16 Best Bagpipe Book Reviews 2022 (Best Books to Learn Bagpipe)

1. Ron Bowen, Sarajane Trier: Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method

Hal Leonard method to learn bagpipe requires no formal introduction. It is just the perfect and most recognized method all over the world that can help you learn how to play the Great Highland bagpipes.

This omnidirectional guide by Ron Bowen and Sarajane Trier would let you dive deep in the world of bagpipes with the right method. You can learn everything that you need to know about the legendary Hal Leonard method and start practicing in the perfect manner to master the style and start playing Bagpipe in no time at all.

2. Carolyn Keene: The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes

The book is not about learning how to play bagpipe or the basic instructions you might be expecting from a book. This cool masterpiece by Carolyn Keene is basically a novel focused on those who are just obsessed with the bagpipes and cannot get enough of it. With an immersive story and great narrative, you are going to dive deep into the world of mystery and adventure with a story revolving around bagpipes to keep your interest.

3. Hal Leonard Corp.: Standard Settings of Pipe Music Vol. 3

Scottish have adapted the bagpipes as their own and it has become customary for the royal Scott Guard to play bagpipes on any occasion. They have mastered the instrument like none other could, and to understand how you can achieve a similar perfection, this book by Hal Leonard Corp. allows you to understand the standard settings on the bagpipes that are used by the Scott Guards.

With the help of this book, you will be understanding how you can manage and maintain your bagpipes, keeping them on the best possible playing settings for any performance.

4. John MacLellan: Logan's Complete Tutor for the Highland Bagpipe

Highland Bagpipe is the form of the bagpipe that got highly popular and is being played all over the world now. This is a complete tutorial book featuring illustrations, diagrams, and elaboration on each of them, so you can learn the right approach towards playing the Highland Bagpipe.

The book also contains several reels and country dances for bagpipe for you to start practicing with. You just have to follow the instructions and everything that you are ever going to need to grow from a novice to advanced bagpipe player is right here in this book by John MacLellan.

5. Hugh Cheape: The Book of the Bagpipe

This masterpiece by Hugh Cheape is a bit old, and not recommended for anyone who is looking for a quick guide to learn playing the bagpipe. However, for those who have a thing for literature and love to read historical pieces, this would be the right heaven to dive in.

With an elaborative narrative of things, you get to enjoy a delightful perspective on the evolution of bagpipes through the history with illustrations, photographs, and engravings. The book also contains some color paintings of pipes and pipers over the course of history. This would be the perfect choice for someone who has a love for history and Celtic music.

6. Santorella. Tony: How to Play Bagpipe

Well, if you are looking for something more than just words on a book, this would be the perfect thing for you to have. The book by Santorella. Tony comes with a CD as well containing some famous CD books. The CD contains all the tunes and songs that are discussed in the book, so you will have a better understanding. You will be able to play by ear and exercise in an appropriate manner with the help of this book and by following the simple instructions explained.

7. Seumas MacNeill, Thomas Pearston, Colin R. MacLellan: Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book 1

Well, if you are looking for a complete and most elaborate book on Highland Bagpipe, this would be just the thing for you to have as a daily read. The comprehensive book is written by some highly popular names in the world of music including Seumas MacNeill, Thomas Pearston, and Colin R. MacLellan.

With all these legendary names and the title telling the tale, there is not much that one can say about this masterpiece. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a whole school of Highland Bagpipe where you can start your journey from the beginning and end up becoming an expert bagpipe player with the right confidence to play anywhere you feel like.

8. Dr. Lindsay S. Davidson: Tutor Book for The Great Highland Bagpipes

Scottish bagpipes have left an impression on the world that is unmatched and influenced several generations. Bagpipes have become an essential part of the culture and this book would be the perfect choice for you to learn all that you need to know about the Great Highland Bagpipes.

The book is written by Dr. Lindsay S, Davidson covering all the essential elements of knowledge and skills that are a must have for you if you are looking to learn how to play bagpipes. With the help of this book, you will be learning about the notations, tunes and acquiring a lot of essential skills that you need to master Highland Bagpipes.

9. Dr. Lindsay S. Davidson: Tunes for Medieval Bagpipes

This is a contemporary collection of medieval tunes for bagpipes that are compiled by Dr. Lindsay S. Davidson. This book contains a wide range of tunes that were pretty famous back in the 15^th century. With the rich cultural history such as the bagpipe has, you can not have enough progress without having the right aid from the past of the instrument and this book provides you access to exactly what you need.

10. George Balderose: Balmoral Collection of Hymns for the Highland Bagpipe

Compiled by George Balderose, this is a highly endorsed collection of Hymns. The book contains 60 pages, five chapters, five appendices, 39 pipe tunes that you can play and practice, and even a DVD that will aid you with the learning process and you can make your experience more efficient and better. This would be just the perfect thing for you to have if you have the right skills and want some guidance to practice more and enhance them.

11. Andreas Hambsch: Learn to Play the Highland Bagpipe

The combi-method is known to be the best and quickest one around that can help you learn to play bagpipes in the right manner. With this book written by Andreas Hambsch and recommended by some of the top pipers in the world including Bruce Hitchings, and Robert Watt, you get to enjoy a practical approach towards learning bagpipes. The book essentially focuses on the practical skills, cutting out on any unnecessary theories that might not be helping you play bagpipes.

12. Gary A Guth: The Bagpipe Hymnal Vol. 1

Gary A Guth is a legend in the world of folk music and has done a great service to Scottish music. This book by him contains 65 Church Hymns that are arranged for the Great Highland Bagpipe of Scotland.

You also get the lyrics with each Hymn in the book that will enhance your music reading skills and you can play by reading as well. You also get access to downloadable audio for a better experience for efficiently listening to the bagpipe. This is the right choice for you to improve your sight-reading and tune learning ability.

13. Seumas MacNeill, Thomas Pearston: Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book 2

This is the second edition of Highland Bagpipe Tutor by Seumas MacNeill and Thomas Pearston. The book follows the same comprehensive approach and a detailed narrative about playing bagpipe as the first edition.

The best thing that you get in this book is the reorganization was necessary to make it compatible with the modern developments in the music genres and this instrument essentially. You also get to learn a better and advanced version of skills in the book that would take you from an intermediate level of bagpipe player to expert pretty easily and you will be able to manage all those complex tunes and songs on the bagpipe easily.

14. Michael Hamilton: Bagpipe Sheet Music Song Book

You can have all the skills that you might need but sheet music is an essential part of playing in an orchestra. This book contains tens of songs in the form of sheet music that you can play on a bagpipe.

If you are planning on pursuing a career in the field of bagpipes and want to play solo or as a part of some orchestra, you must have this book to practice all the sheet music and learn how you can play by reading the sheet music. The book gradually takes you from some basic tunes to grow the skills for you and you can have a soothing, more elaborate journey towards learning bagpipes.

15. L. Manson: The Highland Bagpipe

Well, no introduction needed on this one as the title is pretty well elaborative. Written by W. L. Manson, this is one of the most detailed books that you can get on bagpipes. The book essentially covers everything out there that you might want to know about the highland bagpipe. Not only that, but you can also learn how to play bagpipes with the help of this book.

16. Pipe Major R. T. Shepherd: Learn to Play the Bagpipe

This one is another great tutorial by Pipe Major R.T. Shepherd. The book helps you understand and learn the best practices to play bagpipes with the help of photographs of finger position, some easy to follow exercises, melodies, and a lot more. This would be the perfect practical assistance you can get in the form of a book to learn playing bagpipes.