I can play a handful of tunes (not well), play scales into the second octave, isolate some of the triplet runs…but I need a good practice regiment. any suggestions?
Arbo
Pick out a tune you want to learn.
Figure out what prevents you from playing that tune the way it should be played.
Work on it. Work on the smallest bits that you can. If it’s going from one note to the next, work on that. If it’s some embellishment, then work on that. Whatever your weakest aspect, as a piper is, work on that.
Repeat as necessary.
FWIW, according to the research it takes about 1000 hours of dedicated, focused, guided (i.e. have a teacher) practice to get to the serious amateur level. That’s an hour a day for three [years].
When I started playing I was isolated from other pipers and tried to learn on my own. My advise is to not do this. The NPU lessons (both on the website and DVDs) are fantastic, but you really need another piper to help you with the frustrations you will undoubtedly encounter. If you are isolated from other pipers, Tionóls are a great way to find the closest pipers to you. Also look into meeting via Skype if you have high speed internet. Many great pipers are now teaching lessons if you want to go that route.
I agree with this advise! Play slow to begin with - speed will come.
Jimmy O’Brien Moran told the group at a Tionól that it is better to play a few tunes really well than to play a lot of tunes poorly.
Jimmy O’Brien Moran told the group at a Tionól that it is better to play a few tunes really well than to play a lot of tunes poorly.
Jimmy must have heard this from John Skelton! Nevertheless, good advice. Thanks.
Arbo
Jimmy must have heard this from John Skelton!
Ummmm. No. Definitely not.
Trust me.