What do you think?

[cwr89]

Ok, bear with me, I have been chopping through this stuff relatively quick because I have a very solid (7 years and still in) base of band instruction. Pipes are new to me, especially my trombone embature! its weird moving my fingers like this, but its like when I learned guitar, the more I do the easier it is. so I worked on a song for about an hour (and my mouth hates me).

this guy:


what I want to know is what do you think of it?
(click the links to hear me playing)
Link 1
Link 2

yes yes I know, I don't play the grace notes. I don't know how to do that yet. well I do, but I can't get the sound I desire. so if the note is repeated I just played it like it was tied. and please forgive my terrible counting, I am no good at tempo, I never was able to keep a beat very well. Also, in my opinion I think the 2nd link is better because it is the one that I did in 1 breath. (yes 1 breath no bag. hey I play bass trombone...)

so what do you think?
~Casey

[cwr89]

nothing?

*bump*

[Mr. Woolery]

Well, I'm not really going to be able to say as much as if we could talk in person, but here's some constructive feedback.

Overall, not bad. For self-teaching, it is really quite good. Timing was a lot better than your post led me to believe.

Now, for criticism, there were a few crossing noises. That's to be expected with a beginner. Don't stress about it, but do work to make transitions between notes as flawless as possible. Right now you are building technique and it is important to build it cleanly, not allowing any sloppiness to creep in. It is really hard to shed bad technique later on.

Also, you really do need to learn those ornaments and grace notes. Whatever tutor you are using should have grace note exercises. Play them religiously. I'm not kidding. Bagpipes always play at a constant volume. The only way to even imply dynamics is with your grace notes and ornaments. There's no other way. Planning to learn them later seldom really works. Pipers who try this end up with very sloppy gracings. You need to learn those at the start. Even professional pipers practice their grace notes every day.

I also think you need a teacher. Even if it isn't anything formal, you need someone to watch for false fingering (very easy to do with half-closed fingers like on the GHB) and to help you with getting up on the full pipes. No matter what anyone says, no supplier can truly deliver a bagpipe in fully set-up condition. Too many factors depend on your body type, your lung capacity, your comfort concepts, and so on. It really does take an experienced piper to get your pipes set with the reeds playing well, the drone cords spacing the drones right for you, the bag the right size (I'm 5'11" with 48" chest and I play a SMALL bag, there are smaller people with larger bags and a good piper can often give good advice about the size you need), and the right length of blowstick. Also, helping the joints right is entirely a matter of being able to feel the difference between underhemped, overhemped and just right. Get some guidance on this because it really isn't possible to convey properly over the internet.

Hope that helps.

-Patrick

[wgority]

See my previous posts on self-teaching.

[Mr. Woolery]

Y'know, I looked up some of the other things wgority said and it looks like his statements are often the threadkillers. I'm posting again just to try to break that jinx.

I am also curious about something. Why would people make a huge deal about wanting to play the pipes (I don't mean you, cwr89, as you have not made a big deal about it) and then act like it is some macho pride thing to never get a teacher?

The pipes really do need a teacher, more than many instruments out there. Frankly, even something fairly simple (like a tinwhistle) can be a huge amount better with a competent teacher. And a whistle doesn't require all of the maintenance that pipes do. And that has to be taught as well. So, why do so many guys act like it makes them feel unmanly if they admit they need a teacher?

-Patrick

[cwr89]

Thanks for the advice!

So, I've just recently gotten a teacher. hehe, Found a friend at school whos been playing for about 5 years and is really really good. and shes teaching me now. your absolutely right about the teachers though, I played trombone for about 2 years with no privet instruction and now for the past 5 years I have taken from a guy who has taught me so much. I don't know what the deal is, it might be that its probably the hardest instrument to learn and they want to feel accomplished and learn on their own. don't know...

~Casey

[highlander_Daz]

with respect you shouldnt be learning tunes until you can do grace notes/ doublings, however your commitment is fantastic and commitment and damn hard work is what it takes to be a piper. keep on going as you are find a teacher and Rock and roll

good man!!