WELCOME
My name is Jon Darrah, I have been a member of the Los Angeles Police Department since 1989. Over the years I have daydreamed about playing the pipes, this year I am determined to make it happen. I was looking at NYPD's and Chicago PD's Pipe and Drum Band web sites and was duly impressed with the fact they have about 100 guys each on the roster respectively. Chicago draws from all of the law enforcement agencies in the greater Chicago area, as LAPD draws from the greater LA area, however we are nowhere near that many people on the roster. I got to thinking that out of all the agencies in the LA area, I can't be the only cop out there that is interested in learning to play the pipes or drums and joining our band. So in addition to learning to play, I am running a recruitment campaign with the idea that if we get a group of us starting out at the same time, it will be easier to support and motivate one another to combat the attrition rate. If you have any questions please click on my name under contributors to be directed to my e-mail.
Getting Started
Well you made it to this blog page which shows you have an interest in the subject matter. This is good, because a desire to play is all you need, the rest is quite doable if you have the desire. The reason I'm going into this is there are some people that say they love the sound of a pipe and drum band but could not go on this journey with us because: " I am too busy and don't have the time" or "I can't afford it". To address the time issue, 10 to 20 minutes a day of practice, every day, is what we are shooting for here. I have been told on good authority that with 10 mins on the practice chanter a day, you should be playing the pipes in about a year ( your mileage my vary). As does any long journey it starts with that first step which brings us to can you afford it. The only thing you have to buy to get going is a practice chanter. The middle of the road price is around $65 to $85. I will refer you to Oliver Seeler's web site from the links section, click on" Oliver Seeler's universe of bagpipes". Oliver has all kinds of tutoral information that covers the selection of a practice chanter quite well. (There is not a lot of mark up on these but I have spoken to Oliver and he has agreed to knock a few bucks off if we order 4 or more at a time, let me know if interested in taking him up on that, and don't buy a tudor book until you have spoken to the Pipe Major on the subject). So the initial investment is around $80 for a practice chanter and $25 for membership in the Emerald Society which gives you group lessons free of charge. A good set of pipes will cost you around $1100. Yes that is a good chunk of change but you have about a year to budget for that. ( to be cont.)
The Ultimate Piping Guide—Starting Off: Tips and Advice for the Beginning Piper Enjoy this first installment of free online
bagpiping guides. Feel free to download and distribute. This guide includes helpful tips for those starting off on the Highland bagpipe, setting up your instrument, and improving your playing experience. This short guide is written with the learner piper in mind, but there is useful information for pipers at all levels and experience.
Included in this guide:
• Starting Off Right: Eliminating the more frustrating aspects of the instrument.
• The Comfortable Bagpipe: The ideal bagpipe setup for comfort & steady playing.
• Synthetic Drone Reeds: Set-up tips for optimal performance of synthetic drone reeds.
• The Strike-In: Yes, You Can: No more blown attacks—learn the skills for the perfect, professional start. by Chris Hamilton
Download.
The Summer School of Piping is now set up to accept registrations for 2010.
The school is still in Carlsbad from June 18th to 25th, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact John Keys at
the3keys@cox.netYou can find additional information and registration forms at
www.bagpipesummerschool.com
At some point in time in your piping career you will need private instructions. I can not over emphasize the importance of one-on-one instruction versus that of a group setting. It will take longer to re-learn or re-train yourself from those bad habits then it will be if you learn correctly the first time.
Aaron Shaw is an outstanding instructor that I would recommend. He gives private instruction and is also available via the Internet for instruction. Below is the link to his web site.
http://piperaaronshaw.com/index.htmlIf you have have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Take care and happy piping.
The Ultimate Piping Guide—Starting Off: Tips and Advice for the Beginning Piper Enjoy this first installment of free online bagpiping guides. Feel free to download and distribute. This guide includes helpful tips for those starting off on the Highland bagpipe, setting up your instrument, and improving your playing experience. This short guide is written with the learner piper in mind, but there is useful information for pipers at all levels and experience.
