Starting to learn the pipes

**BonnieT100** · 19th February 07, 05:17 PM

Quick question about timing. What speed should I shoot for? I'm Army, so we speak in terms of marching. "quick time is 120 steps per minute, double time (running) is 180 steps per minutes. Both seem a little fast for the tunes I've heard. So far, most of my practice has been in the 80 bpm range, 4/4 timing, which is another mystery to me.

**haukehaien** · 19th February 07, 07:13 PM

Right now you should shoot for slow. Seriously, speeding up too soon is the cause of a lot of troubles for beginning pipers. I know the temptation - it just doesn't sound right to play at 1/2 normal speed - but resist it! 80 bpm in 4/4 is plenty fast at the beginning - concentrate on learning the notes, then the grace notes from each of the main notes, and then the more ornamented embellishments. Get each note into muscle memory before you try to leap out ahead and play like Duncan McGillivray or Kenny Forsyth, or whoever it was that you heard that made you want to learn the pipes.

Something that helped me was to start by learning slow tunes, so that they were at least semi-recognizable at the speed I had to play back then. It was easier to practice when I could hear a bit of what the music would sound like as I squeaked and honked my way through the tune.

**porrick** · 20th February 07, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by haukehaien

Something that helped me was to start by learning slow tunes, so that they were at least semi-recognizable at the speed I had to play back then. It was easier to practice when I could hear a bit of what the music would sound like as I squeaked and honked my way through the tune.

Totally agree. Another point that works well for me as a beginner: I want to play something as well as just drill on the chanter, and my solution was/is to play recognizable tunes such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the likes. May sound a little far off from the trad bagpipe music, but it serves well to boost confidence. Paul MacCartney's Mull of Kintyre has bagpipes in, and is simple to play, but yet sooo much in the spirit after having watched the video with the pipers on the beach

**McClef** · 20th February 07, 11:07 AM

Well I'm now placed to start the great adventure too.

I was recommended "Bagpipes Galore" in the Canongate, Edinburgh so I went there yesterday and bought the chanter. I went for a long wooden model (turned out to be the most expensive but sounded the best) because it also has slightly countersunk holes and felt more comfortable.

The shop owner played Highland Cathedral on a couple of models at my request too before I made the choice and he also showed me how to hold it and the best fingering positions, couldn't have been more helpful.

He also demonstrated an electronic chanter (made in Canada) which was very interesting and no blowing is required!

When I got back to the hotel room I had a quick go on it and managed to make some really dreadful sounds to begin with as how you blow it proved to be fairly important! But within 5 minutes I managed to get out a few bars of Highland Cathedral and all of Amazing Grace!

Of course it was "playing by ear" but I nonetheless felt quite excited about it.

This week I will begin going through my College of Piping Course booklets and CD and start doing it properly. Fortunately there is a pipe band in Cardiff and they have a chanter night which clashes with one of my male voice choir practice nights alas so I will have to do a little jiggling of schedules once I have mastered a few basics...

**RakesOfMallow** · 19th February 07, 07:51 PM

I completely agree with haukehaien...PLAY SLOW. I am a beginner as well and noticed the difference between playing slow, and trying to play fast. If you can't play it well slowly, you will most likely sound even worse playing it fast. My instructor always says playing slow builds finger control and even though I agreed, I still found myself playing too fast. When I finally sat down and really focused on finger control and playing slow, I started playing very clean and it was almost effortless to bring up the speed. I don't know what tunes your playing, but pick a good march. Scots Wha Hae is a great beginners tune because it does not have many embellishments except for the D-throw and a high G doubling. Keep at it, it's worth all the hours of frustration!

**RakesOfMallow** · 20th February 07, 12:15 PM

Well let me congratulate you McClef on making the move! I started just under 14 months ago and it has been quite a trip! Now I'm up on a full set of pipes playing sets. It's hard to believe that a year ago I was making sounds that are reminiscent of a duck being stepped on! Any type of instruction is invaluable. Even if you can only go once a month, GO!

Regards,

Tom

**BEEDEE** · 20th February 07, 06:06 PM

Bonnie T, Rakes and McClef - I'm another beginner. Started on the PC last July - now on Amazing Grace and Bruce's Address (Scots Wa' Hae) have them pretty much down. Bonnie Galloway is my new tune - third line is a bear!

Bonnie T don't know what part of the country you are in but Rakes might be interested in the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming in Vale Crucis, NC. Incredible deal - one week of piping school, room and board $480. Check out their website: http://www.naapd.org/

Brian

**BonnieT100** · 20th February 07, 06:35 PM

The North American Academy of Piping and Drumming is where my book came from. I'm over near Fayetteville. The chances of me getting over to the course are slim, with the upcoming deployment though.