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Subject: Beginners and Instructors Author: Scot Kortegaard [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 01:14:08 05/21/03 Wed I'm new to this forum, and I haven't read all the posts here ........ but, there is something that disturbs me. I've read a few posts asking some very basic questions i.e., "how do the reeds go in?", "just bought my pipes, now what?". While I don't want to be less than helpful, I really can't stress this enough. Get an instructor!!!!! You really can not learn to play the bagpipe properly without one! It matters not how far you need to go to have a lesson, or how infrequent your lessons are. YOU need a lesson, or two, or a hundred. For a beginner, the quality of instruction is important, though a poor instructor is better than none at all. You'll find you'll progress so much faster, with less frustration, and in the right direction. The fact is you may learn to do things altogether wrong without a teacher, and only find yourself having to re-learn. There are few places on this earth where a piping instructor is not available. Do yourself a favour, and take a lesson!!!! Cheers, Scot. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Bob Watt [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:30:56 05/21/03 Wed You are quite right to suggest that learners like myself should seek out an instructor for this very complicated instrument. I struggled at my golf game for years before I got instruction. I am really pleased with the results and the money was a good investment. If i'm going to do something for the rest of my life, why not do it right? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Mike Miller [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:02:21 05/21/03 Wed Snip You really can not learn to play the >bagpipe properly without one! Snip Until I started looking at these forums and News Groups, I had no idea there were so many out there trying to learn with out an instructor. I have met some people trying to learn on their own and really suggested that they get instruction, but often get the response, " I play violin, so I know how to play an instrument, There are only nine notes, I think I can handle it." Almost as though I insulted the person. It is a shame , because there are some strictly bagpipe things and there are probably some things in other instruments that you don't need to concern yourself with on the pipes. Similar thing for Drummers. " I played a kit drum in a garage country band when I lived in Texas" IT is a shame because, not only are these people not being realistic, but they are not exposing themselves to what can be accomplished on bagpipes or highland snare drums. I give them full support in trying but when some one suggests lessons, it is advice that is not meant as an insult, it is meant to be helpful. I have been playing many years, not well , but many years. I still enjoy helpful tips from the many more proficient than myself. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Kevin Gilstrap [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:22:05 05/21/03 Wed Hey Scot! Good to see a familiar name out here! I just wanted to comment on your post. I agree completely with your advice. But the statement about a "poor instructor is better than none at all" may be ture most of the time; but there are exceptions. I once had a student come to me that I found out was taking lessons from a person that knew to be the absolute worst piper on the planet. The poor guy that came to me didn't know that he was in the hands of such a hideous player. I truly think that the guy would have been better off trying to teach himself from books and using the internet; not that I recommend it. I spent nearly a year trying to undo the damage. Anyway, good to hear from you again! Kevin >> "For a beginner, the quality of instruction is important, though a poor instructor is better than none at all." [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Scot Kortegaard [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 01:55:05 05/22/03 Thu >Hey Scot! Good to see a familiar name out here! I >just wanted to comment on your post. Hiya Mike, good to see you too!!! Thanks for the warm welcome. I agree >completely with your advice. But the statement about >a "poor instructor is better than none at all" may be >ture most of the time; but there are exceptions. I >once had a student come to me that I found out was >taking lessons from a person that knew to be the >absolute worst piper on the planet. The poor guy that >came to me didn't know that he was in the hands of >such a hideous player. Actually, you're right. We have that same guy here (or his clone) that takes on poor unsuspecting people, and pawns himself off as an instructor. He teaches poor technique, it's sad actually. I've had to undo alot of his teachings myself. I wonder though, this guy DOES put in the time, he DOES care about tying to get these students started. He realizes if nothing else, that he can't take them past the basics, so I guess he limits the damage by passing them on to another instructor fairly early. Most beginners have no idea who to go to for instruction, and wouldn't even know who to ask about it. So, I think it's got to be the responsibility of the local pipers to be sure that students are getting quality instruction. In short, you're right ........ somewhat ;) I don't think we should discourage the lesser instructors out there. They provide a valuable service; to students, other more proficient instructors (in that they provide the basics to the students and pass them on to other more qualified instructors), and derive satisfaction for themselves on another level through instructing. We should though, attempt to keep an eye on these prospective pipers in the care of these hack teachers, and rescue them when it's needed. Been there, done that!!!! I truly think that the guy >would have been better off trying to teach himself >from books and using the internet; not that I >recommend it. I spent nearly a year trying to undo >the damage. Anyway, good to hear from you again! Good to hear from you too!!!!! Nice to have some civil discussion without all the garbage like that on RMMB. I'm taking a sabaticle from that loony bin. I'm going to wait to see if the drive to expel the local troll(s) is successful. We shall see :) Cheers, Scot. >Kevin > > > >>> "For a beginner, the quality of instruction is >important, though a poor instructor is better than >none at all." [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Pipe Major John Mitchell [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:47:31 05/22/03 Thu Big Snip -< >Good to hear from you too!!!!! Nice to have some civil >discussion without all the garbage like that on RMMB. >I'm taking a sabaticle from that loony bin. I'm going >to wait to see if the drive to expel the local >troll(s) is successful. We shall see :) Highly doubt it! Usenet does not consider flame wars to be abusive! Sad! Back on topic, after reading many posts from all forums, I still see many students struggling in the 3rd year and that's with instruction. Question is, how good is the quality of instruction? I think some students create a fear of starting on the bagpipe after being on the chanter for over a year. There's no reason that a beginning student couldn't at least learn to start playing the pipes with just the knowledge of the scale. It's a starting point and everything they learn on the chanter should be learned on the pipes too. Why wait? JM [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: trainfever [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:47:53 05/22/03 Thu > I'm new to this forum, and I haven't read all the >posts here ........ but, there is something that >disturbs me. I've read a few posts asking some very >basic questions i.e., "how do the reeds go in?", "just >bought my pipes, now what?". > While I don't want to be less than helpful, I >really can't stress this enough. Get an >instructor!!!!! You really can not learn to play the >bagpipe properly without one! > It matters not how far you need to go to have a >lesson, or how infrequent your lessons are. YOU need a >lesson, or two, or a hundred. For a beginner, the >quality of instruction is important, though a poor >instructor is better than none at all. You'll find >you'll progress so much faster, with less frustration, >and in the right direction. The fact is you may learn >to do things altogether wrong without a teacher, and >only find yourself having to re-learn. > There are few places on this earth where a piping >instructor is not available. Do yourself a favour, and >take a lesson!!!! > Cheers, > Scot. While I thoroughly believe that a newbie should get an instructor. I have one question. What is a newbie supposed to do in the meantime? I have been searching for a month and have not been able to find an instructor. So what should I do, forget about the pipes? Instead of criticizing, why not just be helpful and answer the newbies questions. I know I would appreciate the help in the meantime. That is until I can find an instructor. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Scot Kortegaard [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 01:48:41 05/23/03 Fri *SNIP* So what should I do, forget about the >pipes? Instead of criticizing, why not just be helpful >and answer the newbies questions. I know I would >appreciate the help in the meantime. That is until I >can find an instructor. Hi "Train", Like I said in my original post, I don't want to be less than helpful. And I definitely wasn't being critical. It was meant as kind advice. There MUST be an instructor somewhere in your neighbourhood. Have you tried the local pipe band? Have you tried posting here and to the other piping forums, looking for an instructor in your area? I also mentioned in my post that a drive is well worth the effort. You'll get SO much more out of a lesson. You'll learn more in an hour or two with an instructor, than you will in a month or two on your own, and that's not an exageration. And (hopefully, with a good teacher), you'll learn it properly the first time. It makes learning a joy, as opposed to a chore. This is an instrument, and should be fun don't you think? I'm not trying to withhold any help from you, or any new player. I'm an instructor myself, and I've been lucky to have very good teachers in the past, and today. What I was trying to do was see that a new player gets LOTS of help. This just isn't the best medium to teach the bagpipe :) Face to face is best, always. So do please ask your questions. If I can help, I will!! And hey, better yet, c'mon over, and I'll give you a lesson. Cheers, Scot. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Bob Marlowe [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:55:54 05/23/03 Fri >While I thoroughly believe that a newbie should get an >instructor. I have one question. What is a newbie >supposed to do in the meantime? I have been searching >for a month and have not been able to find an >instructor. So what should I do, forget about the >pipes? Instead of criticizing, why not just be helpful >and answer the newbies questions. I know I would >appreciate the help in the meantime. That is until I >can find an instructor. Where are you located? Maybe someone can help find one for you. There are a couple of sites that list instructors, but not all the instructors are listed on them. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: trainfever [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:31:33 05/23/03 Fri >> I'm new to this forum, and I haven't read all the >>posts here ........ but, there is something that >>disturbs me. I've read a few posts asking some very >>basic questions i.e., "how do the reeds go in?", "just >>bought my pipes, now what?". >> While I don't want to be less than helpful, I >>really can't stress this enough. Get an >>instructor!!!!! You really can not learn to play the >>bagpipe properly without one! >> It matters not how far you need to go to have a >>lesson, or how infrequent your lessons are. YOU need a >>lesson, or two, or a hundred. For a beginner, the >>quality of instruction is important, though a poor >>instructor is better than none at all. You'll find >>you'll progress so much faster, with less frustration, >>and in the right direction. The fact is you may learn >>to do things altogether wrong without a teacher, and >>only find yourself having to re-learn. >> There are few places on this earth where a piping >>instructor is not available. Do yourself a favour, and >>take a lesson!!!! >> Cheers, >> Scot. >While I thoroughly believe that a newbie should get an >instructor. I have one question. What is a newbie >supposed to do in the meantime? I have been searching >for a month and have not been able to find an >instructor. So what should I do, forget about the >pipes? Instead of criticizing, why not just be helpful >and answer the newbies questions. I know I would >appreciate the help in the meantime. That is until I >can find an instructor. I'm from Philadelphia. Northeast Philly to be exact [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Beginners and Instructors Author: Jim Fleetwood [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:08:53 06/02/03 Mon If you really can't get any face to face time try LivePipe.com It uses a software called Paltalk and enables immediate audio contact between a student and some excellent teachers. The audio is perfect and despite some skeptics it really works. Face to face is always the best but this is a great and workable substitute in your situation. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]