Bagpipe Lessons
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Classes & Lessons >
Bagpipe Lessons
Jan 2000
Oddly, my son has expressed interest in learning to play bagpipes.
Does anyone have any earthly idea where to take such lessons? And
by the way, is it possible to rent a bagpipe(s)? (is it singular
or plural?)
piedmont adult school has bagpipe lessons - from
www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/pas/music.htm:
N735 BAGPIPES, BEGINNING
Ellison Dunlap, Jr.
This is an introduction to the great Highland bagpipes. Students will
learn the basics of reading music and playing bagpipes by playing a
practice chanter, the preparatory instrument for bagpipes. No experience
is necessary. As students progress to playing the bagpipes, they will
have the option of working with more advanced students in a classroom
setting (Wed, 8-9pm) and/or within a pipes and drums band (band practice
is Mondays 7-9pm). Very beginning students 7-8 pm, Intermediate students,
8-9pm. WED. RM. 501 PMS. $55.
Katherine (Jan 00)
... I know that you can get bagpipe chanter kits. Try the music
stores in the area (Forrest's, Tupper&Reed etc). I've also seen them
advertised in catalogs (maybe Signals or Wireless? almost undoubtedly
Lark in the Morning, which is a music catalog). You start learning
with just the chanter because you can actually practice in the house
that way!
Another idea is to go down to the Starry Plough on Monday nights. This is
a bar (so I'm not sure your son could go in!), where they hold Irish
Dancing and Music every Monday night, starting around 7 and running till
everyone is exhausted (usually between 11 and 12 mid). The local Celtic
musicians show up to play, and one of them a) might play the uillean pipes
(not sure of the spelling--it's pronounced "illin", and means elbow
pipes--the smaller, Irish pipes as opposed to the larger Scottish ones), or
b) might know someone who plays or even gives lessons. The Starry Plough
is located on Shattuck south of Ashby, at Prince, I think.
And lastly, the local SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) branch might
have ideas for people to contact about this. (Many's the time I was
awakened at a Tourney by some over-enthusiastic piper!) The College of St.
Katherine meets Wednesdays on the UC Berkeley campus; contact Liaden
(Jennifer Reinhart) at delerium AT uclink4.berkeley.edu, or call
510-981-1774.
Dawn
My son Ryan decided that he would learn bagpipes a few years ago and
there are a number of resources out there.
Piedmont Adult school at Piedmont High gives classes. For bagpipe
lessons, you will start with a chanter. It's the oboe part of the
bags - the pipes. No one starts with bags. The chanter is expensive
enough. We got the chanter and book at Forest's music on University.
Do go for the more expensive European made chanters. There are
cheaper ones made in Asia, which, though acceptable are not as good
tone quality. Playing the pipes are difficult. It takes a lot more
air and tonguing than most instruments. Each traditional note is
preceded by a grace note, so for each note you hear, there is a split
second note ahead of it. Did you look in the yellow pages under
bagpipes? There are pipers there that can give you names of local
teachers. Ned Garrett at 843-4862 was Ryan's teacher, but I don't know
if he's available. He was marvelous - patient, kind, understanding,
inspiring. Ryan is playing three different instruments in three
different bands now and hopes to get back to bagpipes. I love the
sound.
E.
My neighbor plays the pipes and said one can learn to play in the Piedmont
Adult School. The class is Weds night at 7pm. Call to arrange a visit.
Initially you start by buying the book for $15 and a chanter (practice
pipe without bags) can be bought for $30 at Lark in the Morning, a great
music store in San Francisco (Ghiradelli Square?).
Good luck,
Jeffrey
A few newsletters ago someone asked for bagpipe lessons. My good friend is
a drummer in a fine pipe and drum band. They have done well in competions
all over the western US. Here are the names of Bagpipe players from her
band who teach lessons. My drummer friend is Barbara Crawford in case they
ask who gave the referral.
Janice Richey, 415-898-4840, janice AT well.com
Teri Broadhurst, 415-892-5565, teri AT lmi.net
Annette Huddle, 415-206-0684, ginanet AT igc.org
Lynn (2/00)
this page was last updated: Apr 2, 2004
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network