I have been teaching bagpipes face to face and using Skype for several years, with a number of successes. The Skype approach is a compromise compared with face to face tuition, but has proven to be a very good one for many situations. This article discusses using Skype, or other similar internet based tools, for … Continue reading Is Skype too great a compromise for bagpipe lessons?
Legends with practice chanters
Many people have said that the practice chanter and the pipes are different instruments; just because you are a “legend” on your practice chanter doesn’t mean you will be brilliant with a set of pipes on your shoulder. So, what’s behind this, why does it matter and what can be done about it? I recently … Continue reading Legends with practice chanters
Expression and phrasing are not the same thing
As a musical community, we are particularly poor at teaching our musicians correct basic terminology, let alone correct playing technique. I often discuss phrasing and expression with pipers and drummers, sometimes on contest critique sheets. And, yet, I am now clear that many of our musicians, and perhaps even some of our adjudicators, may not … Continue reading Expression and phrasing are not the same thing
The Bagpipe Academy - Articles 