Chiff and Fipple Forums

As an isolated piper myself plopped right in midwestern Canada, I would like to know if there are any other isolated pipers here and would like to ask, what has helped you progress?

Ex: Meeting other pipers, learning reedmaking, skype, sessions, reading music?


Just would like to know what could help me as an isolated piper myself.



Thanks.

It was 40+ years ago when I taught myself to play, in some isolation for the most part living in Australia. One or two tutor books helped but mainly I listened. I put all the recordings of my favourite pipers onto Cassette tapes and had a tape player with auto reverse in my workshop. Luckily I worked alone and could have a tape running continuously. Tunes and techniques were learned by osmosis ( or in my case by OZ-mosis )....

My favourite pipers were Seamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Tommy Reck, Leo Rowsome, The Dorans etc.... my Parents generation in fact.

I think it feels natural to learn this way, by absorbtion.

Regarding isolated pipers, (I'm an isolated piper) What do you guys do in regards to maintenance? I think the need to tinker is the most daunting part for me in regards committing fully to the pipes (I am borrowing awildman's practice-set for trial).

Assuming you guys have had to tinker, have you guys learned to tinker well on your own? Any tips on learning to tinker well?

In my area, I've thought about reaching out to the GHB-pipers (as there are a lot of them) but I actually don't know how helpful that would or wouldn't be.

About two years of halting, solitary progress now.
Episodes of face-to-face instruction have helped the most.
Tinkering is the huge challenge, especially the chanter reed, and it is still a mystery to me. I don't know how long it will take me before I can confidently adjust it to work (or know to leave it alone) as well as the one experienced piper that lives within two hours' drive of me. Finding leaks was tough until I learned to be no-nonsense and methodical and stop making assumptions.
Compared to that, actually playing is fun, really (when all is working!).
Ken

Echoing Geoff, listen, listen, listen. Get the NPU tutorial DVDs, practice regularly. Not only was I isolated, I was stuck in Alabama

dave boling

I'm not isolated,but I would think that this forum is a great help
RORY

In addition to listening and this forum, going to workshops has been the biggest help. The O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat and Swannanoa have helped me the most. You get confirmation on what you are doing right, correction on what you are doing wrong, and a lot of inspiration and social connection.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated everyone.



Indeed this forum can be of great help, surliness and all

AaronFW wrote:Regarding isolated pipers, (I'm an isolated piper) What do you guys do in regards to maintenance? I think the need to tinker is the most daunting part for me in regards committing fully to the pipes (I am borrowing awildman's practice-set for trial).

Assuming you guys have had to tinker, have you guys learned to tinker well on your own? Any tips on learning to tinker well?

In my area, I've thought about reaching out to the GHB-pipers (as there are a lot of them) but I actually don't know how helpful that would or wouldn't be.

Interestingly enough I have used the same reed ever since I got my chanter, it's about 5 years old now.


In the winter when humidity can drop to about 20%, the reed still plays OK, aside from a Gurgling and unstable Bottom D, and a sinking Back D, just have to play a soft D.

Where are you in Midwest Canada? There are pipers in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg (I think), northern Minnesota, southern Minnesota, Northern Michigan, Detroit area, east/east-central Wisconsin, Chicago, etc. There will be pipers about at festivals in Saint Paul,MN and Milwaukee WI next month too. Maybe a pipe-about is in order?

Ken_C wrote:Tinkering is the huge challenge, especially the chanter reed, and it is still a mystery to me.

I always 100% recommend to any piper that has the time, interest, and money, to get into reed making. It made a huge difference for me, especially as a piper who gigs regularly. I can typically get my reeds to behave in any venue. And when I get a chanter from another part of the world, I can make a series of reeds until one works well. In fact, I have a chanter from Europe waiting for me to make a reed for it, as the reed arrived playing extremely sharp. If you're able to start making reeds, there are free books and videos, and the tools and materials are all fairly cheap. The most expensive piece for me was the gouge.

dyersituations wrote:

Ken_C wrote:Tinkering is the huge challenge, especially the chanter reed, and it is still a mystery to me.

I always 100% recommend to any piper that has the time, interest, and money, to get into reed making.

Good suggestion. I've been watching for a chance to try it in a class, but heck, maybe I should just give it a go on my own. I have the interest and probably the money, just need the time!

Ken

Ken_C wrote:Good suggestion. I've been watching for a chance to try it in a class, but heck, maybe I should just give it a go on my own. I have the interest and probably the money, just need the time!

I understand that one! Well if you find the time, check out the reed making videos on pipers.ie (http://pipers.ie/source/section/?sectionId=133), the Hagerty book (http://pipers.ie/source/media/?sectionI ... diaId=9753), and Evertjan 't Hart's guide (http://www.hartdd.com/reedmaking/Intro.html). Another good reference for issues once you can make a working reed is http://upreeds.com.

Youtube has great info. Especially looking for the videos where the pipers explain a bit.

tommykleen wrote:Where are you in Midwest Canada? There are pipers in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg (I think), northern Minnesota, southern Minnesota, Northern Michigan, Detroit area, east/east-central Wisconsin, Chicago, etc. There will be pipers about at festivals in Saint Paul,MN and Milwaukee WI next month too. Maybe a pipe-about is in order?

Edmonton, Alberta.