Your Frustration Might Just Be Your Fault!

Throughout the last few weeks, I have heard from a handful of former students who are facing some challenges. They start out by emailing me or posting something in my Facebook group, noting how frustrated they are and inquiring about problems they are having with...

“How long does it take to learn a new tune?” 

This was a question asked this week in my group, “Playing the Bagpipe”.  The answer? Well, it could take a few minutes, hours, days, weeks and even years to learn a new tune depending on whether you have a plan or are just winging it. I keep saying in these blogs that...

Stop, Isolate and Drill (Not “Stop, Drop and Roll”).

DAILY BAGPIPE ADVICE: When you catch on fire, you STOP, DROP AND ROLL. When you’re practicing the bagpipe and you hit a bump in the music, you STOP, ISOLATE AND DRILL. Stop, drop and roll is a very effective way to put out a fire on your body. You probably...

Getting the Most For Your Money

DAILY BAGPIPE ADVICE: “Your bagpipe teacher’s job is to teach you how to practice during the week after your lesson.   If you are doing your own thing, then you aren’t paying enough money…or enough attention.” There are a few different ways that you can...

Weekly Bagpipe Advice Number 2

“Daily Bagpipe Advice:  Big, Slow & Open is a method of practicing the Great Highland Bagpipe, not a porn film!” Because playing the Great Highland Bagpipe is about precision, learning how to practice this instrument effectively is key to becoming a successful...

Weekly Bagpipe Advice #1

DAILY BAGPIPE ADVICE: “If you want to be a bagpiper, you need to work on it DAILY! Make an appointment with yourself every day. If someone calls you and pulls you off schedule, you can’t cancel it you have to move it.” As I was thinking about something useful I...