Old Guy Learning Scottish Smallpipes video 1 - Keeping a steady pressure

[@Davidiona]

Thanks so much for your reply to my questions. I have followed your link to Ross Calderwood. Like your good self I am an old guy (86) I have started to lear the practice chanter. I am only hoping I have not bitten off more than I can chew! I would so love to get this under my belt. I would dearly love to play "Wild Mountain Thyme" This was the last tune I heard my son play who died of cancer aged 32. Blessings to your dear wife for such a great birthday present. Slanche.

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Thank you David. All the best to you on the practice chanter, and thank you for the blessings for my wife.

[@diegocalvorodriguez]

Nice to see it, Im a semi-old costarican trying to learning the smallpipe on the tropics,, thank you for the video

[@aikidragonpiper71]

I play the highland pipes but I was recently given a set of McCallum Folk pipes (small pipes). Not a bellows blown but a mouth blown. My folk pipes look like miniature highland pipes. They will definitely help me practice without angering my neighbors.

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

Brilliant! I'm about 7 years into doing a series here on you tube learning the Pastoral pipes. It's encouraging seeing other learners. And it's never too late, in fact if you don't use it you'll lose it, so they say, so go for it and learn more stuff, I reckon! Keep it up, thanks 😊

[@aidanhughes2444]

Mate, Im from Australia and I’ve only just leant about the smallpipes, but you’re an absolute inspiration

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Thanks Aidan, I'm just an auld fellah trying to learn from a book, but your words are deeply appreciated. If you want to learn more about Scottish Smallpipes, the Lowland & Border Pipers' Society is a good channel to follow. kzbin.info

[@bramvanmelle5130]

Nice one, well done! Love your humour, I've been making similar jokes myself. I've got the old guy personality, just waiting for the body to catch up... I've been at home for a few days, did my back in, so nearly there! I just said to my wife that whenever I hurt myself my first thought is "will this affect my piping?". She said that's her first thought too. Everyone's a comedian, but she did let me get smallpipes last year, so I'll take your lead and get them going. Look forward to following your progress:)

[@geoffwaller1742]

Great video, your story is the mirror of mine. The only difference is I’m in my mid 70s. I have had my McCallum SSPs for only a week. Some progress but will be a long road. Please keep posting so I can see how you’re doing.

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Thanks Geoff, I will be posting when time allows. There's a certain point in your life when sitting down to play bagpipes seem a much more sensible option. All the best to you and your bellow squeezing journey.

[@kiml9358]

Great story. Thanks for sharing your journey. From what I see you are doing your wife, the SSPs and yourself proud! I’m a bit younger than you but not that much… and have been learning the chanter for about 8 months now. Slow but steady progress. My goal is to play Auld Lang Syne at Hogmanay so I always have to have several drinks before I practice to ensure I will be able to perform at the bells

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Slow but steady seems to be the way, for every tune I put up, there's a lot of just holding steady notes going on. Boring, but necessary. All the best to you and guid luck wi' Hogmanay!

[@cayjones2966]

Good video ! I'm also a Highland piper trying to learn small pipes at 76 years old ..... much harder than learning GHP

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Thank you. Yes, it is much harder, the pressure variables are very tight, but stick with it. All the best to you.

[@caoimhingibson2803]

Good for you man and thanks for the informative video. Ill definately buy the book. I played highland pipes as a kid for awhile buy have just acquired a set of smallpipes at 47 and also having a go . They are a mouthblown set but im building a bellows and adaptor to try out as well. Anyway i liked your video and the humour lol

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Thank you

[@Pteromandias]

Cool man. I'm 45 and I'm starting on this. We're probably in the same boat as I have no experience whatsoever.

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

Just stick with it, it gets easier, it's not something that is happening quickly for me, but I am improvong. All the best to you.

[@michaellanger9091]

I am 57 from germany starting highland bagpipes.

[@mccypr]

I just got my first set of Scottish Small Pipes the other day. McCallum Morrison in A. Yesterday was the first day that I had a go at them. I had to open up the Chanter reed a little. I think that I’m getting the “Crow” (per a Matt Willis video) on the upper register. I think that I know what to do about this issue. It’s really difficult to keep a good steady tone (Chanter only). Any suggestions? By the way: I’m also an Oldie. I’m 65. This isn’t my first instrument. 🎻🙂😎

[@PIPEHEAD]

Your first comment ! Most entertaining, but just one thing : - surely you could use your barometer for checking your tuning ? !!!!!

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

I have tried that out, but it only measures atmospheric pressure.

[@PIPEHEAD]

@@oldscottishguylearningscot9997 Sorry, that was a joke, but I hasten to say it was not aimed at you ! I think the suggestion to build a manometer is a great example of how bagpipers tend to be a few ***** short of a ******* . I don't care how good it would be for the job, it's still totally insane, compared to your own approach . I suspect the book must have been written in about 1809 ? Personally I am not even a fan of digital tuners, I don't have a barometer but I do have a tuning fork ! Nobody is going to develop their ear by using a digital tuner . Unfortunately for me, all the king's barometers and all the king's digital tuners will not solve my problem, which is due to my smallpipes having been made in a distant country whose name begins with P ..........

[@oldscottishguylearningscot9997]

@@PIPEHEAD No problem, Paul. I took it as a joke, and my reply was not a serious one.

[@timeastwoodbagpiper]

Oh and best regards to your wife.

[@johnmitchell991]

63 here, think my bellows are leaky

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Man does not have to worry about being handsome as the ladies decide that> your mirror s the greatest liar as it makes you look young when your not. Happy Pipping mate

[@karinsingleton157]

Are girls allowed 😉? I am 67 and got my set of mouth blown small pipes 3 months ago. Never played any wind instrument before (but piano dice age 10). I have a lot of fun with it but have to give a lot of credit to my instructor Matt Willis.