any pipers out there to help me?!

[a_wee_learner]

Hiya. I'd really appreciate some help here!

Well, when i lived in the highlands i did chanter lessons for about a year. Then, when the time came for me to progress on to the bagpipes, we had to move. I was unable to begin lessons again after i moved and have therefore never actually got onto the pipes properly (i am so annoyed about that!)

Now, i really want to pick up where i left off. I can play the chanter well enough now and have been practising for years but i want to move on so much!
Here's where the problem lies - i know that it isn't a good idea to learn the bagpipes without a tutor but i can't get one unless i join a pipe band and i'd rather not be in a band. However, my sister played for a few years and my dad did it when he was younger so perhaps they would do? The other problem is that i can't get new pipes at this minute (i'm still at school)!!! I can next year though.

So, i was just wondering if anyone could give me advice on what to do next - should i buy practice pipes or are they not worth it? Or should i wait until i can afford a quality set of pipes? Do i really need a proper tutor?

Or should i just give up altogether????!!

Thanks for any help from you pipers out there cos i really need some!

[Nilla]

You're not saying why you don't want to join a band. In my experience that is the best way learn, playing together with others, and you'll be sure to get good tutoring (if you join a good band that is). I have no idea how good your sister or your dad is at playing the pipes, or if they're still active, but I do know that even worse than being without a teacher is having a bad teacher. Re-learning things you were once taught wrong can sometimes be a life-long task. And if you play in a band, I'm sure you will find someone willing to give you solo tuition (if that's what you want).

I don't think it's a good idea for you to buy practise pipes to begin with. Find someone who can help you pick out a good set of pipes. They don't have to be overly expensive, but make sure you get good quality, and stay away from the Pakistani stuff. Seek out expert one-on-one help with your pipes (ask someone in the band you will join!!). Talk to other pipers, try their pipes. Ask what reeds that person is playing, what size the bag is and how they set their pipes up. Without a good instrument you'll get bored pretty quickly.

So in short, my advise to you would be: Find yourself a good teacher, or even better - join a band! Seek advise from other pipers and buy yourself a good quality instrument, don't let an unmanageable instrument ruin all the hard work you put into your practise.

Best of luck!
//Nilla

[Flemin]

well if your still in Scotland then almost all of the councils have a chanter/bagpipe teacher goin round the schools (about £30 a term unless your gonna do an exam with em cause then its free)
Talk to a music teacher they could probably set up some lessons for ye.
I'd really like to join a pipe band but since I started learnin with a school tutor then I gotta stay with em till I've done my exam and I can't do both cause there'd be a "conflict of interests"
But yeah talk to a music teacher say wat they say.

[a_wee_learner]

There is a few good bands near me i think (Boghall and Bathgate Calledonia). The reason i didn't want to join them is because i think they are lookin for learners who are a bit younger than me (i'm 16!) and also, i am actually quite shy and not at all confident! Plus, i wouldn't be able to join til i get pipes anyway an that'll have to wait a year til i can afford a quality set (don't worry - i didn't intend going for a cheap pakistani set from ebay!).

I am still in scotland (bathgate area) but i havn't heard of any pipe teachers going about the schools. To ask my music teacher - i don't think she'll have a clue about bagpipe teachers around the area but i'll try and ask her anyway.

My sister stopped playing when we moved as well - she was four years further on than i was at the time and she also is quite interested in picking up the 'hobby' again. My dad did it for a while ages ago and he enjoyed it but he never got proper tutoring.

Still, i am DETERMIND to learn the bagpipes again and i do want to go about it the right way so thanks so much for all your help.

[Flemin]

Bathgate. Well I know the pipe teacher for the Falkirk area is Mr Tannoch I'll ask him if he does Bathgate as well (but he might not cause thats in West Lothian) and if not I'll ask him who deals with the West Lothian area (but I won't see him till a week on Tuesday)
Pipe bands look for any skill level and they usually have their own pipes you can use if you ain't got yours.

[Pabby]

Hello to you all.. a_wee_learner, Flemin & Nilla..

Welcome to you all to Scotland.com..

Its nice to see so many new members here.. I hope that you all find what it is your looking for.. and I would say.. "a_wee_learner" give a shout out to Piper as well on this subject.. I am sure he can help out..

See you all about..

Enjoy the site..

Pabby

[a_wee_learner]

thanks for your welcome pabby. how would i be able to get 'Piper' to help me? Should i post another message?

flemin that'd be good if you could talk to your pipe teacher for me - thank you.

thanks for all the help - originally, i didn't expect any replies!

sharon x