Learning the Great Highland Bagpipe is a challenging and
rewarding exercise. Whether you want to become part of a pipe band,
or simply wish to play for your own enjoyment, I can help you.
Your journey will begin on an instrument called a practice
chanter, which is where all pipers begin. It is a small, mouth blown
instrument with identical fingering to a bagpipe chanter, requiring much
less effort to blow and is much quieter in volume. You can expect to
be playing this instrument for the rest of your bagpiping days as it is
ideal for learning new tunes as well as for quiet practice at home.
You will begin with learning the musical scale of the
bagpipe whilst learning to read the musical notes as written on the stave
and as there are only nine notes on a bagpipe chanter, this is nothing to
be afraid of!
Once you are able to read music and you can begin playing
simple tunes on the practice chanter, the lessons will continue through
grace notes and embellishments which provide the pronunciation to bagpipe
music, and you are on your way to learning proper bagpipe tunes that you
know and love.
The time it will take you to "get up" on the
Great Highland Bagpipe varies from person to person, depending on previous
musical experience, and of course your own effort and practice, but I have
seen a student playing Amazing Grace in the space of six months but this
should be considered an extraordinary case.
I will also be able to provide you with advice and
guidance with the purchase and set up of your bagpipes, as well as provide
you with instruction on proper bagpipe maintenance.
Finally, I am not affiliated with any local pipe band, so
there will be no pressure to join any particular band. Whether you decide
to join a pipe band is up to you, and the band you choose is again up to
you. My interest lies solely with teaching proper bagpipe technique
and practices to produce strong and well skilled pipers.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Adam Paterson
