Okay, I know it's overdone. Some people are tired of it. Some people can't get enough of it. (They even want it played at their funerals even though they won't hear it! ;)
But for those of you who can't get enough Amazing Grace, and even for those who think they're sick of hearing it -- I strongly suggest you give a listen to this one; probably the best version you can find on YouTube. (Photos of the Highlands aren't bad either!)
the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards made this tune really popular in the early 1970's by releasing it into the pop charts, I think it went to number 1 i do know that it went Gold and is on show in Edinburgh Castle. personally I really dont like the tune but it is the one that makes me the most money by requests (i pipe).
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The United States and the United Kingdom, two countries separated with the same language.
To answer your question HBlake, its hard but not "too" hard to play the pipes. There are only 9 notes (low G to high A on the scale) but there are a number of embellishments (the little "extra" notes that separate the melody notes. Since the chanter sounds constantly, there has to be something to break them up....)
Initially, you start by learning the fingerings and tunes on a practice chanter. After you master that you can start working on transferring that to the pipes... the hard part there is trying to play the tune, tap your foot and blow and squeeze all at the same time!
It can take anywhere from 6 months to a few years to get up on the pipes.
You can order a polypenco (plastic) practice chanter with reed and the "College of Piping Tutor Book I" from several places for around $80.00. Stay away from the Pakistan made chanters (and pipes) and get one made of the high quality plastic or African Blackwood (which are more expensive.) http://www.aberdeenbagpipe.com/store/20191.html
A set of pipes can cost you anywhere from $1200.00 and up (way up)
I bought a set of McCallum AB2 Deluxe with a case for about $1500.00 last year...
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Is truagh a’bhantrach a’ phiob. "Poor is the bagpipe when widowed."