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19th September 08, 11:13 PM
#1
Selecting a Teacher
Ok Ive looked at the rest of the board and couldn't find anything that answered my question so here we are. I'm looking to start learning the pipes and I am aware of the time and effort that will need to be invested in order to reach the goal of being able to play them.
With that being said what should I look for in choosing a teacher? Ive got the choice of a quite a few in my area ranging from Grade III Grade II Soloists, Full-Time Piping Instructors,Former Regimental pipers, Former Pipe Majors and so on. How much weight does this if any bear? What should I be looking for in a Teacher?
Any help is appreciated.
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20th September 08, 02:13 PM
#2
I'd say look for someone who has taught before.
being a graded piper doesnt mean they can teach well. ask to talk to some former students and get their opinion. is the teacher willing to let you go if and when you exceed his ability to teach?
cost.
most instructors wont charge more than $20 a lesson that I've ever met.
heck some charge a pittance jsut so theres a monetary value on the time spent, and it might make you practice more since you're paying for it.
I'm sure theres more ( and probably better) advice that will be given here.
in the meantime checkout the bobdunsire.com forums for a plethora of piping advice.
some of the best pipers in the world will tell you whats what.
KFP
Irish diplomacy: is telling a man to go to he)) in such a way that he looks forward to the trip!
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20th September 08, 02:37 PM
#3
Kiltedfirepiper just the kind of insight I was looking for thanks for the tips. You brought up some questions I hadn't even considered. I will check out the bobdunsire.com forums as well.
Anyone else feel free to chime in
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20th September 08, 03:13 PM
#4
What he said...
You want an instructor with a good attitude also. I hated instructors who told you to do something "Because I said so". You want an instructor who can explain why also.
Medals and trophys are nice, but they don't mean you can teach, and the reverse is true as well, meaning, they may be a great teacher, but not have a lot of awards. So what?
Most importantly, however, is the attitude of the student. The student needs determination, discipline, commitment and the drive to succeed. Unfailing self-criticism is a huge benifit.
There are too many hack pipers out there. The instructor needs to ask the tough questions to understand what the student intends to do with the pipes. Not everyone has to be a world-class champion, but we owe it to the art and the pipers who came before us to do it right.
If the student is just going to play around with the bagpipes, then maybe a tin whistle would be better, easier, and cheaper, to play. They sound great too. If the piper intends to ever play in public, professionaly or not, then they need to play them right. Not necessarily perfect, but at least good. Bagpipes have already gotten a bad rap in the past, no need to keep it going!
Sorry about the soap-box rant, it's just a pet peeve. Trust me, I've turned away students before. I've turned down people who planned on spending a *lot* on lessons. But I just can bring myself to teach someone who isn't going to take it seriously.
Good luck in your goals, I hope it turns out great for you.
Happy piping!
T.
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20th September 08, 04:06 PM
#5
I would suggest picking an instructor from a pipe band that you're interested in joining. Make a contact with a pipe band president or pipe major and ask if they're band is teaching and their preference in private instructor.
Airman. Piper. Scholar. - Avatar: MacGregor Tartan
“KILT, n. A costume sometimes worn by Scotchmen in America and Americans in Scotland.” - Ambrose Gwinett Bierce
www.melbournepipesanddrums.com
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20th September 08, 05:30 PM
#6
Everyone thanks for the tips,pointers, advice and such I very much appreciate it. Thanks
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21st September 08, 06:25 AM
#7
A flip side of the coin already mentioned; while being a competent piper doesn't necessarily mean that you're a good tutor, you do want a tutor who's a competent piper. The best mentoring in the world won't be of much use if they can't do anything more than a simple 4/4 with high G gracenotes.
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22nd September 08, 09:42 AM
#8
My mother is about the only local pipe teacher in Fairbanks right now. I've talked to her about what she tells students who are moving away and seeking a new instructor. She does tell them to find a teacher who has competed and placed. This because you want someone who actually is familiar with the musical idiom and that's an easy mark of whether or not a judge liked the teacher's piping. I personally think that I wouldn't want a teacher who was still in Grade 4, as there isn't the experience to take me much further than that. (Mom used to compete Grade 1.) A Grade 3 should be just fine for the first few years, though.
Other considerations: Find a student piper and ask how well his teacher answered questions on playing embellishments. Some teachers who are "natural" learners are unable to break down the elements and explain a grip movement so a student can actually understand it. Also, look for someone who is used to teaching children. If you can find a band with a kid who is a good piper (ask the pipe major) and not a cocky show-off, check out that kid's teacher. This would be a teacher who is patient and does not tend to inflate a child's ego in an unhealthy way. And keeping a kid interested means the teacher is able to keep the subject interesting in the first place!
In some ways, you are going to have a bit of a crapshoot anytime you look for a music teacher. A teacher who really suits me might be a lousy choice for you. As it happens, my mother is a teacher who can actually teach me effectively, so I am progressing.
Be warned: some bands have an attitude that if you want to learn to pipe, you have to join their band. If you are taking free lessons from a band, that is understandable. They are making an investment. If you are just asking about a teacher and the PM tells you to join up and then we'll see about training you, that's probably moving a little too fast. You want to tell him that you are looking for private instruction because you figure you would learn best from a one-on-one teaching scenario.
On the other hand, if band piping is your goal, many bands will do a mentoring sort of thing where you end up with an experienced piper giving you direct instruction (perhaps after you complete the beginner's course) and that can help a lot. Bands have to grow a thick skin because better than 70% of the people who say they want to play pipes end up dropping out in the first few months. This means you might not get the warm reception you were hoping for, since the band is so used to seeing people come in all excited and leave in a month because they are still working on basics on the practice chanter, not standing in the circle with the other pipers.
Bagpipes have a very steep initial learning curve. You have to spend a lot of time on the practice chanter before you can start blowing the big bag up. And then it feels like you are starting from scratch again! There are several real frustrations before you are making music with the pipes. It was well worth it for me and for any other piper out there, but it does take dedication and a willingness to look to the future. If you want instant gratification, buy an autoharp. If you want to be a piper, realize that it does take work to get there. But if you have the right attitude, the work is fun, too. The process can be almost as satisfying as the result if you approach it that way. And I think you have to, or you won't get there at all.
Welcome to the club!
-Patrick
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22nd September 08, 10:46 AM
#9
Just find an instructor who has multiple students. Ask the students what the instructor is like. The best opinion of a teacher comes straight from the student. That's how I found my first instructor and he's got a real talent for teaching (as well as piping). I'd recommend him, but he is currently in the service and not available to teach.
You can also go to pipe bands and ask if there's anyone they could recommend. Typically, there is a couple pipers in every band that will take on students (without charging much for lessons) for the sole purpose of recruiting new pipers for their band.
You get the lessons cheap as well as a foot in the door with an established pipe band. They get another piper (which are fairly few and far between). EVERYBODY wins.
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22nd September 08, 12:42 PM
#10
![Quote Quote](http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by Minnow
Just find an instructor who has multiple students. Ask the students what the instructor is like. The best opinion of a teacher comes straight from the student. That's how I found my first instructor and he's got a real talent for teaching (as well as piping). I'd recommend him, but he is currently in the service and not available to teach.
You can also go to pipe bands and ask if there's anyone they could recommend. Typically, there is a couple pipers in every band that will take on students (without charging much for lessons) for the sole purpose of recruiting new pipers for their band.
You get the lessons cheap as well as a foot in the door with an established pipe band. They get another piper (which are fairly few and far between). EVERYBODY wins.
In checking with our local pipe band, I discovered that if you are learning for the purpose of joining the band, the lessons are free. What a good recruiting tool!! As soon as I retire....
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