A while back I posted some questions in regards to learning the uilleann pipes, now the journey is starting to take shape. I have the money to get a practice set and I am debating on one to get, but that will wait until
another post.
My problem still is locating a teacher, the source I thought I could take lessons from no longer exist. So if anyone knows of a teacher close to mt. pleasant michigan help me out. Or any ideals on locating one.
If I can not find a teacher I may wait on the pipes a bit longer, as I do not want to form bad habits and such as others have warned me of.
You may have to take your mountain to Mohammed, i.e. attend some of the upcoming piping workshops. The big one is coming up next weekend in Vermont - The Pipers’ Gathering. There’s also the East Coast Pipers’ weekend coming up at Halloween. I believe there’s some piping around Ann Arbour. There’s the Al Purcell piping weekend coming up in September there.
Attending some of these classes/workshops will let you know what sort of insanity you’re letting yourself in for, as well as put you in contact with other pipers, piping instructors, reed makers, pipemakers, and a chance to ask others about their sets and what they bought from whom and why. You may be able to get some contacts for pipers close to you that way.
djm thanks for the reply, the problem is that travel is out of the question as of right now. if you did not notice on the whistle board I had a roll over accident and have been left without a car. I have the money to buy one, just as I am in college starting the 26th I have no need for one other than for Uilleann related events
But seeing as ann arbor is only about a 1/2 hour from were I live those events would be worth going home to.
If there are any Uilleann players in michigan fill me in on gatherings or uilleann related events.
I don’t know of any pipers actually in Michigan at the moment.
My wife is from Kalkaska. We spend the week of Thanksgiving in Kalkaska every year, so if you are interested in getting together that week for a tune or two, drop me a PM and we can trade contact info.
Irishduffy, don’t give up the piping ghost yet. There are Michigan pipers who contribute to this board. I am sure that in time, one will answer your plea. Learning these things is one long time consuming process… but it is well worth it if you have the patience.
I believe forum member marcpipes is in the Detroit area (I could be wrong). Check here for the Al Purcell Weekend: http://www.geocities.com/thelongnote/ If you can’t wait till then, call some of the folks associated with the event to see if they can provide you with contacts for pipers near to you.
I don’t know of anyone north of Lansing that would be much help to you getting started. You probably should consider resigning yourself to the necessity of travel if you want to live in Mount Pleasant and study the pipes.
For networking purposes and maybe a bit of inspiration, come down to the Al Purcell weekend in Ann Arbor in early October.
snoogie, I am not sure about Thanksgiving time yet, but I will keep you in mind if I am not going to travel to any family.
Joseph E. Smith Thanks for the inspiration, by the way I hope you know you are the one that got the uilleann bug in me you just had to send me the fingering chart.
djm As far as the Al Purcell Weekend I cant wait, if nothing else it would be a great place to meet some people with some intrest in Irish music:D
ballysodare Later on in the week I might give you a buzz, I would like to hear about your uilleann experience, and who your teacher is. I may take you up on the offer on getting me started if you were serious.
Pat Cannady Fill me in with who you know in michigan regardless of location my summer location is close to ann arbor, just up north part of the year. I will be buying another car sooner than later, so I will be able to travel. Just if you can find stuff close by, why not use it. I knew when I began to become intrested it would be a journey. I just can not be traveling out of state is what I should have wrote.
Thank you all, soon I will be asking all kinds of newbie questions you have answered over and over.
I Duffy wrote:“Joseph E. Smith Thanks for the inspiration, by the way I hope you know you are the one that got the uilleann bug in me you just had to send me the fingering chart.”
…another one bites the dust! You thank me now…just wait 'til the pipes fill your head every waking and non-waking moment!
So if anyone knows of a teacher close to mt. pleasant michigan help me out. Or any ideals on locating one.
