So You Want To Play The Bagpipes

**vmac3205** · 14th October 08, 07:44 AM

Perfect timing!! My husband and I attended our first chanter lesson last week. Thank you for taking the time to post that thread.

**Nighthawk** · 14th October 08, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by vmac3205

Perfect timing!! My husband and I attended our first chanter lesson last week. Thank you for taking the time to post that thread.

I've been going for almost two months. It's starting to get fun. It was tough and tedious at first (and still is at times) but has become very enjoyable.

**JimB** · 14th October 08, 11:11 AM

I already know that I'm getting a chanter for Christmas.
Hoping I'm up to this

**kypnkilt** · 14th October 08, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Beloitpiper

After years of practicing on the chanter, you may be ready to move onto pipes.

Years? Well....maybe a few folks might take years. Usually, most intructors recommend 6 months to a year before touching any GHB.

I do however agree that 4-5 days of practice a week (15min-1hr at a time) is a good discipline to start with. It is very beneficial to give yourself (and brain) a break to "process" the data. And it has been proven (somewhat) that mental practice during these breaks also helps in learning. In other words, picture yourself in your mind playing the tune or practicing while humming or whistling to yourself). I use this method when learning a new tune on a Practice Chanter (PC) before I attempt it on GHB.

Another great learning tool is to invest in a decent tape/digital recorder. Record yourself. You would be surprised in what you DON'T hear while playing versus just listening. Metronomes as stated above are, in my opinion, essential. Get the kinds that can be set by time signature: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8 time. I use a Yamaha electronic piano that has a built-in metronome that can be set for different time signatures and beat (speed).

These are just a few suggestions that will help down the road. Pretty much everthing was covered at the beginning of this thread. Remember...practice as much as you can without "burning out", get into a band or get an instructor if you can.....and have FUN!!

**highlander_Daz** · 15th October 08, 10:12 AM

to be honest I like to get people on a set of GHBs fairly rapid, blowing steady low A and one drone for a few minutes , normally after 3-6 months chanter practice, the i encourage them to hit the scale on the GHB changing from Blow to Squeeze whilst changing note, it suprising how it re-motivates students after 3-6 months drilling scale and doublings when the blow one note on a set of pipes it can really give fresh motivation at the 3-6 month stage where many students are hacked off with chater practice

**JS Sanders** · 15th October 08, 10:48 AM

Geez - "...years on the practice chanter, you may be ready to move onto pipes"?

Perhaps what was meant to be written was months and was overlooked during proofreading.

Few people are gonna hang around for years.

Slan,
steve

**Nighthawk** · 15th October 08, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by highlander_Daz

to be honest I like to get people on a set of GHBs fairly rapid, blowing steady low A and one drone for a few minutes , normally after 3-6 months chanter practice, the i encourage them to hit the scale on the GHB changing from Blow to Squeeze whilst changing note, it suprising how it re-motivates students after 3-6 months drilling scale and doublings when the blow one note on a set of pipes it can really give fresh motivation at the 3-6 month stage where many students are hacked off with chater practice

My instructor actually told me today that he normally won't even bring up getting a set of pipes until his students have been on the chanter for 6 months. I've been going for two, and he told me today that if I keep advancing the way I am, he's going to help me get into a set by Christmas. I am apparently doing well.

**forestpiper** · 31st October 08, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I've been going for almost two months. It's starting to get fun. It was tough and tedious at first (and still is at times) but has become very enjoyable.

All I can say is hand in there - it took me about 7 months on practice chanter before taking up the pipes. Don't jump on the bandwagon too soon or it will be really frustrating! It has been a ride, for sure! Thankfully I stuck with it and I am piping all over the place, doing funeral, weddings, band gigs, birthday parties and memorials. I am playing for a boy scout troop next month as they retire a flag. The possibilities can be limitless, but you have to get through the "un-fun" stuff first!!

**Nighthawk** · 6th November 08, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by forestpiper

All I can say is hand in there - it took me about 7 months on practice chanter before taking up the pipes. Don't jump on the bandwagon too soon or it will be really frustrating! It has been a ride, for sure! Thankfully I stuck with it and I am piping all over the place, doing funeral, weddings, band gigs, birthday parties and memorials. I am playing for a boy scout troop next month as they retire a flag. The possibilities can be limitless, but you have to get through the "un-fun" stuff first!!

Thanks for the advice. I don't jump into anything. I'll be getting my pipes in January, with my tax return, regardless, simply because that's the only way I'll be able to, with student loan payments, bills, blah blah blah... BUT- just because I have them doesn't mean I'll jump right in. And honestly, I have yet to find any un-fun stuff. Learning the E doubling has been in my... fingers... but that doesn't mean I haven't like getting it right. I think I have it right anyway... Well, regardless, welcome to X Marks!