Feb 7, 2022
I play a lot of funerals on an annual basis. It’s been a substantial part of how I have made a living for the last 25 years. Of course, people don’t wait for good weather to die or get buried. Sometimes it’s just plain miserable. Nevertheless, as a bagpiper, my job...
Jan 23, 2022
Who I am: An “elementary” bagpipe teacher. My students are all new to playing the bagpipe. I specialize in teaching beginners to intermediates. A Bagpiper is: A person who can play a list of tunes on the bagpipe by memory, can learn and develop their own music, and...
Oct 17, 2021
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...
Oct 7, 2021
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...
Sep 25, 2021
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...
Sep 20, 2021
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...
Sep 13, 2021
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...
Aug 28, 2021
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...
Aug 15, 2021
If you got something out of this video and would like more help, consider studying with me. Click the link...
Aug 8, 2021
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...
