During the week I practiced all of the notes up and down the chanter. I took Thunderbolt's advice and take the chanter with me when I go in the car. There's an opportunity for practice whenever I have to wait for a traffic light to change. It helps just to practice picking it up and hitting the fingers on the right holes the first time! Now, if I can just get over having a death grip, especially with the right hand. She says that I'm becoming more relaxed.

Tonight was the second lesson. She seems pleased with my progress. I find I have to be careful to stifle some swear words when I don't hit the notes right. This evening she introduced me to gracenotes and gave me some sheets with different scale exercises. This will help me work getting rid of crossovers. That will last me for two weeks, as I will be out of town next Tuesday at a conference. I'll take the chanter with me and see if there isn't a way to keep up the practice without getting run out of the hotel.

All in all, it's beginning steps, but there is progress.