So You Want To Play The Bagpipes

[kypnkilt]

After years of practicing on the chanter, you may be ready to move onto pipes.

Years? Well....maybe a few folks might take years. Usually, most intructors recommend 6 months to a year before touching any GHB.

I do however agree that 4-5 days of practice a week (15min-1hr at a time) is a good discipline to start with. It is very beneficial to give yourself (and brain) a break to "process" the data. And it has been proven (somewhat) that mental practice during these breaks also helps in learning. In other words, picture yourself in your mind playing the tune or practicing while humming or whistling to yourself). I use this method when learning a new tune on a Practice Chanter (PC) before I attempt it on GHB.

Another great learning tool is to invest in a decent tape/digital recorder. Record yourself. You would be surprised in what you DON'T hear while playing versus just listening. Metronomes as stated above are, in my opinion, essential. Get the kinds that can be set by time signature: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8 time. I use a Yamaha electronic piano that has a built-in metronome that can be set for different time signatures and beat (speed).

These are just a few suggestions that will help down the road. Pretty much everthing was covered at the beginning of this thread. Remember...practice as much as you can without "burning out", get into a band or get an instructor if you can.....and have FUN!!

[highlander_Daz]

to be honest I like to get people on a set of GHBs fairly rapid, blowing steady low A and one drone for a few minutes , normally after 3-6 months chanter practice, the i encourage them to hit the scale on the GHB changing from Blow to Squeeze whilst changing note, it suprising how it re-motivates students after 3-6 months drilling scale and doublings when the blow one note on a set of pipes it can really give fresh motivation at the 3-6 month stage where many students are hacked off with chater practice

[JS Sanders]

Geez - "...years on the practice chanter, you may be ready to move onto pipes"?

Perhaps what was meant to be written was months and was overlooked during proofreading.

Few people are gonna hang around for years.

Slan,
steve

[Nighthawk]

to be honest I like to get people on a set of GHBs fairly rapid, blowing steady low A and one drone for a few minutes , normally after 3-6 months chanter practice, the i encourage them to hit the scale on the GHB changing from Blow to Squeeze whilst changing note, it suprising how it re-motivates students after 3-6 months drilling scale and doublings when the blow one note on a set of pipes it can really give fresh motivation at the 3-6 month stage where many students are hacked off with chater practice

My instructor actually told me today that he normally won't even bring up getting a set of pipes until his students have been on the chanter for 6 months. I've been going for two, and he told me today that if I keep advancing the way I am, he's going to help me get into a set by Christmas. I am apparently doing well.