Mastering The "Birl" On The Bagpipe - * Free PDF Download

In this episode of “The Pipe Box”, Gold Medallist, Jim McGillivray breaks down the rhythmic and expressive nuances of how to master playing “Birls" on the Great Highland Bagpipe. * Download the practice exercises (pdf) - pipetunes.ca/birl-demo and play along with Jim.
A “Birl" is an onomatopoeic name for a common Highland bagpipe embellishment on low A, consisting of two very fast taps or strikes to low G. In this video, Jim explains the “Birl” embellishment and demonstrates the different ways to play a Birl (on the practice chanter).
There are, essentially, five types of birls - the "Double Tap", "Tap Drag", "Double Sweep", "Reverse Double Sweep", and (Jim’s preference) the "Number Seven”. From methodology to some practice lessons guaranteed to improve your Birl finger technique - Jim breaks it down in simple, clear language.
* For more exercises to enhance your fingering please check out Jim's book, "Rhythmic Fingerwork" - bit.ly/RhythmicFingerwork
Have questions or an idea for a future episode? E-mail us at [e-mail] - or join the discussion on Facebook at / pipetunes
This episode is brought to you by www.bagpiping.ca and www.pipetunes.ca
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this video!

[@mwaters5134]

What an incredible service to pipers these videos are. Thank you so much for sharing your time, talent, and teaching wisdom with us!!!

[@Pipetunes]

Our pleasure!

[@VickieGrayofGrayMatterISGRCLtd]

Thank you Jim!

[@williamlavallee8916]

Renaissance Wax works well birls and keeps the chanter looking good. Thx for the vid.

[@MAMDAVEM]

Interesting Jim, I am a similar vintage to yourself and was taught the tap drag method in the early 1970's. My father, who would have learned to play in the 1940's, played the 7 birl. He was taught by my grandfather who learned to play in the 1920's so probably played the 7 birl as well.

[@therealjetlag]

I was taught in the 80s to use a sort of diagonal push/pull method. It’s a combination of the double drag and 7 birl. I have since started retraining to use the 7 birl which is more reliable but goes against all of my programming and my original method pops out from time to time lol

[@carfix2000ca]

I’m the same. Learned a tap drag in the 60s. And when I’m playing regularly I get a good birl about 75 to 80 percent of the time. But I want it 100%. Been trying to work on a 7. I just find if I have to think about it I miss it.

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

Great video thanks. Can you make a video of the vocables you use for pipe tunes?

[@TreasureHuntingSWPA412]

My instructor taught me the tap and drag. I can play it beautifully....sometimes. I'm inconsistent. And that bothers me, so then I overthink it, and that probably hurts me even more. I'm going to try the number 7.

[@jesseburnette6028]

Sir, several have commented on using a varnish or lubricant of sorts to aid in Birls; I’ve also heard people taping a corner of the Low A hole. Can you provide your thoughts. I tried both methods with varying degrees of success. No substitute for good consistent technique-which is hard to come by-after 5 years, I’m just now getting an okay Birl about 80% of the time. Second part would be, how long should one of the 5 types before moving to an alternate type? Many thanks for these videos. They’re the best in the business, especially when you have to book to fall back on.

[@paulouellette6881]

Suntan oil always helps make burls lots easier !!!

[@mwaters5134]

LOL, no doubt.

[@marksmusicCC]

Very interesting even though I am a guitarist 😁