I’m soon to have my very own practice set in a few weeks. I had a loaner, but really didn’t get to work on much. A friend of mine will be giving me lessons. I’d like to get some tutor materials to augment this. Is there anything out there? Or is everything geared towards isolated pipers?
Also, any multi-instrumentalists here? I’ve played the fiddle for about 4 years, also flute and whistle for 5-6. Should I expect my fiddling to plateau or deteriorate due to different muscle memory being developed, or perhaps less fiddle playing time? Odd question, I know. I love playing the fiddle and don’t want to lose that, however, I’ve decided that it’s about damn time I commit to giving the pipes a full try. Of course, If I’d started playing them 7 years ago when I caught the bug, it’d be a moot point. I was too much of a wuss though :roll:
Did you check the FAQs for a list of teaching materials? I’m not sure what you mean by “is everything geared towards isolated pipers”. Everything is geared towards teaching different aspects about piping - each author placing emphasis on what they think is most important. Since NPU refuses to publish a curriculum, none of the various courses covers quite the same material, nor in quite the same way. Its all good information/grist for the mill, though.
Expect your fiddling to decline with the amount of practise you don’t get anymore.
I guess I meant that since I’m going to be getting basic instruction first hand, I’d want something that leaves that out, rather than wasting space, and instead has material aimed at reinforcing those lessons and expanding on them. Probably too much to expect. I’ve seen many tutors mentioned, but a little overwhelmed. This is the first time I’ve gone this route for learning an instrument. I taught myself fiddle and flute. I’ve always learned instruments and music pretty quickly and easily on my own. The pipes however seem to be something I should take a more conventional route with.
Your fiddling and flute playing will suffer if you do not keep them up…which, once you really become immersed in piping, is about as predictable as your next breath. For whom does the ‘dark side’ toll? It tolls for thee.
Yeah, I figured they would decline. Of course, If I’d just taken the pipes up in the first plac, I probably never would have started the fiddle. I wussed out from the pipes, and did the fiddle. My excuses were “too hard”, and “I can’t afford them” Well, years later, I’ve discovered that my piper friends said they tried the fiddle and found it too difficult! (they’re great pipers too) and I’ve spent about $2000+ on the fiddle and bows and other accessories. So the excuses didn’t hold much weight.
Fiddle was my main instrument until Uilleann pipes arrived. I had to put the fiddle away to make any real progress on the pipes and now I’m not sure I can go back to it.
I’m not afraid of my fiddle playing suffering really. I’d be happy with going back to playing it at home for myself occasionally even if it wasn’t as good. The only thing I’d regret is not being able to play out with my friends. I’ve gotten to the point where I can do gigs and such. But, I’ve been bitten by the UP bug to long now for it to matter. Time to dump or get off the pot!
