The Bagpiper's Endless Quest for a Place to Practice

Cristopher Rodriguez says he’s been screamed at and threatened with violence while trying to practice his bagpipes in New York City. The confrontations reflect a broader reality for musicians in the most densely populated city: those who can’t afford private rooms are pushed outdoors to whatever public space allows rehearsal. Bagpipers, Rodriguez among them, adapt by searching for overlooked corners across all five boroughs, from cemeteries and junkyards to highways and waterfronts. James Felder, a New York University professor, described practicing near the Meatpacking District waterfront before moving to Central Park to escape odors—showing how availability and neighborhood change shape where performances can happen.