If you were starting new from scratch–knowing what you know now–what would you do differently to help your piping?
Would you have played whistle until your 1/4 set came?
Perhaps bought a “budget model” 1/4 set (like what Pipeworks of Boston is putting out) to get your pipes sooner, rather than saving and waiting a year or two to get your pipes (assuming you did). Or not tying up $500 to $1000 in deposit money for an instrument you don’t know how to play yet.
I have a guy in his 20s who is interested in learning but wanted to know what he should do while he waits a year for his pipes. It’s been so long since I started I told him I’m really not sure what his best options are other than listen to piping CDs as much as possible and getting a little whistle under his belt.
I was lucky, I got my practice set within a week so the wait was minimal.
In answer to your question though, if the budget set was playable and from what little I have read on the board the UP works of Boston sets are, then I would say get the budget set, learn to play and save up for a flat set would be the way to go.
If the person in question has no background in music or ITM, whistle is a great place to start. If that doesn’t pan out, at least it was only a $10 whistle (I won’t even begin to address Whistle Acquisition Obsession Disorder). If this person is already into playing ITM, a whistle still wouldn’t hurt.
If cost is a factor, getting a practise set is the only way to go, but if they have the dosh and the patience, many people still insist on running out and getting a half-set to start. There are pros and cons to each approach, as previously discussed here ad nauseum. See the FAQ thread for more good ideas about starting up.
I second the whistle comment. If you can get the basics of tune playing, inserting ornamentation, keeping up with other players, etc. with the whistle, what you have learned will transfer in some way or another.
S. K. Cull
I do beleive that in my case (which may be or may not be the same as his) playing whistle helped me with the fingering, but it has been trying working with the chanter having my left hand up top and the right on the bottom.
With this in mind he should understand (no way am are my intentions to discourage)that the chanter is a different beast entirely…very humbling are the UPs in general.
KD, Tim Britton is making my practice set. He lives about two hours away from me, so it worked out perfectly. And I will be able to take lessons from him as well.
Just a quick congratulations. I personally love Tim’s pipes and you’ll find he’s a great piper. I can’t speak for his teaching skills regarding playing, though.
Thank you! It was quite a shock when I found that pipemaker/piper with a good reputation lived reasonably close to me. I feel very lucky. I believe someone commented that they had a very good experience in a workshop he was involved with. And he was certainly very nice on the phone. I am both excited and nervous. They should be done sometime in the spring.
Okay, Cynth, now that you’ve been perverted … er … _con_verted, its time we start putting the pressure on Lambchop to come over to the dark side. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Well, I think she is doing really well on the flute. She sounds like she’s gotten over some major hurdles and is feeling good about her progress. Ummm, I’m not sure I would like to be the one to pressure Lamby into doing anything!
I’d say get a whistle and go through the tutors (Clarke etc) and learn the tunes. Then you can wean yourself off the notes and start playing by ear. Learning tunes will really help so that when it comes time to wrestle the beast, you can at least concentarte on the other 30 other things you have to do with the pipes.
When you get a set you’ll really be ready to tackle the tutors.
Also, try and play the whistle with piper fingering. It will at least get you ready for the proper finger technique. There is plenty to read on this forum about proper fingering etc.
[quote=“Jack Macleod”]If you were starting new from scratch–knowing what you know now–what would you do differently to help your piping?
consult and engage, on a retainer, a psychiatrist.
but seriously, buy the best practise set you can afford (if it’s good, you will always sell it easily if you change your mind), arrange lessons, start straight away, and listen to as much solo piping as possible.
