maker to anyone else.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I hadn't heard about Pakistani-made plastic pipes, but I have to agree, I'll stick with the quality makers I know in North America, Scotland, England, and Europe.

[@kstiubhard7058]

@@MattWillisBagpiper www.robertsonco.com/category.php?id_category=8 These are the ones I saw. They also make some clear plastic ones, like Ayrshire Bagpipe Company does. I have also seen some on ebay a while back made in India, said they were ebonite. I'm just a curious guy, but I don't think I am ready to plunk down my hard earned cash for an experiment.

[@nickvillano5264]

I've never heard an instrument sound sad and in pain before. wow.

[@dirtybob2633]

Luckily I was born Scottish, and get cheap tuition for learning and good quality bagpipes with my district pipe band.

[@lukesylvester2022]

lucky

[@sonofculloden2]

So was I - just born in Canada - can I cash in on that? I’ve got the same DNA. Lol.

[@robertbarrineau5931]

Awesome video Matt!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Robert Barrineau Thank you!

[@johnsonwoodproducts6641]

Thanks friend. I’m looking to purchase a set of pipes to learn on (chanter only first, of course) and I’d seen these very inexpensive pipes on Amazon & thought: “Well…maybe just for starters..” After watching this I know…nah.

[@geckomage]

this is a great video that really gives a nice look into how bag pipes work and are tuned and such. Also thanks for saving people 130 dollars lol.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad to help!

[@mumo9413]

'Bagpip' 🤣 'Wet suit material' This was genius, actually was laughing out loud! I originally watched to try & learn parts etc. Had my first Chanter lesson today age 50! Fell in love with the pipes, 18mths old while visiting family in Scotland. Always wanted to learn. Its taken me 5 decades but, finally starting ! This was fantastic! Could you please tell me the name of the tuning app? Keen to learn. Thanks so much! Rung the bell!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@people-jn5wz]

I got a $180 pair and they could have used a bit of tuning though they sounded pretty decent and usable for solo playing... at a distance from people

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If you got yours to even play, they were better than this set...

[@people-jn5wz]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Ha!

[@pemacal57]

I agree completely with you.....

[@borelandfamily]

The cane tenor drone reed sounds like a cow!

[@filipb2630]

when using cane reeds you need to put some thread between the body of the reed and the tounge of the reed near the bottom so it stays open a little bit

[@tonyyero7231]

Thank you for sharing! Always wanted to play since I was 13 years old...finally, tried with chanter when I was 35 but then quit due to career move etc. Now 56 and just about the only thing I regret! Lol Too old at this point.. Love the information! Many thanks.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

56 ain't too old! If you got a practice chanter, you can get started with my Basics playlist! bit.ly/BasicsPipes

[@patriciaharris9912]

I started in high school and got quite good. Then like you, life happened and from College to age 74 I did not play. Then I started again and loving every minute! Matt has helped me and I’m now playing for memorials? Funerals, a wedding, honor guards on military holidays. You CAN do it🧒

[@McCRBen]

Get a teacher and practice !

[@jackieramsay2401]

I'm 47 and started playing a year ago! Really enjoying it and almost ready to purchase a set of pipes.

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

BASS player here, wanted to play the pipes in high school, we got stuck with plastic recorders. Looking for a beginner bagpipe.Thank you for the wonderfull infos.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Any bagpipe from McCallum or R. G. Hardie would work great for a beginner, though first you need a practice chanter! More info here: bit.ly/BasicsPipes

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you for the info, been shoppin around, now checkin your adress, very kind of you...

[@XY_Dude]

and Matt is a pro! Imagine a lowly beginner or novice getting these and trying to get them workable! (off to the pipe fixer! $$)

[@alreist4907]

Great detailed explanation and demonstration. Liked the part about brushing teeth before playing. Should do that before playing our bagpipe as well. Thanks for all your lessons.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@montyzumazoom1337]

I wish I learnt to play the bagpipes as a youngster but I missed the chance. I was in the Boys Brigade, in a company based on the south coast of England. For some reason they had a bagpipe and drum band, and on joining the senior section at 11 years old, I was asked which instrument I wanted to play. I chose the bagpipes. I had just started to learn to play and used to take the chanter home to learn, when there was a bit of an upset in the company which resulted in the band instructor leaving. So that's as far as I got. We got another band leader and instead of bagpipes we ended up with a bugle and drum band (I was lead bugler both for the both the company and local battalion bands). I do have a claim to fame though... Before the previous band leader left, we cleaned and seasoned the pipes and bags one evening in the church hall kitchen. I have never come across anyone else that I know of since who has seasoned a bagpipe bag with a warmed up black treacle mixture. The bags were natural and to keep them supple we would pour in a warm mix of black treacle and water and massage the bags for a while before finishing and reassembling the pipes. It was quite therapeutic massaging the old bags and the experience put me in good stead when I married my first wife!!! I would have loved to have learned the pipes, I'm not Scottish but it would have been a great party piece to be able to properly play them...

[@marshallfairbrother7602]

Wow! I ended up here looking for information in micing up bagpipes for recording as I'm a recording engineer but usually specialise in recording rock music. I feel like if I'm asked to record pipes and know what I'm doing in terms of mic placement and eq / compression I'll be OK if the musician is good at their instrument. was not expecting it to sound this bad.

[@ronaldwoodaman5028]

I have a set of pakistani pipes from mid-80s that were my starter pipes. They were made with appears to be african blackwood. They are literally the only ones I know of that are good pipes. Of course, I play my Robertson's now, but I keep these as knockabout set to loan to beginners.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'd love to see photos of your Robertsons! One of my all time favorite instrument makers ever

[@The_Butler_Did_It]

26:10 reminds me of a cartoon I once saw, the top half had an angel on a cloud handing out harps to the newly dead saying "Welcome to Heaven". The bottom half had a devil against a fiery backdrop handing out bagpipes saying "Welcome to Hell"

[@Piper_demi.]

I have a proper set of bagpipes and they work really well

[@jamesgifford8291]

I see the difference the one from Amazon are somewhat playable. I think spending more is a good idea

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

On the follow up video, even the supplied reeds stopped working, and “real” Scottish bagpipe reeds wouldn’t work either. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIewfaKBrK2Zfpo

[@DavidJJames]

Nice to see the Anderson tartan.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

My pipe band’s tartan! We love it!

[@MrPiperian]

your Hardies are CLOSE to my set, the engravings on yours are very nice.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

What model and year Hardie's do you play?

[@MrPiperian]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I don't know the year, but I have a pic of Bob Hardie holding a set exactly like mine. That pic was in 1976 at a pipe band competition. Do you know of a way to ascertain the yr a set of Hardies were made?!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

@@MrPiperian Unfortunately, there really isn't much of a way to determine the year. Rather wish they stamped the year on the sets!

[@tanzeemulhassan6]

MrPiperian sir im maker full set music you need this my whtsapp number 00966507962932

[@patriciaharris9912]

Hilarious, Matt! It says it all. I really got a good laugh on thus one! Pat

[@elizabethwilson5349]

Another issue with the Pakistan bagpipes is that the rose wood many of them are made of quickly deteriorates and begins to crumble. I have a set of them that are used for students as an example of what NOT to buy. They do not get played, and they are falling apart.

[@wiktoriamrozowicz6215]

I had the sand with £150 Pakistani made Irish flute. It was extremely hard to make any sound of it and it cracked after a few months. I got maker made Rosewood flute 700e and the difference was massive.

[@ronaldwoodaman5028]

The old trick for the shutting down cane drone was to put a strand of air under the tongue. Works like a charm.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It can. Often I found holds the tongue open a bit far. Maybe the hairs I'm using were too thick. ;)

[@andyburns2290]

Hey bro, great stuff. What is the app your using for tuning on your iPad in the video??

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

iStroboSoft by Peterson

[@room1271]

hahaha!!! your face in the comparison at the end. lol

[@Cailean_MacCoinnich]

Thanks for the detailed review of this cheap pipes. Unfortunately the conclusion seems to be that they are useless, and will do so much harm to a beginners motivation, that it might just put someone off completely. I'd say that as a wall decoration these can look "pretty", but they are definitely not a real instrument. Never has the old adage "You get what you pay for" been so true. I'm subscribing to your channel and look forward to my own bagpipe journey. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@LesliePiper]

I have a P set too and not even the bag works. It was Bday "Gift"...as I once said that if I ever laid my hands on a set of these, I'd try to get it to work as a learning experience. Still prefer using my Kintails ;)

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'd have to agree your Kintails are a superior choice.

[@roflmows]

at 26:00 for the love of GOD, turn down your PC volume unless you want to faint from the hideous audible sewage pouring out of your speakers....or god forbid your headphones D:

[@rogerbillings6151]

:) That outside tenor drone is practically sticking out the side of the bag. :D

[@walley2637]

it seems the amazon pipes would be a good choice for calling cats. mine came running as soon as you started playing it.

[@chrisgriffith9252]

Started blowing on the drones and the ducks responded in kind. Had to subscribe.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for the sub!

[@ReidHenderson]

Being of Scotch Irish Heritage and being a Henderson from South Carolina i feel I should buy some Henderson bagpipes!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hard to go wrong with the modern Henderson pipes. Or the classic ones. Simply remarkable instruments.

[@tehs3raph1m]

Wow, I made some bagpipes out of straws and 2 latex gloves that sounded better than those Pakistani pipes. Glad I missed this mistake. Time to go bug that uncle to pass down a set of pipes.

[@lancasterroentegen616]

The tenor drone sounded just like a donkey

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! It sounded like a number of things, I just don't think of of them were bagpipes!

[@doumkatekz]

@@MattWillisBagpiper and all of them were pretty drunk. In different keys.

[@leone.6190]

My neighbours would murder me... :D I wish I had an own house. 🤣