Hello, Welcome to my page with video lessons on how to start playing the bagpipe. It is probably best that you download the videos if you intend to use them more than once.
These videos were made with my iSight webcam using my Apple computer, but the quality is such that it is still useful, even for a webcam. There are two versions included of each lesson, the highest quality version available for those with really fast internet connections and a dial up version to accommodate shorter download times (ha, you can tell how old these videos are!). However, it is to be noted that the frame rate of the dial up versions is only 6 fps and so as the lessons progress into more complicated embellishments and tunes, although you will still hear the gracenotes and embellishments you may not see them.
Download the Book (last updated 1:00 p.m. May 1, 2007) that accompanies the video lessons, or use it independently! (.pdf 260 KB) It is a work in progress so check back for updates if I haven't included or finished the part that interests you.
Practice Chanter
Lesson 1: The scale (6 MB)
Lesson 1: The scale (852 KB)
Lesson 2: Crossing notes (7.5 MB)
Lesson 2: Crossing notes (1.1 MB)
Lesson 3: Grace notes (5.9 MB)
Lesson 3: Grace notes (804 KB)
Lesson 4: Grace note scales (8.4 MB)
Lesson 4: Grace note scales (1.2 MB)
Lesson 5: Taps (8 MB) - Not the tune :o) the embellishment
Lesson 5: Taps (1 MB) - ditto
Lesson 6: Grips (4.1 MB)
Lesson 6: Grips (548 KB)
Lesson 7: Throws (4.5 MB)
Lesson 7: Throws (616 KB)
Lesson 8: Taorluaths (3 MB)
Lesson 8: Taorluaths (432 KB)
Lesson 9: Doublings (5.1 MB)
Lesson 9: Doublings (840 KB)
Lesson 10: Slurs (3.2 MB)
Lesson 10: Slurs (524 KB)
Lesson 11: Hornpipe Slurs/Shakes (3.6 MB)
Lesson 11: Hornpipe Slurs/Shakes (608 KB)
Lesson 12: Addendum to Doublings/Slurs/Shakes (2.1 MB)
Lesson 12: Addendum to Doublings/Slurs/Shakes (344 KB)
Lesson 13: The Birl (5.8 MB)
Lesson 13: The Birl (872 KB)
Lesson 14: Thoughts on the Birl and different ways to play it (6.1 MB)
Lesson 14: Thoughts on the Birl and different ways to play it (1.2 MB)
Lesson 15: Embellishment Timing (7 MB)
Lesson 15: Embellishment Timing (1.4 MB)
Lesson 16: Addendum to G grace notes and doublings played very slow (11.1 MB)
Lesson 16: Addendum to G grace notes and doublings played very slow (2 MB)
TUNES!
YouTube has become a thing since I started this website, so I've got lots more there on my channel. Current listing includes the bagpipe version of Amazing Grace, Wearing of the Green, and Flower of Scotland, the Big Yin, PM Calum Campbell's Caprice, and Gravel Walk. Check it out!
I also upload some practice chanter work to my blog on occasion so dig around there as well. There's a Dark Island Video, a few minimally (or no) grace noted tunes (Amazing Grace, Gary Owen, Scotland the Brave), and some audio only stuff of Atholl Highlanders, Atholl Breadalbane Gathering, Dream Valley of Glendaruel, Farewell to Nigg, Murdo's Wedding, and When the Pipers Play.Amazing Grace - Tempo isn't constant, but more to help with fingerings. Sheet Music but with Throws and Grips replaced with single grace notes where appropriate.
Brown Haired Maiden - 50 bpm, embellishments played slow at beginning and sped up towards the end.
Minstrel Boy - played with the camera on my right (so you can see my left hand) and on my left (so you can see my right hand). - 50 bpm.
Piper of Drummond - played sort of slow. I played heavy throws. Probably better played with light throws. Depending on what effect you are going for.
Scotland the Brave - 50 bpm playing the low hand version.
Scots Wha Hae - Once through each part.