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Well, pretty much off the bat, I'd probably have to admit you may have more musical talent than just about any bagpiper I've ever met. (Although, this is by no means an exhaustive list...)

Most importantly, regardless of anyone's level of talent, I would ALWAYS have to recommend getting a teacher -- if you only have one lesson a month (or even less), this will still go a long way toward avoiding embedded bad habits that plague you for a long time...

However, it is certainly possible to teach yourself at least the basics. First, find a bagpiping store within reasonable driving range -- not a music store with a set of pipes in a back corner, this is not a recipe for success. From this store, you'll need to purchase a practice chanter, here are examples: http://www.piperscove.com/proddetail.asp?prod=PC Obviously, you can still do this on the internet, but I would definitely be happier touching the goods before I purchase...

Next, get this book: http://www.amazon.com/College-Piping-Highland-Bagpipe-Tutor/dp/B001PFBW42 You don't have to get it from Amazon if you don't want, the store you found in step one will certainly have a copy, and if you're REALLY Scottish (meaning cheap), the entire text of the book is here: http://mhgtr.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/piping-tutor-book-01.pdf

This book has descriptions of 99% of the technique you'll ever use, has been used by millions people already (really), and still going strong with pipers around the world. It's got a fair bit of sheet music inside, as well. (I've been playing for 16 years, btw, and I've never seen volume 2.)

I should finish up with one more thought: Piping (heck, music) is a communal activity. You're obviously a talented and experienced music and I'm guessing you already know this. If possible, find a band in your area, do their shows and march in their parades. It shouldn't be expensive -- if it is, find a different band. Your playing will definitely benefit, and so will the band you join. You could join a band and learn to play, or you could learn to play and join a band -- whichever works best for you. Again, that store you found in step one can help you, and so can this subreddit, if you need it. And if, by some chance, you live in central New Jersey, let me know and I'll send you directions to Thursday's practice....

Most people would recommend starting out with an instructor. I guess it saves you from learning too many bad habits when you try to start learning by yourself. However, if you want to give it a go I'd recommend this book. I'm sure using it in conjunction with an instructor wouldn't do much harm either.

Not to be all negative and shit, but I wouldn't expect too much from that chanter you bought. Generally any bagpipe-related stuff made in Pakistan is of poor quality. Then again, I've never tried a Pakistani practice chanter, it might tide you over okay for a little while. I'm sure you'd have a much nicer learning experience with a chanter by a reputable maker though. You can get one bundled along with that book I recommended here.

Hope you stick with it and enjoy the ride. :)

I've found The Great Highland Bagpipe and its Music by Roderick Cannon to be a fantastic book. I particularly enjoyed the piobaireachd chapter!

1. Stop playing in a grade 5 band (I kid, I kid... but... grades exist for a reason and you are playing with the lowest. We should always strive for improvement but I don't think I've ever played with a grade 5 band that could make it through an entire set without one and usually multiple people screwing up. Your post indicates that you are putting in a level of effort generally not found among the membership in grade 5, maybe time to move on to a higher level where you will be happier? I know it worked for me).
   
   
2. I found this book to be extremely helpful, but in order for it to work your members have to actually read/implement it: https://www.amazon.com/Strategies-Learning-Memorising-Jumping-Musical/dp/1721860657/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?keywords=memorizing+tunes+stephanie&qid=1562593346&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr2

I've owned a set for a little over a year now. I really like both the look and sound of them, and have gotten plenty of positive comments about the sound of the pipes when playing with bandmates.

They're a little louder than regular smallpipes, but not by too much. The decibel meter on my phone has them at 80dB, vs. the 100 dB for my pipe chanter, and ~70-75 dB for my acoustic guitar. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but that should give you an idea.

I don't wear hearing protection with them - although they're probably borderline whether I need to or not. These are what I wear when practicing highland pipes at home. What I like about them is that I can hear just fine for normal conversation, but they'll shut off the microphone for when I'm actually playing, although I'm looking for some musician grade plugs that I can wear to band practice/performances instead of foamies.

In short, microphones. Don't know if you can plug more than one into an iPhone but you need more than one to really make it work.

This book is really good for getting a basic understanding of the recording process and ideas for doing it with what you have.

That said, studio time is cheap these days. Depending on what you want to do it may actually be the easiest route.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guerilla-Home-Recording-Studio-Leonard/dp/1423454464

There is a great little book of (trad) Irish tunes for fairly cheap - "Traditional Irish Music for the Bagpipes" - Dave Rickard. Really fun stuff and, I think, a lot of room for your personal interpretation.

https://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Irish-Music-Bagpipe-Rickard/dp/0946005745

An electric chanter is very much worth the investment. Yes, they are very expensive. But they are a tremendous asset.

Look into any of these:

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/cart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=219

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These are the reeds I've personally found to be the most quiet:

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4187&idcategory=151

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=704&idcategory=151

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And these are the rubber bands that you can use on your reed to quiet them up:

https://www.amazon.com/pack-Orthodontic-Elastics-Bands-diameter/dp/B002GCNZMU

I am looking into trying to learn how to play the bagpipes and need some advice on buying a practice chanter. I understand that with most things, you get what you pay for. My question is should I get a name brand like Dunbar/Gibson or is going with a less expensive one just fine?

Here are two that I was looking into:

Dunbar long practice chanter

Pringle long practice chanter

Cadillac is right - it's certainly on what I'd call the premium end, price-wise.

Of course Peterson likes its spendy music tools.

I have ones made by Alpine Hearing Protection.

I tried several other brands and they usually have a hard plastic core and will hurt if you don't pick the right sizes or their standard sizes don't fit you well.

The Alpine ones are one size and made of all soft rubber with just a small filter insert, so you don't have to worry about fit and they are comfortable all day long.

The sound quality is fine. Their filtering seems to that they leave open a small hole to let in a small amount of sound waves. You are still getting in the original sound waves, just less of them. I don't notice any change in pitches when them in or out, only volume.

I've tried Etymotic, standard fit, and they just ended up hurting my ear canals. Unfortunately they only have "standard fit" and "large fit". With no option for a smaller fit I had to look for an alternative.

I really lie the fit and dB reduction of the Flents ear plugs and bought a jar of them: http://www.amazon.com/Flents-Quiet-Please-Plugs-50-Pair/dp/B001J4HB1C

It’s also on track 2 of Scantily Plaid’s album Just Checking In https://www.amazon.com/Just-Checking-Scantily-Plaid/dp/B003DVZMEC

http://www.amazon.com/Logans-Complete-Tutor-Highland-Bagpipe/dp/0853603847