Four people in my pipe band approached me about learning the UP’s now that someone is playing(learning) the instrument in their area. I really don’t think I know enough about the instrument to consider teach the beast.
Should I:
a) teach them as much as I know (which isn’t much).
b) recommend the NPU video. And use that as a resource.
c) all of the above.
They asked about seeing the beast. So I’ll bring it along on Wednesday and play them a few tunes. I would also like to ask which is the best way to teach the pipes. What songs and techniques do you teach and when.
If there are five of you, it would make more sense to pool your pennies and pay for a really good piper to come and give you group lessons. There is more to teaching than just showing what you know (or think you know). You might have to go through a few teachers to find someone who can actually teach, i.e. knows what to teach, when to teach it, how to teach it.
By example. Teach them your tunes and what ornaments you know. Point out how the ornaments vary from what is written down. Have them buy a whistle. Give them a list of palatable-to-the-uninitiated recordings. The ones that get the bug will go on to learn what they need.
in their area. I really don’t think I know enough about the instrument to consider teach the beast.