Command Your Bagpipe # 1: You Need to Practice! - Bagpipe Lessons

[@jerrybecraft2889]

When I lived in an apartment, I rented a storage unit. They LOVED it that I practiced there. It was about $60 a month.

[@soidog659]

I use a set of small pipes at home when indoors, even the cats and dogs are happy, use the big set when outdoors.

[@WootTootZoot]

Cemetary's sometimes have areas they allow people to use for things like wedding photo's that they allow people to use. The cemetery I used would allow me to practice in the mausoleum if there was no one around. Sometimes they would have me play a small set with Amazing Grace and a few other similar tunes.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Brilliant! Your comment inspired me to add a "what do you do..." question at then end of all these video. Thanks!

[@frederickwilson8189]

Yes absolutely after all you are not going wake anyone up there are you!,

[@gustavf.6067]

This video is so important I can't even start to thank you for it.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You're quite welcome. Cheers!

[@LesliePiper]

I like the "chat" feeling. I'll prepare a video reply of my "solution" :)

[@bagpiperbruce]

this is great, a grip of reality before you set off. Its not something you can do once a week and expect progression.

[@thesuper8mm1]

Thanks for doing this, I need to get back into the habit of practicing before Arthritis gets to bad

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You're welcome! Next week I'll have Episode 2 up, where I'll discuss how to best set up your practice to get the best results.

[@LesliePiper]

All the best, do the practicing, let us know how it goes IN SPITE of arthritis, I share the feeling. Cheers.

[@Piperalpha81]

well said. it's good that people know they have to practice and how much time they have to put in to meet their goals

[@alastairhardie3134]

Learned my first tune from matt

[@pemacal57]

Very good advices! I become retired as a Law Officer 3 years ago and then I decided to, seriously, learn to decently play the bagpipes and at present I can humbly but proudly I improved so much... The secret is "to practice". (I have no musical knowledge and I learn watching tutorials with Practice Chanter). Thanks so much for your channel and advices.

[@waynestewart9380]

Very good video. When I practiced other instruments in my younger days, spent hours doing so. Since taking up the chanter many years ago, my difficulty was having an instructor near by. Now I have the pleasure of Gibson ceilidh pipes and love this very much. Again though no instructors near by so I push on with all the musical theory from my past along with help from internet. Retired now I have the time but find my main difficulty being stamina. My chanter is a Walsh which I have had for many years. Thanks again Matt for your dedication to the pipes. I will continue to build my lung capacity and my poor face muscles, what’s left of them at 69. Cheers

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the channel!

[@gunnsmoke357]

Thanks Matt. I’m fortunate to have the keys to the building I work at. If I arrive a few hours on any work day, that will give me some time to practice before others start to arrive. I also have the benefit of a nearby commercial plaza area and other commercial parking lots that are not too close to residential that I take advantage of at nights. (I live near DFW airport) On occasion if I’m the only one in the house, I will try to take advantage of that for practice. There are also cemeteries to consider. Some cemeteries are relatively free of anyone (living). It can be good reason the pay respect to those there and might as well do some funeral tunes like ‘going home’, etc.

[@terryodonnell5739]

I love this video. Having specific guidelines is how I roll and it is very matter of fact. No judgement placed on how much time you are spending on your practice. Just letting you know what to expect for what level of playing you are striving for. I find the where to practice very helpful. I have owned my own home for for most of my life, but in the next several years I am planning on moving back to Arizona (Tucson) and may be in a condo or townhouse situation where I would need to use the 7-10 park idea. I would have chosen 1 park and then probably had unforeseen issues with people. Plus it is good to vary the routine so people don't get use to you being the Tuesday piper at parks such-and-such that is there every Tuesday. Great job Matt Willis Bagpiper.

[@gapdragon01]

I stumbled on this idea: A baseball diamond in a local park. Because of the size of the field, it's easy to be far away from everybody. Also, the dugouts are nice, so they're decent protection from the weather. Just don't much up the nice baselines.

[@JBrooksNYS]

These videos are priceless for a piper like me who is trying to become the best piper I can possibly become, but I dont know any other pipers. Lot of great stuff about being a piper on this channel that isnt really covered anywhere else. So today I learned I'm not practicing long enough. I'll extend my sessions to an hour.

[@richardpaxton5059]

Thanks Matt, just what I needed to move forward, must appreciated from Canada.

[@pattyelliottseitz7826]

I am so glad I came across your videos! I thought I was the only piper with these issues of sneaking around with my practices! I love playing but it is very hard when you have disgruntled family members😜

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You are so welcome!

[@cmcer1995]

Great reality check on challenges to learning how to play an instrument that most do not even consider, where can you practice. When I was in high school band they had actual practice rooms open for use. When discussing practicing at home the wife said one song is all she could tolerate, otherwise find a mountain top, being in Colorado an option just a long commute. My church actually lets a group of pipers practice every Thursday evening inside, but I am not part of that group.

[@geraldm7435]

I've watched this video before, this season in my journey is a great time to revisit this video. Thank you for sharing Matt! 👍

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I've had to revisit this video myself. We all need to practice!

[@chrismills2012]

another solution to this problem is to get a set of mouthblown smallpipes. this way, you can practice blowing without making lots of noise. I am getting a new set of smallpipes, and can’t decide on mouth blown or bellows blown. I am looking in to a set of smallpipes in the key of D.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

As for bellows- vs. mouth-blown, that depends on your goal. If it's a practice instrument for the highlands, I'd definitely go mouth blown. If you want cane reeds and the richer sound that comes form them, bellows is the way to go...

[@katrionaoconner]

I get roughly 14hrs per week not including band which is 2hrs twice a week so 18 hours in total roughly. I have a busy, busy schedule but I fit it in just, lol. I'm very lucky I have found a cemetery I can go to every day.

[@stewartpoyitt5851]

Hi Matt Thanks for all of the great tips. I am really enjoying your good advice with the great technical advice. I am playing a set of 140(approx) year old Hutcheon pipes from Edinburgh with a Ross bag, and Crozier drone reeds. They were given to my grandfather years ago and I inherited them. How they got here to Australia, I don't know. I am picking them up more seriously now I am in my 50's, and using them to play for church and friends. My kids reckon at this time they are a great social distancing tool, but when we went into lockdown I figured that playing familiar hymn tunes at sunset and other airs would be a way of reaching out to families in my street. I live in a diverse multicultural suburb of Sydney Australia and all of the neighbours I have spoken to have enjoyed hearing the pipes. The Korean pastor's wife next door started playing Abide WIth Me on the piano after hearing me playing it on the pipes. Anyway, I also wanted to pass on a commemorative occasion for 15th August. This is the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 in the pacific, so Pipebands Australia have organised the occasion reached by the attached link www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au/events. I thought you may be interested. Stewart

[@chrisdavenport032254]

Hey Matt...good suggestions. I'm still negotiating a good practice time with my wife. Know any good marraige counselors?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The dulcet tones of our mellifluous and grand instrument don't sit well with her, eh?

[@pattyelliottseitz7826]

Chris Davenport ditto!

[@gunnsmoke357]

thanks again, Matt, for all your instruction.

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

My old pipey, ex Seaforth Highlanders used to say, ''practice, practice, practice, and when ye think ye've practiced enough, practice some more',

[@jakelehman8683]

As always, good stuff Matt! On the note of finding indoor practice, I'm a pastor and a piper in training and I second your comment about churches. Don't be shy to give a call or pop in to the office and ask. Most churches have good size sanctuaries that just sit empty most of the week (and people like me might even like the background noise!)

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for sharing! And people, don’t hesitate to call a local church!

[@adamwiggins9865]

Started at 13... practiced obsessively.. got very good... as a cook I had spare time... then In frustration of not being able to afford life got to be too much... went into Sewer & Water construction. My pipes went away for ten years. Now I’ve Moved to a small town, they have a local band... I was laid off for winter anyhow and I own a house in the country , so I pulled them out and bought new gear to set up.... I can blow tone for about 6 minutes before I get blown out.... I improve everyday.... but soon spring is here and I’ll be back to 7am starts and 6pm finishes won’t have time to do anything all summer and fall. THIS IS WHY EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT ‼️🤬 it’s sad.. my teacher was Jimmy Millar... his Father James Miller taught Rob & Sandy Campbell (of mudmen fame) I’ve still got my grace notes and playing tho👌🏻 I’ll be back‼️

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you have gotten back into piping!

[@waynefrancisfuneralbagpipe6551]

Matt, Your video's hit the spot! When it comes to going to various spaces to practice, I would always say I was spreading the joy around. ;P Not everyone likes the pipe, so I went to different parks, parking lots, school's on the weekend etc.

[@hfranke07]

Great video.... thanks

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you liked it!

[@ThomasSmith-hd9jf]

This is great resource for beginning and intermediate pipers.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the video useful!

[@grahambell250]

Hi Matt cld I put a video up on tuneing Bagpipes please its appreciated 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃👍

[@KameronFoster-x1i]

I try push for 1 to 2 playing the pipes because I wanna do them in the air force but one thing I need help with is how to I push someone to practice more as say my brother

[@jamesmoyar9894]

Your videos are great, man - keep 'em coming!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I appreciate that! And no fears, I have plenty more videos on the way. Cheers!

[@nevadacountymusic9439]

Thank you for this information.

[@geraldm7435]

Great video, bottom line, there's no excuse not to practice, especially if you really want to play (talking to myself :-))

[@cmac1999]

Needed this vid, thank you

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

An oldie but a goodie!

[@kurtb8474]

Lack of motivation can be a huge roadblock. I know. Almost as big a roadblock as location or finances. At age 60, I'm finding it hard to get motivated about everything I've loved doing all my life. I'm investigating this to see if I can turn it around. I'm sure it's got something to do with my age.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Motivation can be difficult to find, especially when frustrated. If you figure out what it takes to get you back on track, please let us all know! It may help a fellow piper!

[@dwniemela]

I'm 53 and never played an instrument, one of the regrets I have in life. I've always liked the pipes - such a unique instrument. I bought a cheap chanter off Amazon and didn't have much luck. Then I came across Matt's vids. He did a review of the Glencoe Black Watch e-chanter. It's about $180 with taxes & shipping, took about 10 days to get to WA state from Inverness Scotland. My dream was to figure out how to hook a set of McCallum pipes to scuba equipment and blast those suckers until the cops show up, but now I'm thinking when I can actually play this practice chanter, one of those Blair electronic bagpipes would be the way to go. I'm enjoying the heck out of learning, and am not real interested in performing. Plus, I really don't have the strength & stamina I did even just 10 years ago. These electronic things are the cat's meow for us older guys.

[@timothyaldrich9458]

Cemeteries work good as well

[@martinhay981]

Great motivational video.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I’m pretty serious in this compared to my newer videos. Glad you found it helpful!

[@FlyingOttoman]

I used to practice in Parks and Forests but now Winter is coming (Well, it really is ^^) and practicing outdoors is really hard because of rain and temperature. I live in Germany

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Not being able to practice indoors and it being super cold outside definitely makes everything more difficult... Some folks may just have to accept that a few months of the year will have to be practice chanter focused, and then once the weather warms, making extra time to get time on the full pipes.

[@JR-bj3uf]

I started playing when I was in my 30s. I got a good solid foundation and was competing in grade four solo marches. I moved to the country and couldn't continue with the band or with instruction. I put the pipes away for 20 years. I picked them up again. The more I practice the more I feel that my technique is bad and my embellishments are not right. I might be able to fix it if I had more time, more money for lessons and if I quit the band (which I love) to work just on my playing. It's very frustrating.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Pipe bands can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to one's solo piping. The band can motivate you to practice when you otherwise might not, and I have attended many events with various bands I would not have had a chance to go to if I had been solo. But yes, it limits the time you can work on your solo repertoire, and if any of your technique needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, that can be difficult as you "need to be ready NOW" for pipe band events...

[@JR-bj3uf]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I feel that I have a plate full of lose ends with a lot of conflicting goals. The ultimate goal is to be a much better piper but it seems that the band can actually conflict with this and harm motivation. I have found your D Taorluath video to be quite helpful.

[@Quantumanticz]

"Finding an excuse to play them" Ive had to set a timer so I dont go over an hour every day or I'll play for multiple. As much as I'd enjoy that, my wife and kids wouldn't and I'm pretty sure my neighbors would hire a hit man. We play the most incredible instrument in the world, be proud of it and use that as motivation to keep practicing.

[@jonathanlewis4077]

Hello dear friend as a good idea 💡 for me I play small pipes very quite enjoyable playing bagpipes

[@adamwiggins9865]

Legion/ veterans posts are places to get indoors to practice...the Lions/Shriner clubs..... knights of Columbus halls might let you in if you offer services to them.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Great ideas! Thank you for sharing

[@drturkey1318]

Dang what did you do for nights , are you a doctor, or nurse?

[@johnblaskiewicz3549]

Any advice on building stamina for beginners or is the answer to simply practice and it will come?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I recommend building upper body strength, with pushup being one of the best workouts. I'd be aiming to perform 25-30 pushups before needing to stop (more is better!). Also building your cardiovascular endurance can help (elliptical, jogging, swimming, etc). And of course, playing the instrument more helps too!

[@jakelehman8683]

(You've probably figured it out by now, but I'll throw in my 2 cents) I'm also a novice piper and one of the best pieces of advice I got was from Steve, the pipe expert up at Henderson's Bagpipe shop in Traverse City, MI. He suggested/commanded me to settle on low A and just play that while holding the note and drones steady for as long as I can. After a few months of doing that every time I played, I noticed a HUGE difference in my stamina when playing tunes. That being said...listen to Matt! Good luck! :)

[@588holly]

I only have had my chanter for several weeks. Doing 15 mins everyday, how much is too much on my ombersher?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

At 15 minutes a day, forward movement will be slow, but it’s way better than none! As for too much on your embouchure, that’s not really a thing. It’ll strengthen over time.

[@kevoman4980]

Matt, I’m trying to get back into the pipes after a 7 year gap. I downloaded the tuner you recommended, istrobosoft IO tuner. Lots of variables in set up. What are the basic configuration settings I should load? Thanks!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Do you have an Apple product? There are additional setting for that vs. Android... You'll want to play a low A and see what frequency in Hz it's coming in at. Then you'll want to press and hold the "Concert A 440" on the lower right side until a slider appears, and then you'l want to adjust that slider to the same frequency as your low A (likely around 480-485 if you have a modern chanter). You can then use it to tune your drones as well. To tune the rest of the chanter, you'll again need to have it on an Apple device and purchase the World sweeteners pack which has a highland bagpipe setting...

[@kevoman4980]

Apple product, iPad iPhone

[@kevoman4980]

Sweetners purchased as well

[@kevoman4980]

Sweetners purchased as well

[@kevoman4980]

Temperament?

[@joekirk5731]

Tell what bagpipe is show them play for them prety instrument

[@kalebquery4417]

Do you know Bruce Hitchings?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Not personally, but he’s a great player and makes some fantastic products.

[@kalebquery4417]

Matt, could you check out my Instagram account? I am a piper and I just followed you

[@thebandlesspiper9040]

Hello

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hi!

[@hippyhebrewhomestead8593]

The pipes are too loud will never be my excuse anymore, thank goodness for no neighbors haha