First bagpipe lesson

**OFCJAX** · 9th January 08, 11:00 AM

Well, yesterday I had my first ever bagpipe lesson. I started practicing the scale to get the figer positions today for a couple of hours on a loaned practice chanter.
I played violin back in grade school, so this is a big departure from my comfort zone.
My dog has been running from the room wondering why it sounded like I was interigating a sick duck with jumper cables and a battery.

**highlander_Daz** · 9th January 08, 11:04 AM

good luck keep your fingers streight !

**Macman** · 9th January 08, 11:12 AM

Congratulations on your first lesson, and have fun!

**RakesOfMallow** · 9th January 08, 11:17 AM

Congrats! Hope you excel!

I played the viola back in grade school, and the pipes were definitely out of my comfort zone at the start. I've been playing 2 years and I'd be lying if I said it's easy, (it's still very difficult) but EXTREMELY rewarding. Cheers!

Tom

**pipesndrumsnun** · 9th January 08, 11:41 AM

CONGRATS!! I know how exciting this is (and how much hard work it takes!!). I'm currently trying to move up to the "big pipes"!

**thescot** · 9th January 08, 12:18 PM

Good luck and hang in there. Where your jaws get tired, just rest and do it again.

My wife threatened to leave me when I got out the chanter. I have to hide and practice.

**OFCJAX** · 9th January 08, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

My wife threatened to leave me when I got out the chanter. I have to hide and practice.

I practice when MacDanar is at work, when I'm off. Not gonna even attempt it when she's here.

**gilmore** · 9th January 08, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by OFCJAX

...My dog has been running from the room wondering why it sounded like I was interigating a sick duck with jumper cables and a battery.

One of my dogs reacted similarly. He would come rushing from wherever he was and start barking at me. I have given up trying to learn to play tunes and settled for using it to call the dog.

**MacDanar** · 9th January 08, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by OFCJAX

I practice when MacDanar is at work, when I'm off. Not gonna even attempt it when she's here.

Kririiiiiiiiise' y'arrrrrrrrrre a chicken!

He let me hear what it sounded like last night. Guess I won't be hearing any actual tuneage for a while, which is fine, because I won't be sharing any of my tin whistling until I have Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms is down pat. Heck, I haven't even let him hear the song I sang and recorded for my parents' anniversary.

Take yer time, luv.

**Mr. Woolery** · 11th January 08, 01:00 AM

You go, man! The world needs lots more pipers! Just remember to enjoy it. The process has a fairly long uphill battle, then suddenly, you find you are a piper.

Oh, and if you eventually find music for My Lodgings' on the Cold, Cold Ground, that's the same tune as Endearing Young Charms. So, with a whistle in a complementary key, you can play a duet!

Or not.

Welcome to the ranks of the pipers. Just don't be a rank piper.

-Patrick