Pipers

[Graham]

I'm a failed piper. I tried for 6 months, I blew and blew on the 'misery stick'.
I'm just happy to support our local band as vice president and leave the playing to others.

Well done Sav, I envy anyone who can play the pipes, especially the uilleann pipes, scottish smallpipes, and northumbrian smallpipes. I love them all!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Sav... ever thought of bringing them alone one of these nights and joining in?;)

You know our music better than we do! It could be fun to have you, Kyf and Swanny playing some traditional tunes while the rest of us have a Guinness and a smoke (hint, hint).

Lord knows that having you get up and play some Uilleann pipes during the breaks would be quite welcome to the crowd. I'm sure that a few of the guys would even stick around and accompany you with it.

Consider it!

[Bob C]

Add me to the failed piper list. I got a chanter as a gift and took a few lessons, but was completely frustrated. I still have the chanter.

Lately, though, a piper has been chiding me to try again and offered to tutor me. I'm considering taking my daughter along (she has actual musical talent) and trying again.

[Barb T]

I'm a piper - been at it for about 4 years. Started when I was 50. So, nothing is impossible! But, it is a _hard_ instrument to learn. Took me about 8 months to learn to play the chanter and memorize a dozen tunes (my teacher's requirement for getting pipes). Once I got my pipes, it took me almost a week before I could get more than a squeak out of them even with the drones corked. Took a month before I could play Amazing Grace once through (no drones). I started playing with the band about a month later, and that was an _entirely_ new experience. In the circle, you can't hear yourself play unless you make a wrong note, which makes it suddenly seem like a new instrument altogether. And then they add drones, and then _marching_, for god's sake. Through it all, my daughter (who has piped for over 10 years) just kept saying, "You're doing fine, mom. Just keep at it, and you'll get it." Without that, I might not have persisted!!

Barb

[jjoseph]

Just started a bit o'er a month ago. I think "kilt_nave" is also on the list of newbies.

I'm taking lessons from a professional piano tuner turned piper and sitting in on the local piper band's practice sessions. Beaucoup de fun!

[Kilts_Knave]

Yes, I bought a chanter as a birthday present to myself. It is very challenging.

All you need is to find a pipeband nearby. You may pick up your lessons for free --how Scottish!

[Piper]

Another piper here, albeit a relative neophyte. I've been taking lessons for just about 5 years, and on the pipes for almost 4 years. I started just shy of my 50th birthday (and gave up a 36 year smoking habit to do it). I currently play the Great Highland Pipes, as well as mouthblown Scottish smallpipes. My repetoire at this time is between 50 and 60 tunes. I do most of my piping in conjuction with Rendezvous or Reenactments (living history buff), although I've piped some weddings for friends, and a dedication ceremony for the local fire dept. No band though, work schedule won't allow it. I generally tell folks that I play for my enjoyment, and the neighbors' annoyance.

[highlander_Daz]

I learned on the chanter at school inspired by my uncle who is very good, after a break im back on the pipes and have recently joined our local pipe band and will be pipeing tomorrow (Tuseday) a lament for wallace