Hi. I found myself in the same position over 30 years ago (and there were a lot less pipers around then). I'm in Liverpool and yes, you learn a lot of bad habits learning on your own - especially when your pipes are not quite in tune. I played for 20 years thinking it was me until I had them looked at and adjusted and it's hard to unlearn bad habits. That being said, there is enough around now so that you can hear what they should sound like (remembering that CDs are the work of professionals and so takes years of practice to sound like that). I'll never make a good piper (hands too stiff to do the fast stuff etc and probably just not good enough) but I enjoy playing (and trying to get better) and have never regretted getting my set. I think that's the thing to keep hold of - enjoy playing. There are tutors around and, with a little travelling, you will get to meet and hear pipers who will only too glad to pass on their knowledge to you. You will find that your ear is the best tutor once you have learned the basics - which is where I wish there had been someone around. I wasn't able to travel far as I didn't drive then and there was nobody for miles that played. (Newcastle was a bit far although I did go for an AGM and, after hearing others play, nearly put mine in the cupboard - but I didn't). Keep a watch on this list and you will find lots of help coming your way but be patient - it takes a while to get all the replies in sometimes. I have just replied so you get some feedback right away. More will follow, honest. There's probably someone nearer than you think. Hang in there, Colin Hill
----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Walton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 5:57 PM Subject: [NSP] Starting out > Greetings, pipers of the world. > > I'd like to learn to play Northumbrian smallpipes, so this seems like a > good list to start asking questions. I've got John Liestman's book, > which has given me some idea of what's involved with the instrument, and > from my recorder playing I've got a basic grounding in music theory, so > that's all fine and proper. > > However, no amount of looking has yet turned up any evidence of any > teachers or indeed players in the vicinity of Nottingham (which is where > I live), and this bothers me somewhat. While self-study is fine some of > the time, the pipes are such an entirely alien instrument to my previous > experience that I could easily end up with horrendously bad habits that > I'll never be able to correct. Or alternatively just get frustrated, > wreck the reeds and give up, which would be a dreadful shame given the > initial investment required to get a set of pipes. > > That initial investment also encourages me to seek any opportunity there > might be to get an idea of what the pipes are like to play before > getting a set made and risking finding out that I just don't get along > with them. > > What advice would people have for someone in my situation? > > Regards > > Matthew Walton > > -- > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > >
