On Piping Practice

Playing alto saxophone in 4th grade I was faced with the challenge of practicing. My Mom would gently remind me; my band instructor would remind me; listening to my playing would remind me of the need to practice. It’s not that practice makes perfect, but that practice can lead to proficiency. My technique will improve and I will be able to play more challenging music. There is an added component to practice in that it is physically preparing us to play outside of practice. Practicing the sax increased my strength of diaphragm, embouchure, and arms for holding the sax as well as gave my fingers a workout for controlling the instrument. So it is with the bagpipes.

At band practice most any evening we spend time with selected music for focus. We will play on chanters as a pipe corp. Passages will be explored; technique fixed; and unison of play emphasized. At times we will play chanters and pads. We will work with music, then without just watching the PM’s fingers and foot. We will work with metronome, then without. At times we will then play a passage solo with for all to hear. If anything gets me to practice it is knowing I will be playing in front of my peers and the PM. I guess I’m a sucker for peer pressure, even where pressure does not exist. I want to be as good as the top pipers in the band. So practice is part of that needed trajectory.

When we get to playing the pipes, we should expect that the practice translates in any tune. And we see that proficiency is enhanced by this method when we play in the circle. Remembering back to my earliest chanter lessons, my tutor put me through my paces until my lips were sputtering. With each subsequent week I improved and lips strengthened. Today if I set the pipes down for any extended length of time, my lips / chops / embouchure and gut / diaphragm / lungs will be shot and I will once again be left sputtering by the end of practice. But if I keep my pipes going, my time practicing will be fruitful. I will be able to focus on my chanter practice and my pipe practice hopefully increasing my skill.

Every practice do not need to be focused on exercises and memorization. Sometimes the best practice is just to play at a favorite locale, and play for the sheer joy of playing. That too will point out that more practice is needed ;-)



The lesson learned is: practice, Practice, PRACTICE!