any pipers out there to help me?!

[Madpiper2003]

Hello there a_wee_learner.

Firstly, welcome to s.com

My advise to you is to definately join one of the bands you mentioned as a learner. It really doesn't matter the age of a person when they take up the bagpipes, a willingness to learn is all that is required. The main thing is not to feel intimidated by any younger learners.



Most pipe bands will only take a couple of quid a week..

You really do need a tutor.. I don't know your father or your sister, they may be good pipers, but I strongly recommend learning with someone that doesn't know you as they will not loose the rag at you for making mistakes..

As for buying bagpipes, make sure you've got someone who knows the different kinds of pipes and that they would be able to spot pakistani bagpipes. (def not good quality).

Back to the band thing.

It is a very good idea to learn the bagpipes with a band, not only for the experience and expert tuition of their tutors, but you'll be able to go with them and play at some games (when you're good enough). I think you would enjoy yourself more in that kind of environment. so, you can take or leave my advice;

Just to let you know,
I've been playing in pipe bands for 20 years. I learned in a pipe band, it's all up to you how you choose to learn, but i think you would take more advantage from learning within a band.

[a_wee_learner]

Well, I am looking in to joining a band - one band got back to me and said they didn't mind me coming as a learner at 16 so thats quite good. I'm a bit scared though, to be honest. Never done anything like that before, really, so wish me luck.

Also, if anyone could tell me whats its like to be in a band that'd be good cos I don't really know an awful lot about them just now.


Thank you so much,

Sharon x

[Flemin]

sorry about not postin just with alot of stuff goin on right now. I'll be seein my pipe teacher on Tuesday but I'll need to know which school your actually at.

[a_wee_learner]

bathgate academy

[a_wee_learner]

Guess wot! I joined a pipe band! It has got to be the best thing i've ever done - I am enjoying it sooooo much!!!! I get to hear what i love the sound of most EVERY WEEK! (the pipes, of course!)So thank you to you's who told me to join a band - the BEST advice ever given to me!

The tutor said I hadn't really got that much bad habits over five years of practising all alone with out anyone teaching me,(except that I need to lift my fingers a little higher from the chanter when doing gracenotes and slow down a bit... ) I thought that might've been the case. He said that he was going to teach me some band tunes then I they'd put me on the pipes (i don't need to pay for them either - they give them to me while i'm in the band! I didn't expect that) I totally just can't wait! Weeheeeeee!

Madpiper - what you said was all true - esp. about tutors "not losing the rag at you" - like my sister does ALL THE TIME......

So.......is learnin the pipes as great as i'm expecting it to be?!

[Nilla]

So you've joined a band. That's good news! I'm very happy for you. See, there was nothing to be scared of. We've all been beginners at one stage, and you seem to have found yourself a good band, and a good tutor - only the sky is your limit now. Good luck with your playing.

//Nilla

[a_wee_learner]

Believe it or not, that honestly WAS the best advice given to me!!

Thanks again, Nilla.

love from
a_wee_learner
.....but not for much longer x