Tips for learning northumbrian half longs (border pipes)?

[robehickman]

Hi all, I'm borrowing a set of jon swayne northumbrian half long bagpipes, which appart from being mouth blown appear identical to border piples.

Can any experianced pipers offer some advice on learning to play these? I've played outher wind instruments before so know how to breath on them, but how should one learn to control the bag preasure, and what the 'correct' preasure should be?

Also ornimentation/articulations? How do they differ from while playing?

Also+, developing independance of blowing and fingering. Currently I keep forgetting to breethe...

I've never come across anouther piper around here (chepstow).

[BigDavy]

You could try The Lowland and Border Pipers Society for more info. They could maybe put you in touch with a piper near you.

David

[robehickman]

Thanks for the link.