How hard is it to learn to play bagpipes?
Will Madewell
I've always liked bagpipe music. I've been thinking about learning to play,
but is it really difficult, or just as hard as learning any other musical
instrument? Thanks!
Donald Maddox
Will, I make no claim to being an accomplished piper, but as a
beginner who is about ready to leap from the practice chanter to to pipes
shortly, my thoughts might interest you.
"Is it really difficult?" Yes, frankly it is. The Great Highland
Bagpipe is a fairly complex musical instrument, and it does require a lot
of dedication to get over the initial hump. Unlike other instruments,
you don't start out on a real set of bagpipes. You learn to play on a
practice chanter, until you have mastered all the common grace notes and
can play some tunes with a fair amount of proficiency. Learning at this
stage can be tedious. The practice chanter really doesn't sound the same
as a full stand of pipes, and many of the finger exercises must be
repeated over and over again. Weeks or even months of practice are
required before even simple tunes can be played properly.
There are some other points that make piping a little more difficult
perhaps than other musical instruments. First, depending on where you
live, finding a qualified piping instructor can be difficult. (You
shouldn't attempt to learn on your own, its far too difficult). Next,
playing the pipes requires more physical effort then playing most other
instruments. You will need to be in *relatively* good health to blow a
full stand of pipes.
If you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to learn
the instrument (and if your friends and neighbors are willing to put up
with the hideous noises you'll make at first), I would say go for it!
Finding a nearby pipe band or an instructor is a good place to start.
They can answer your more specific questions far better than I can.
Hope this helps.
Donald
Dona...@worldnet.ATT.net
U.S.A.
John Richardson
Will,
I'm going to take another approach. "Technically", the pipes are not
a difficult instrument. There are only nine notes on the bagpipe
scale. The piano, by contrast has ?88? (I think that's right). You
don't have to reach so far for notes, the GHB is much more portable.
But there are limitations. Because there are only nine notes the
number of tunes is limited. Any pipe tune can be played on, for
example, the piano. Not every piano tune can, or should be played on
pipes. I have pipe music for Send In The Clowns. Pretty tune, but
*not* a pipe tune. Some people don't like pipe music because they've
heard tunes not written for pipes played on pipes...and they don't
sound good. Point being, sometimes we try to learn a tune and have no
idea what the tune sounds like. In the States, we didn't grow up
hearing Highland Laddie, Bluebells of Scotland, or, say The Black
Bear. Only nine notes, don't forget, but tunes with which we aren't
familiar.
If the pipes are not "technically" difficult they are "practically"
difficult. There are four reeds in the pipes; 3 single reeds and 1
double reed. All four of these have to be in tune...each with each
other. Sometimes, after being tuned, they even stay in tune for a
while. Who was it who said, "I love it when a plan comes together!"?
All this to say with practice the pipes aren't *that* hard to learn,
but they do take practice, and really good instruction. I've played
for 6 years and go to Pipe Camp every summer; I love it. I'll never
stop learning, and don't want to. I'll never stop practicing,
either...can't. The pipes take strength to blow, the practice chanter
ddoesn't, but the pipes do, and we pipers have to keep "our wind".
Get a teacher and do what he or she says to do. Talk to others who
play and find out who they like as a teacher, not just someone who
plays. A teacher doesn' have to be an Open Class piper. The teacher
needs to know how to teach music, not just the instrument. Music
theory is as IMHO important as the nine notes on the bagepipe scale.
I've rambled, I'll close.
John Richardson
Frank Orioles
Will Madewell wrote:
>
> I've always liked bagpipe music. I've been thinking about learning to play,
> but is it really difficult, or just as hard as learning any other musical
> instrument? Thanks!
I'd tend to agree with John, I've just received my first chanter a week ago. I can
play the scale one way,(up). Right now my fingers hurt after about 20 min., and
the blowing is alittle strenuous too. I've not looked for a teacher yet. The first
advise I got was to learn the basic notes, to the point you can play any one on
request. This will put you ahead some. At 33 I've no musical backgroud but will
give it my best. Depending on your wallet the outlay for a good chanter, tutor,
and maybe a cassette is less than $100. Just do it!
Frank