Small Milestone

**JimB** · 8th January 09, 08:28 AM

I know it isn't much to most people, but last night I finally was able to produce all nine notes on my new chanter!
Now I just have to learn how to do scales

Behave you stupid fingers!!

**george7** · 8th January 09, 08:36 AM

Congratulations. Patience is a great virtue for the beginning piper. Polish each level of mastery before moving too far ahead and you'll be a great piper.

**JS Sanders** · 8th January 09, 08:49 AM

Not one single motion or movement regarding piping is difficult.

The tough part is that there hundreds of them that must be executed almost without thinking.

Want it so bad you can 'see' women tossing their underwear at you every time you perform.

Slainte,
steve

**JimB** · 8th January 09, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by JS Sanders

Not one single motion or movement regarding piping is difficult.

The tough part is that there hundreds of them that must be executed almost without thinking.

Want it so bad you can 'see' women tossing their underwear at you every time you perform.

Slainte,
steve

How am I supposed to maintain my concentration under those conditions?

**JS Sanders** · 8th January 09, 09:24 AM

<< How am I supposed to maintain my concentration under those conditions? >>

Consider it a dangled carrot.

**kevinkinney** · 8th January 09, 09:36 AM

Hmm,

I'm noticing a strong propensity to drink single malt as I walk this path.

Coincidence?

Kevin

**Jack Daw** · 8th January 09, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by kevinkinney

Hmm,

I'm noticing a strong propensity to drink single malt as I walk this path.

Coincidence?

Kevin

Sometimes I dip my chanter reed in a dram.

**Phogfan86** · 8th January 09, 10:08 AM

Once you have the scale down, have a dram on me. Savor the moment. It seems like a small thing, but remember: baby steps.

What comes next will probably be the G grace note scale -- simply a scale with G grace note played before each.

Remember how lost you felt the first time you played the chanter? Well, you'll feel like that all over again. That nice, neat scale you were playing just minutes before? Gonzo.

But then, that will come, and it's on to the G-D-E grace note scale, and you'll feel totally lost again. But then, that, too, will come.

I've been at it a little over a year now, and it's been one of the most maddening and rewarding things I've ever done.

**Macman** · 8th January 09, 10:27 AM

Good stuff, Jim! Enjoy your progress!

**SteveB** · 9th January 09, 04:37 AM

Jim,
I had my first lesson last night as well. I am older, so expect to take a little longer. My first lesson involved mostly posture, finger form and the scale, with G gracenotes. He xpects by Tuesday (my next lesson) that I will be doing the scale in an even tempo, with the lower hand and automatic G gracenotes. I do have to work very hard on my leaky E finger though.
Congratulations on the first step.