So about a month ago I received my Hubbert D half set. It’s a stellar piece of work, both visually and aurally. Mr. Hubbert is quite nice too, and an excellent player. I’ve been practicing for about the same amount of time as I’ve had them (minus some for school and other things) and I’m finding out how wonderful and how frustrating they can be…but that’s the appeal, right?
So when Mr. Hubbert gave me the pipes, he told me the reed would likely be a little hard for me, and would only get harder making the trip from Northern California to Southern California. He was spot-on, I think. I can play the chanter alright, but I have to play with the bag 5/8-to 7/8 full to be in a comfortable arm pressure range. I’m finding out that certain notes are more finicky than others, mainly the low G and bottom D, which has the propensity to jump the octave if the bag is too full or if I’m squeezing too hard. As well, my hard D is difficult to attain, though I can get a nice spectrum of high/low harmonic ratios depending on bag pressure, which I like. I hold the bag high up in my armpit to get more control of the pressure, although think this may lead to me over-pressurizing the bag at times…any thoughts on all this?
Other than that I’m having the normal ordeals adjusting to the grip and getting everything to seal right, and I’m trying to get comfortable with the tight fingerings. As frustrating as this all can be, this is one of the most rewarding musical experiences I’ve had. To have a Hubbert set as my first one really makes everything easier, by virtue of the set sounding absolutely brilliant.
Rejoice and be happy - it seems, that your instrument is in fine order, and you are doing everything right!
The rest is a matter of practice and experience - I wish I had had a start like you…
Thanks so much for the encouragement and peace of mind! I have yet more questions now!
The first one has to do with back D. I have no idea what to do with this note. I know it’s just about the most ornery note on the whole instrument, and mine is pretty well-behaved, minus being a bit sharp. It’s got a clear boundary where I know I’m giving it too much pressure, so at least it’s not inconsistent. Lifting my G finger seems to recif the sharpness. Is this terribly unorthodox? I know my A fingering is already different, taking off 3 fingers as opposed to one.
Also, my grace notes are…sluggish, I guess. They sound for too long and I’m trying for the distinctly pipe-y shorter ones. Any tips?
If your back D is okay except for being a bit sharp, apply a bit of tape to the top edge of the tone hole to make it a bit smaller - it’s easy to do, totally reversible, and you can go ahead without having to get used to unorthodox fingering from the start. As the weather changes, the back D might well go flat again. A flat back D is much more of a problem.
What is the problem with your A, that you have to lift 3 fingers?
As for the grace notes - you’ll just have to practice… think of them as a snappy sound effect rather than as a tone. Practice long tones cut with short grace notes, to clearly distinguish between grace note and melody note.
Although opinions differ about this point, I think it is good for a beginner to practice grace notes on the whistle, it makes it easier to concentrate on the finger movement without at the same time having to concentrate on bag and bellows.
I absolutely agree. The Southern California Pipers club is an active club with great players. (and is a great group of people to get to know). They can help with any aspect of your piping.
The A with only one finger lifted is unstable. If I’m slightly below normal playing pressure it goes flat fairly easily. The 3-fingers-off A is what my pipemaker suggested, actually. Maybe this behavior is normal though and the answer is “well don’t slack off on the A pressure then!”
Yes indeed! I went there once before I had my pipes, but I have yet to visit with them since my pipes’ arrival.