Bagpipe Lesson 2: Finger Warm Up Exercises (4K)

Free PDF download: bit.ly/pipeles...
In today's video, Matt Willis Bagpiper will show you how to use the concept of paradiddles to create a quick and thorough warm up of all the fingers you'll use in playing the highland pipes. Great for beginners as well as more advanced players! Please like and subscribe if you enjoy the content!
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[@StylesTower]

Thanks for the excellent lessons Matt. I've been putting it off but now is the time to learn to play the pipes. They're the only instrument that can make me cry!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can do it!

[@jeffreysturgill7668]

Thanks for these videos, I'm 66 and had just started taking lessons when Covid hit and then we moved 3 hours away to an area without any pipers. I'd given up on learning, and although it's not a perfect solution, I believe your videos will help me to finally learn how to play the pipes. Thank you for doing this and may God bless you for it

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You are very welcome!

[@usernamemykel]

I've a friend with an interest in (flying) drones, so, kidding around with him, I sent an email to him with fiddle drones, then another with 12 hours of a bagpipe drone. Then, I happened upon your vid, which interests me because I happen to play Irish whistle/pennywhistle/tinwhistle, and in the past I thought that probably the fingering is the same on a bagpipe. I am delighted to tell you that you present a very well produced tutorial.

[@davidslobod5726]

These are great exercises and it’s surprisingly difficult to keep the fingering correct at higher tempos. I’ll definitely use these as an exercise routine. I’m sure with regular practice these exercises will help me play faster tunes with better grace note accuracy. Thanks Matt!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you are finding it useful, and yes, they are quite challenging faster!

[@gt350kr]

Thank you for teaching these finger exercises. I had my finger worked on in February 2023 for Dupuytren contracture and ready to get back into the exercises. I used to play Perddiddle kissing game with my girlfriend back in the 60"s, so Iv'e got a head start.

[@CaomhanOMurchadha]

As a drummer this feels relatively natural to me. Love it!

[@lesliethomson2441]

In my previous band, the Leading side drummer could accompany very well because he'd learnt the pipes, but even better, I took some drumming lessons and that helped my piping immensely, following the drum corps was a dream. In spite of all the drummer - piper banter (which I love) drummers have ALL my respect and admiration.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Yep same here! Another drummer learning the pipes!

[@iTeachMyToast]

Ditto

[@timharrigan6005]

Thanks for sharing, Matt! It totally clarifies what we talked about in class!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lesliethomson2441]

My dear Matt my pupils will end up hating you. Whenever I come up with a new idea they already know where it comes from ! ! ! GREAT keep 'em coming. OH BTW, I recently underwent an eye operation and have been banned from piping for probably a couple of months. So, now I'm applying your exercises on the PC WITHOUT blowing! And my fingers can feel the effort.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hope you can return quickly to the pipes, and glad you have a warmup here to keep the fingers limber. Heal quickly, my friend!

[@hadara]

this was SO GOOD!!!! I have been playing paradiddles for years on finger cymbals (bellydance) and i LOVE them! These scrambled my brain but in a good way because for the zills we only use the thumb and middle finger so it was really great to get all my other fingers on board!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you like them!

[@pemacal57]

Of course! Warming our fingers is very important. Thanks once more for your videos!

[@crusaderofgod]

Thanks. This warm up practice could help 👍

[@williechuck]

Cheers! thank you!

[@kodirowley1071]

Great video

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks!

[@michaelmacmurdo7018]

Good stuff... Thanks for sharing!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for watching!

[@regentnoel933]

Thanks Matt, very well made and as usual helpful 🎶👍🥃

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrZen42]

I started to practice it, that's really interesting ! Thanks a bunch for this !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Let us know how it goes for you! Curious if folks will have the same results from this I did.

[@henrykartoffelsalat8578]

As a drummer, anybody saying 'Paradiddle' gets me excited. RLRR LRLL for live!

[@gunnsmoke357]

Good stuff

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Given it a try yet? Which one is toughest for you?

[@michaelgillespie1206]

Have you ever heard of an exercise where you lay your hands flat down on a table and practice lifting one finger at a time and choosing which finger to lift and when, it seems to be a great exercise for both building strength in the fingers and muscle memory for training the fingers to lift just when you intend them to. You only have to do it a couple of minutes from time to time and you'll notice improvement.

[@reedthebagpiper8802]

I’m trying to compose a song that I’m doing right now

[@zenodaalessandria1295]

Hello Matt, I have a practice chanter but it doesn't make much of a sound. I had it for very long and never used. Should I replace that part the make the sound or buy a better one? Can you suggest where to start to look? Thanks. A subscriber.

[@roblewis1139]

Thanks for these lessons, I am at day number2

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Keep it up! Let us know how all this goes for you!

[@fishmut]

Wow this shows me how much work is put into play the bagpipes and it’s only the start ,wow really thinking of buying a chanter , or should I get the cheaper bagpipes with the practice chanter included with reeds etc , also a question probably answered elsewhere but was wondering the recorder notes and whistle etc, are they the same notes as the chanter for practicing, I play a variety of instruments so was wondering , thanks.👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

As I think you found, the scale of the pipes is its own animal, and not related to the recorder (or anything else)...

[@jamiepage1066]

Thanks Matt, this is super useful! This is a bit of a tangent, but I was really interested to see you talking about the top hand little finger position at about the 10:00-minute mark. I have just recently realised that my little finger doesn't naturally seem to hang below the chanter for some of the time, as other pipers' do, but it's more or less always above the chanter and kind of held up in the air. I'm not aware of it affecting my playing (though I have been learning less than 2 years). Has your finger always held this kind of position and have you ever had any kind of adverse effects? Thank you again for everything you do - your videos are so helpful and informative and have given me such a lot of useful information this year.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the channel and are getting something out of my videos here. I hold my pinkie up from my days as a saxophone player before being a piper. There's a pinkie tablet with 4 keys that pinkie has to control, so I got used to holding it up.

[@hippyhebrewhomestead8593]

Awesome stuff. I might have to contact you here soon to set up personal lessons if you’re still doing that, I need a good teacher since my uncle now lives 30 hours away

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'm still teaching! Lessons slots are a bit tough to find, but there are still a few. :)

[@stevehastings4081]

Hey man thx for the info but i didnt notice until i watched the second or third time, that that pinky finger on the bottom was off the hole. I noticed bc of the tabs pics you shared. Just figured id save another newb like me some time by mentioning that the bottom hole is open

[@stevehastings4081]

Thx again for the video 🎉 this wasn't a bash 😂

[@staffanungsgard8803]

Love your videos and tutorials. The intro bagpipe music in this and many other of your clips is killing me. What's the name of the tune and who's the piper. I would love to hear the whole tune.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The piper is me and the tune is “All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border” and the full tune is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Xcpaprj82Ifqcsi=_ZwCdDdhUpffpKSq

[@staffanungsgard8803]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Wow! Nice! Thanks a lot!

[@jameswhyman4127]

Matt, I'm sure I've seen you mention it in a video, so I'm sorry for asking but what ear plugs do you use when playing indoors?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I haven't actually mentioned it, as they're just cheapie earplugs from Lowe's. I don't tend to use anything fancy.

[@jameswhyman4127]

@@MattWillisBagpiper ah fair enough! Maybe it was your headphones for the metrenom I was thinking of. Cheers for the reply, I'll get some yellow squishies!

[@MrTrburns4]

Matt, im gonna start calling you Dr. Evil, because this exercise is sick!!!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! It is surprisingly challenging, isn't it? Feel free to share with anyone else you think could benefit from this!

[@dianekeller7534]

I'm looking to learn how to play love the sound not sure whare to start got any tips

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can start here! bit.ly/BasicsPipes

[@dianekeller7534]

@@MattWillisBagpiper ok I had a teacher but just can't get out thare by his house

[@danielcervin5963]

im just starting to learn how to hold n stuff, but my right hand is hurting alot (the fingers) just after like 5mins, i think i hold it too tight, but the sound keeps getting wrong when i dont, i dont know if i need to blow harder or something, or that its because im not used to playing instruments with my hands 🤣 i do feel like i cover all holes with my fingers

[@rachelolsen6372]

Matt where are you getting your bagpipe reeds? (not chanter reeds) Gilmour reeds is not taking orders at this time.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I play either Melvin or Shepherd reeds these days.

[@Jabrwock]

For the pinkie sweep (method 2), do you have any recommended exercises to help stretch and strengthen the pinkie? I find I can do the upward sweep without issue, but when sweeping down my ring finger always shifts just enough to cause a B note. Other than that, this is a fantastic practice method! Definitely getting better at blips instead of bloops.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Try the methods in this video to strengthen your ring finger: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpTCe4KqhN2Kd9U

[@shawnwilke8129]

and what practice chanter would recommend on a budget... I am a musician, but I have had an interest in pipes since I was a boy...thank you for your time...

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Any chanter from a major baggage maker would work. I’d look up bagpipe retailer and see what is available in your area.

[@shawnwilke8129]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you..

[@overlord9119]

Matt, are you still paying attention to your channel?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Yep! I’m still producing videos, including my most ambitious one to date here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bILdpKyCYrysq6s as well as one yesterday on Wallace pipes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGS1coSHhJWBiKM

[@larrygeorge3988]

So I’m right handed but I play significantly noticeably better with my left as the bottom hand, should I learn to play with my right hand or stick to the left (on the bottom)?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

How far along are you? If at all possible I would switch to left on top, if you’ll forever be needing custom pipe bags and covets and it’ll be difficult to for you into a pipe band circle.

[@jeffreycofer7302]

Hey Matt, when I lift my left hand index finger and come back down the chanter stops suddenly. All the other fingers make the sound just fine. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Most likely over blow the chanter reed. Try reducing the air pressure you're blowing and see if that helps.

[@jeffreycofer7302]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you. I played around with it and am getting the sound more now than I was. Day two with my chanter and Im figuring out the pressures and finger placements. Your videos are helping tremendously. Thank you.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

40 years a side drummer, 2nd year learning pipes. Paradiddle on pipes? I'm confused!! :0 ;)) Right, off to the printer I go!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Right?! But man alive, is it effective!

[@lesliethomson2441]

See my reply above to Caoimhín Ó Murċaḋa Cheers

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Isn't it just?!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

It's fun because it's just like drumming your fingers, something I've done since I was tiny!!

[@amaryllisamaryllis8795]

Krass good I’am a beginner .. puh I don’t know if I ever can play so 😥🙈🫶🙋🏻‍♀️

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can do it!

[@amaryllisamaryllis8795]

I will try it 😊🫶

[@twinkiepie1625]

I sound so bad!!! I think my fingers aren't consistently covering the holes so the correct notes don't come out. Any suggestions?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can try wrapping some rubber bands above and below the holes to help guide the fingers into place until you really learn where the holes are located. An idea...

[@wmalanpezzuto7262]

Matt, this video is designated "2C" are there an A & B ?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

There will be… got sidetracked by some other video projects.

[@shawnwilke8129]

I don't understand why the need to sweep the hole... is it just a dexterity exercise?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Not sure the reason, but I’ve never seen anyone double tap their pinkie fast enough to make a birl. 🤷

[@shawnwilke8129]

@@MattWillisBagpiper i am completely new to the entire thing.. I just love the sounds, pipes and the hurdy-gurdy are two of my favorites... is the burl based on tone or is it strictly a rapid change of note?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

More info on the birl here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXuaYaKDaKh7m8k

[@room1271]

Subbed!!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks!

[@room1271]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I’m 53 and taking up the pipes and you’re highly recommended by pipers I’ve talked to. One of my songs on my channel “hail to the king” has uilleann in it but I want to put highland pipes to it instead. I’d love to her what you think of it. When I’m ready I’ll record myself in my studio. Cheers my friend

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

Fun fact: crossplane V8 engines fire in a paradiddle.

[@cleito001]

When I try the paradiddle on my chanter, it will 9/10 times stop making sound and hiss! Has anyone else experienced this? I have dried it out 100% and still facing this issue.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I’d have to hear it to be certain but it sounds like you’re blowing too hard. Try backing off the blowing pressure a bit.

[@pjohnburt]

Mine still sounds like a goat screaming....

[@CelticGermanicTxWarrior77]

Mine too lol

[@CelticGermanicTxWarrior77]

Maybe we need to wrap our reed

[@CelticGermanicTxWarrior77]

I just got my chanter. Same brand as this guys

[@CelticGermanicTxWarrior77]

Why does my top chanter hole sound so awful?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I suspect you need more air through the practice chanter (though would have to hear what's happening to be sure). I go over this in the first video in the series: bit.ly/BasicsPipes

[@CelticGermanicTxWarrior77]

Don't think he covered how hard to blow

[@WannaBRockstar1975]

I can't lift that ring finger ... noooooo

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Top hand or bottom hand?

[@ashleywhyte8820]

Libby in sgotint