Second Lesson

**JimB** · 2nd February 09, 12:47 PM

Since I posted what happened on my first bagpipe lesson, I thought I might continue so that others might know what to expect and some can let me know if I'm tracking normally

Lesson #2 was basically some advice on how to stop that gawd awful squealling sound that comes up occassionally. I guess I'm tilting my lower hand somewhat and not covering the holes exactly.
I was told to practice G, D, and E gracenotes up and down the scale and I've got to tell you, that's a lot harder in practice than it is in theory!! I have a lot of problem doing a G gracenote just before an E.
And then she told me how to do a D throw and told me to practice that.
And the final topper is that I'm told now to practice the first line of Scots wha hae which I can already do, but it is not in the proper time.

All in all, a good lesson!
I have a dunbar chanter and it sounds a bit low to me. I'm thinking of getting another reed to see if I can improve things.

I've brought my green book to work so that I can read some more on breaks. It seems to me that some of the things in later chapters they really should have mentioned in the earlier chapters. Anyway... the saga continues

**Spartan** · 2nd February 09, 05:10 PM

Good report. I was introduced to G gracenotes on my second lesson. I have scales to practice with gracenotes, but, as you say, it's a lot harder in practice than in theory.

**SteveB** · 2nd February 09, 10:52 PM

Good going gang.
Lesson one was just the G gracenote and scales. Tutor explained care and maintenance of Chanter and tuning. On my McCallum long chanter. Practice at least one hour every day.
Lesson two involved a lot crossing exercises, D and E gracenotes, and strikes. Yikes!
The theory is nice, but the fingers are not always following the theory...or something like that.
Between second and third lesson I received my Dunbar Long Chanter. Relearn the low hand.
Lesson three: Throw on D, and start Scots Wha Ha'e, and The Rowan Tree. Plus learning the new chanter. Tutor is very helpful with posture and fingering positions. Still fighting to get the tempo thing to happen.
Lesson four on Wednesday.......

JimB - I am using an Abbott reed in my Dunbar Long Blackwood, with a nice full tone and a great response. Also remember that the practice chanter is an octave below the bagpipe chanter. Low G is really gloomily low.

**JimB** · 3rd February 09, 06:56 AM

I just ordered an Abbott reed yesterday. AND Rythemic Finger Exercises.
I'm committed. (or rather I ought to be! )

I'm getting lost on the doublings. I made notes on the D throw and can do that, but I'm trying to figure out those doublings again.

**Phogfan86** · 3rd February 09, 10:51 AM

I just ordered the Rhythmic Fingering Exercises book and am very excited about getting it.

I just remember feeling really good about being able to play a nice, clean scale. Then grace notes were introduced and you'd have thought I'd never even seen a chanter before, let alone played one.

I think you're right on track.

**Jack Daw** · 3rd February 09, 01:52 PM

Keep you fingers light and your note transitions quick and easy.

**K. MacRuadh** · 3rd February 09, 03:50 PM

Practice with a metronome....it makes a big difference in learning to play in tempo!

Cheers,

Kev

**piperdown** · 3rd February 09, 04:15 PM

Good for you...It took me forever just to get the scale down...then it was those dreaded grace notes...practise practise practise...my PM calls it woodchopping and that it is the quickest way to the bank...he is right about that...those doublings dont happen over night but one day down the road all of a sudden you are rattling them off...it's a great feeling....good luck!!!!!!