In the 30 years since I began teaching, I have seen one of two things happen to most students. Initially, they are excited to learn to play the bagpipes. They come to lessons weekly, practice daily, and progress to the point where they are ready to buy pipes. At that...
A while ago, I wrote an article called “Are You a Bagpiper or a Wannabe?”. At the time I wrote this piece, the main component of the article was focused on making the decision to "do it". I had recently turned 55 and in doing that I realized that even though I have...
I tell my students that they need to practice every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. The purpose of that statement is to simply get them to practice every day. As they become more experienced, they will have more to practice and the time will automatically...
In teaching people to play this great instrument, I deal with a lot of "perfectionists". I used to be one myself, but it made my stomach hurt, messed up my digestion and gave me a headache. I decided a while back that I would do the best I could. I tell all of these...
One of my students came to his lesson feeling a little discouraged because he couldn't yet keep up with my teaching CD. He was talking about bailing. The truth is that he is doing reasonably well on his bagpipe project. The problem, as I see it, is that people don't...
Introducing the Bagpipe Stand Bagpipe Stand – Handcrafted Display & Storage Solution for Highland Pipes The problem with most instruments is the case. The instrument goes in the case and in the closet and is forgotten. Playing the bagpipe is something that a...
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