The 15 Minute Set

  I have been playing gigs on a full-time basis for the last 25 years.  Here’s what I have found:  People who aren’t prepared don’t stay in the market. They don’t have enough technical ability They don’t have enough repertoire.  When I started my “Bagpiper For...

Learn to play a 6/8-Mme Demira Dimitrova

Here is a tune written by a friend from Bulgaria.  This tune includes: the video lesson The Tune in .pdf Some Prep Drills in .pdf Audio includes The tune in parade Speed The Tune in Big, Slow and Open The rhythm sung to the melody The prep...

Learn to play “Tam Bains Lum”!

This is a great tune. A hornpipe. If you’re a bagpiper that hasn’t ventured into 2/4 competition marches or dance tunes, this is a tutorial on how to read the rhythm and develop the tune. Tunes are the greatest teachers of technique. I hope you enjoy this...

Get an early start on Christmas and improve your musical skills!

Though Christmas seems eons away, it’s really just around the corner. And perhaps all those Christmas in July sales put you in the holiday mood. That means now is a good time to start thinking about Christmas Carols. How is your Christmas Carol repertoire? Can...

The cost of free sheet music.

Over the years, there have been groups that have formed on Facebook looking for free bagpipe sheet music. Most people wouldn’t think anything of that. It’s free so it can’t be bad, right? Not necessarily! I’d like to take a moment to explain to you why those groups...

The Duke of Gordon as a Jig!

Today while perusing the “Old Geezer’s Bagpipe Page” someone mentioned “Orange and Blue” played as a 6/8 march. Funny thing the tune in 6/8 that they were talking about was “Hot Punch”. I’ve played both of the tunes for...