As a performer, having enough music is essential! In the last 2 offerings I sent you 2 Scottish 15 minute sets. Today I am going to share with you my Irish Set. There might be tunes that aren’t totally Irish, however I have found that they fit with the other tunes...
As a student of classical music, I learned about Sonata-Allegro form. This is an example of a type of musical form that classical music/symphonies follow. There are three parts: Exposition Development Recapitulation The exposition is where the initial...
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...
Consider this scenario: For years, you thought about learning to play the bagpipe. Finally, you got the courage to take the plunge. If you were guided properly, you only needed to buy a practice chanter, a book and some lessons to get started. You made a commitment...
I love teaching people how to play our great instrument. I teach a lot of adults. I don’t have to make them do anything because they just have a yearning to play. Occasionally, however, I get a call from a parent who says their child wants to play the bagpipe. When...
I’ve had a few emails this week from people who are blowing their guts out and don’t have a lot of endurance. The problem could be two fold. 1) Their bagpipe isn’t air efficient. 2) They don’t know how to blow and squeeze. I am going to address...
After 25 years of teaching this instrument, I have found a great deal of psychology is mixed in with instructing students how to play our Great Highland Bagpipe. For instance: Students move forward one tune at a time! When I started teaching and looking at...
In the last 25 years, I have taught many adults to play the Great Highland Bagpipe. I have discovered that they all start with great energy and good intentions, eventually getting to the point where they actually buy a set of pipes. Then something happens and they...
Here are 10 things you need to know to get started on your bagpipe journey. Don’t buy a set of bagpipes. Save your money! You only need a practice chanter a book and a teacher. Buy a Practice Chanter. This is the instrument used to develop the music to play on the...
