Learning to play without an instructor

[Gunnar]

Hi folks!

You guys must have heard this question a million times before (and I think that I've even asked it before ) but...here it comes again.

Is it impossible to learn to play the bagpipe without a bagpipe instructor?

I really, really want to learn to play the bagpipe but as you might have guessed, there aren't alot of bagpipe instructors in Iceland.
I play the classical guitar and have been taking guitar lessons for about 6 years now so learning the notes might not be a problem for me, and I did play the flute for two years, could that maybe be of any help?

If you guys DO think it could be possible to learn to play the bagpipe on your own, could you perhaps point out a good practice chanter starting kit?

Thanks in advance,
Gunnar.

[Bigkahuna]

Hi Gunnar, the biggest problem is that you do not have any body to show you what you are doing wrong. If mistakes are not corrected early it becomes more difficult to correct them later on. There are several web sites and videos you could take a look at to get you started. Buy a good chanter as a start. See if there are any pipe bands in Iceland as these are the most common source for instruction. Practice, practice, practice. Good Luck!

[EagleJCS]

Sorry to say it, but it's almost impossible to learn to play the Great Highland Bagpipe on your own. It has been tried, and by the anecdotal evidence I've seen, most of those making the attempt either gave up, or wound up having to relearn the things they learned incorrectly/incompletely once they started progressing further and taking instruction.

Learning correct finger technique, blowing technique (even on the practice chanter), and tuning technique (even on the practice chanter) requires direct, immediate feedback.

If you haven't read it yet, I recommend the 'So you want play bagpipes' thread here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...561/index.html

Knowing how to play other instruments can almost be detrimental because the GHB is just a different instrument - the only thing like it is another type of bagpipe! I started out as a guitar player as well (self-taught, played for about 20 years before starting the pipes). The only things that knowing guitar helped with was being able to control the fingers of both hands independently and being able to read treble clef. I could not have learned as quickly as I did (about 5 months on basic finger technique, another 5 months learning how to blow the drones properly), as well as I did, without an instructor.

All that being said, all is not lost! There are piping instructors providing lessons online via Skype, and by telephone and even cassette tape. All you need do is search them out. The instructor you decide on may have a preference for their students' practice chanter and tutorial book.

If you still choose to go it alone, I strongly suggest avoiding the inexpensive (US$35?) rosewood/cocus starter kit. Getting a Delrin (polypenco) practice chanter may be a little more expensive, but worth the cost in the long run. They're available for about US$90 or so (not including delivery). You can also find plenty of good advice by Google-ing 'practice chanter'. The 'College of Piping' green tutor is pretty much the standard, but there are other tutorials available (Logan's, Wilson's, Sandy Jones, et. al.).

Work slowly, read carefully, and continue to seek advice if you don't understand something.

Good luck!

[wvpiper]

There are instructors who can teach you via the Internet, using Skype or similar methods. I think, actually, the College of Piping offers it. You can look for online instructors at www.bobdunsire.com, or try an internet search.

You need to 'see' an instructor to be sure you get a good foundation. Also, that your mistakes are caught and corrected, as mentioned earlier.

You could also look into a week long piping school, in Scotland, to get a good head start.

Good luck

[tulloch]

It sounds like a great excuse to travel to Scotland several times a year. After all you are just next door!

[Gunnar]

Thanks for the answers guys

I'm still looking for an instructor here in Iceland but I reckon that there arent alot of people that play the bagpipe here.
And as for the practice chanter, does this one look OK? http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idproduct=2725

And how awesome would it be to go to a week long bagpipe school in Scotland?

[Macman]

And as for the practice chanter, does this one look OK? http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idproduct=2725

Yes! It's long, it's poly, and it's Dunbar. There are others (I use McCallum) but the Dunbar gets good reviews.

[EagleJCS]

And as for the practice chanter, does this one look OK? http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idproduct=2725

That combo looks pretty good. Reasonable price, and reputable company. Their people know piping (some dealers don't).

[jeremy j starche]

Thanks for the answers guys

I'm still looking for an instructor here in Iceland but I reckon that there arent alot of people that play the bagpipe here.
And as for the practice chanter, does this one look OK? http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Car...idproduct=2725

And how awesome would it be to go to a week long bagpipe school in Scotland?

That is a great practice chanter. I play a long Dunbar myself. It has a nice tone and /sounds/ like a real instrument. My other practice chanter sounds like a kazoo, without the ability for volume control.

There is a /lot/ of difference between Scottisih (piping) music and traditional musical styles. Our hold-cuts are different, our embellishments are totally different. Set that on top of needing to have more fingers doing different things at different times[1] than any other instrument and you have a lot happening at once.

Then we can talk about the physical instrument itself. If there is a more delicately balanced instrument out there, I never want to meet it. Everything from 'How do I get this $&*% chanter reed to play' to 'Why the heck did my drone just go warbly' to 'What happened to my bag!??!'

It is possible to be self taught -- my instructor is -- but the same man also says that it took him eleven years to compete at Grade 1. With instruction, he thinks he could have made in in three.

[george7]

If you can't get to an instructor, you could opt for lessons at bagpipelessons.com.