Bagpipes

**Maritimer Gaen Awa** · 29th July 16, 09:49 AM

Greetings all, I recently started bagpipe lessons. About two weeks into the lessons. I joined a local militia unit pipes and drums on the encouragement of a friend of mine. There is a great instructor with 30+ years. So I am on the right track, I have the green book and things are coming along nicely. To the pipers in the forum, I would like know if there are online sources that are recommended and any tips would be appreciated.

**Steve Ashton** · 29th July 16, 11:48 AM

Moved to the General Celtic Music forum section.

**jumary** · 29th July 16, 05:28 PM

Welcome to the bagpipes! Be patient and practice and you will steadily improve. It takes time to build stamina.
It s very smart that you have an instructor. That is very important.
Online, check out the Bob Dunsire forums: http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/index.php
A great online community that has lots of help. Another good sire is Pipers Dojo. They offer classes and sell supplies. If you desire another instructor, many good ones teach via Skype. I strongly recommend Neil Clarke at Grean Glen Piping. A great instructor and all around great guy. http://www.greatglenpiping.com/
I have been taking lessons with Neil for over four years and he has really helped me. You can also check out his videos on YouTube. He plays many tunes at a slow, instructional pace.
Send me a message any time you want to talk about bagpipes!

**416 Rigby** · 30th July 16, 08:39 AM

Welcome to the insane addiction of the pipes! It's a lifestyle. It's not an instrument you can dabble in, it means a dedicated daily time slot for chanter time. Go slowly and try to be patient, it can get pretty frustrating sometimes, but listen to your teacher and I predict fun times ahead. So much to learn...it never ends.

**OC Richard** · 30th July 16, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Maritimer Gaen Awa

I would like know if there are online sources that are recommended

We would have to know, sources for what?

Teachers tend to be opinionated, and will have their own preferred connexions and sources that they will steer you towards. If you trust your teacher and have a good rapport with him/her then it's probably best to follow his/her suggestions. I know some teachers are a bit touchy about students ignoring their advise and going to other sources.

So, a teacher will usually have preferred
-teaching methods
-learning book(s)
-practice chanter make and style
-practice chanter reed make
-bagpipe make and style
-pipe chanter make
-pipe chanter reed make
-bag type
-drone reed make
-blowpipe and/or valve make and/or style
-MCS system (if any)

And also a host of other things such as favourite kiltmaker, source for sporrans, jackets, ghillies, etc.

And a teacher will usually try to steer a learner towards a particular band, or to concentrate on solo competition, or both.

The point is that learning the pipes isn't just learning how to finger the PC, or just playing the bagpipes. The pipes exist in a specific cultural and social milieu, a lifestyle as said above. It's been my lifestyle for 40 years now.

Good luck!

(BTW I'm guessing you're in Ontario CA (Canada) not in Ontario CA (California).

**Maritimer Gaen Awa** · 3rd August 16, 08:12 AM

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I take heed to the fact this instrument does take dedication, time and commitment to learn. Richard, yes I am in Ontario Canada. Your points are well noted. I am fortunate that this being a Military sponsored band most things you mentioned are standardized. Thanks all for the information thus far. Cheers.

**Macman** · 3rd August 16, 10:46 AM

May I ask which regiment you have joined? I was with C Scot R for a short time many years ago (non-pipes/drums).

**Maritimer Gaen Awa** · 3rd August 16, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Macman

May I ask which regiment you have joined? I was with C Scot R for a short time many years ago (non-pipes/drums).

Victoria. Very good. I love the island. In the day I tried hard to get posted west. I asked for Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox.....they sent me to....Halifax...that's the Army for you. Anyway I have some friends in the band and they encouraged me to come out. so I joined the Princes of Wales Own Regt Pipes and Drums. I am not interested in the competition side. The PWOR Pipes and Drums just do local stuff for the Militia unit and the Legion.

**Jimmy the Celt** · 4th August 16, 10:05 AM

I have wanted to learn the GHB since I was quite young but have always been intimidated by the prospect, especially when it comes to reading music. I play guitar by ear and have attempted to learn to read music but end up frustrated and unable to apply it at all; my gift is in my ear and anything technical just confuses me.

I understand that with bagpipes it is nearly impossible to learn to play by ear or on one's own. Is that strictly true? I know of at least one piper (Charlie Allan of Saor Patrol) who claims to have taught himself by ear. Granted, his is a very freestyle way of playing and not traditional, but the concept is there.

I do not have direct access to a teacher but have come across programs like Dojo University/Piper's Dojo. Does anyone have any experience with them or know anything about them? Also, might it be possible to teach oneself with a curriculum like Bagpipe Solutions?

Would appreciate any feedback.

**Maritimer Gaen Awa** · 4th August 16, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy the Celt

I have wanted to learn the GHB since I was quite young but have always been intimidated by the prospect, especially when it comes to reading music. I play guitar by ear and have attempted to learn to read music but end up frustrated and unable to apply it at all; my gift is in my ear and anything technical just confuses me.

I understand that with bagpipes it is nearly impossible to learn to play by ear or on one's own. Is that strictly true? I know of at least one piper (Charlie Allan of Saor Patrol) who claims to have taught himself by ear. Granted, his is a very freestyle way of playing and not traditional, but the concept is there.

I do not have direct access to a teacher but have come across programs like Dojo University/Piper's Dojo. Does anyone have any experience with them or know anything about them? Also, might it be possible to teach oneself with a curriculum like Bagpipe Solutions?

Would appreciate any feedback.

I found that learning to read music comes with learning the instrument. I played the guitar for years self taught/buddy taught but no music theory to speak of, Just written lyrics and cords on top, memorizing cord patterns someone showed me, but it wasnt until I took some trumpet lessons and got proper music theory was I able to crack the code. Wasn't hard,just was a natural progression as I learned the instrument. Made for whole new dimension on music. It is a nice feeling when you can pick up some sheet music of an unknown tune and a few minutes humming it out the melody lifts of the page. Whole new world. Having an instructor is important especially with the bagpipes. Lots of subttle techniques to learn and I have already been corrected on some creeping bad habits. This is one instrument where a close relationship with one's instructor is very important. There are some resources mentioned in the first part of the thread to getting an online instructor if you cant find someone local. virtual is better than non at all. I hope someone can elaborate further with their online experiences with the sites you mentioned.