Extreme Beginner

[SteveB]

My tutor has started me on tunes - Yes, Scots Wha Ha'e is the first and Rowan Tree (part of the band's repertoire) is next.
I am starting to be able to read some of the score, and SWH has been put on one of those tiny electronic player thingies. Programmed for continuous play, dropped into the sporran with the little white strings going to my ear thingies. I now look like most of the people on the train that are about a quarter of my age. my tutor recorded it on the practice chanter so that I can practice with the tune going in my ears. I am still a little slow though, but having a lot of fun.
Did you know that High G can empty a basement of mice? It works.

BTW, welcome to the Pipers In Training Service of XMTS. There are many of us here and on bobdunsire.com piping forum.
Slainte

[EagleJCS]

There are many of us here and on bobdunshire.com piping forum.
Slainte

Erm, Steve, it's bobdunsire.com - no 'h' - so get the 'h' outta there!

(http://www.bobdunsire.com/ubbthreads...s.php/ubb/cfrm)

[ohiopiper]

Ask him or her to write out (or photocopy) scale exercises for you. Playing the notes while reading them is a skill that requires practice and will pay huge dividends for you. The mind will train itself to go from seeing a note on paper to making the fingers move. With enough practice, a tune can be played through the first time nearly at tempo.

The advantage to scale exercises over tunes in this reagard is that you're not memorizing them. Every time through is reading the music, not playing from muscle memory.

[Derek Conley]

My tutor has started me on tunes - Yes, Scots Wha Ha'e is the first and Rowan Tree (part of the band's repertoire) is next.

BTW, welcome to the Pipers In Training Service of XMTS. There are many of us here and on bobdunshire.com piping forum.
Slainte

My instructor and I touched on Scots Wha Hae but moved past it quickly; we don't really play it much anymore. 2nd tune was Amazing Grace, then The Marine Corps Hymn (he found that particularly fitting!). Last week he handed me like 7 different tunes and started me on High Road to Gairloch. Rowan Tree and Scotland the Brave are apparently coming up in the next few weeks.

I've yet to head over to the bobdunsire.com forums...

[SteveB]

Derek,
I agree on the Marines Hymm to be fitting. There are several arrangements for the pipes that sound awesome. The band has it in their regulars. I am happy that you are doing well. I am just getting to beginners tunes on my fourth lesson. I am a long way from A.G. or S.T.B. I am a little slow at the reading of score, and have no previous music experience to get the tempo/rhythm thing going. I have a lot to learn, and will probably be a lot longer at it. I am having a lot of fun with my Dunbar long Blackwood chanter. It has a real nice tone to it and delivers a good presence. It is also not forgiving of my "occasional" misses of the holes.
I take the chanter with me everywhere. This past Sunday I had some time before my students are at church to get in some tooting time. Took out one of the song books for children and tried one that was scored within the range. I was overheard by the Religious Education director, and wound up playing the song for the kids on the chanter during their singing time.
Great fun.
Cheers

[Derek Conley]

I was overheard by the Religious Education director, and wound up playing the song for the kids on the chanter during their singing time.
Great fun.
Cheers

That's great!