Chanter Reeds #3
When I first started piping, I required a new reed every couple of weeks. You can imagine how aggravating this was. I’d show up to band practice with my pipes going not too badly. By the end of...
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Supercharge your Bagpipe!
The search seems never-ending for the ultimate set of drones. It seems that everyone is looking for that perfect set that will stand out among all others. The Holy Grail of bagpipes. Well, maybe it’s...
View ArticleSave Your Breath! It Might Be The Bagpipe…
Several years ago I was invited to conduct a workshop for a non-competition band. I hadn’t worked with this band before and really had no idea of what to expect. I attended a function the night before...
View ArticleMusic Background…Blessing or Curse?
This post was originally titled “On Being an Adult Learner” but I decided that this wasn’t specific enough for the real topic and an audience that extends well beyond mature students. My experience as...
View ArticleAdjusting Your Drone Reeds for Maximum Efficiency
I last wrote about the efficiency of a bagpipe based on its ability to hold air. I used a few real-life stories to demonstrate how some obvious and not-so-obvious factors could severely compromise the...
View ArticleAdjusting your Drone Reeds to the Proper Pitch!
We’ve been talking about air-efficiency of your bagpipe, being the stocks and attached components. In my previous post I focused on the air-efficiency of your drone reeds and how to balance them to the...
View ArticleBuying Your First Bagpipe-Part 1
One only has to ask “What bagpipe should I buy?” to be overwhelmed by well-meaning and diverse responses from around the globe. Just about every piper has an opinion and you will be hard-pressed to...
View ArticleBuying a Bagpipe – New or Used?
In our first installment on this topic we discussed delrin vs. wood, which more or less leads us directly into the next installment of buying a bagpipe: New or Used? If you’re buying a delrin bagpipe,...
View ArticleBuying Your First Bagpipe – Part 3
There are so many points of view regarding what to buy as your first bagpipe that it easily becomes both overwhelming and an exercise in frustration. One only has to venture onto any of the retail or...
View ArticleBuying a Bagpipe – Domestic or Import?
Here’s a hot topic! Do I buy a domestically made bagpipe or an import? These comments are intended for those who are purchasing a wood bagpipe only. Delrin is off the table for the sake of this...
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The Average Piper – A Remarkable Story
Mr. Fred Sandeman made bagpipes in Rhodesia in the 1970’s on an old treadle lathe. It’s not known how many bagpipes he made, however among them were four hand-carved thistle-mount bagpipes. Two owners,...
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The Average Piper – The Right Instructor
Having taught bagpipes for almost 50 years, there’s not a lot that I haven’t seen. People are drawn to the instrument for their own reasons and eagerly embark on learning. Expectations range from “I...
View ArticleThe Average Piper – St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture and music. There will be parades followed by music and dance in just about every pub around the world. 13 million pints of Guinness will be downed...
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The Average Piper – Crossing Noises!
Crossing noises are those unwanted little “blips” that you hear when transitioning from one note to another. They are most common when moving from one hand to the other however they can also occur...
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The Average Piper – Timing, Technique, & The Bagpipe
If I boil everything down, these are the three primary areas of focus for Average Pipers; timing, technique, and bagpipe issues. It can sometimes appear overwhelming however when you break things down...
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The Average Piper – All about Technique!
We last talked about “Timing” and its importance in music. Without proper timing one cannot represent the tune as the composer intended nor can he or she play in unison with other pipers. What is...
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The Average Piper – Tying it all together
I had a break-through lesson last night with an adult student who is dealing with a number of issues. He’s been playing for a couple of years. Issues are “baked-in” which comes with its own set of...
View ArticleThe Average Piper – My Cup
The Average Piper – I know. It’s been a long time since my last Average Piper blog. I could tell you that I’ve been doing research on learning techniques (which I have been doing) but then the truth is...
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The Average Piper – Speed Kills!
When I take on a new student, I’m often dealing with misconceptions and baked-in issues. Most of the issues can be traced back to simply playing too quickly. GDE’s and transitions may be sloppy with...
View ArticleThe Average Piper – Do you hear what I hear?
If you don’t listen for it, you won’t hear it…but others will. Many years ago, legendary PM Alex Robertson gave me a gift. “Ringo, you can learn by listening to other pipers, even the worst of us.” He...
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