In 2019, I started learning the Scottish practice chanter with Lynne Miller (House of Bagpipes in San Francisco) through his classes at Piedmont Adult School. However, about 6 months in, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and my bagpipe classes were cancelled. Finding myself bored and unemployed, I decided that since I couldn't learn new music without my teacher's guidance, I should start learning how to play the tunes I knew on the bagpipes.
However, bagpipes are very expensive. So, I thought it would be cheaper to buy a lathe and build my own. How hard could it be?
I was wrong.
While researching how to build bagpipes, I discovered that there were many other varieties of bagpipes from traditions outside of Scotland; this was my introduction to the Swedish sackpipa, German hummelchen, and several other traditional and historical bagpipes from around the world. I eventually brought what might be called the worst "swedish bagpipe shaped object" ever made to Mark Walstrom (Timbre, Folk, and Baroque in Berkeley), who politely gave me plans and helped to point me towards better sources to research plans and the work of other instrument makers.
After the pandemic, I continued classes with Lynne, who is an experienced antique bagpipe repairman and helped to guide me in the right direction as well. I also started to work as a preschool teacher at Kleine Schule Oakland, and would often bring various bagpipes to work with me.
Eventually, I progressed in my bagpipe making to a point where musicians I met would tell me I should sell my instruments. I was always aware that I might sell them eventually, but never thought about it as more than means to fund the hobby.
Then, I decided to attend the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Townsend, WA. Health problems made it difficult to continue building full size boats, and I had to take medical leave. But for my own work, the most valuable lesson I'd learned there was that there still is an appreciation for handmade products built the right way. My time there inspired me to continue building bagpipes, and to try actively selling them at events.
Now, I may be the only professional bagpipe maker of my generation in America. I sell at many different events, and will hopefully start to perform with some of the more obscure and rare bagpipes of the world.