-Erik Leiken, 10/28/03.
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| Welcome to Erik's Bagpipe Method. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hi! I'm Erik Leiken and despite me being the bassist in the band, I will teach you how to start yourself on the bagpipes. This is so because I suck at the bass and I'm a little better at the pipes. So, lets start off with a bit of a disclaimer. The bagpipes are NOT the kind of instrument that you can teach yourself, unlike the kazoo or armpit. In fact, the pipes are one of the most difficult insruments in the world to play well even with a quality teacher. There are very few players that can be considered true masters. Fewer still are considered legends. However, don't let this deter you in becoming a piper. For example, there was once a piper by the name of John Wilson. When he was a boy, he blew off most of his fingers on his left hand with a blasting cap. He was heartbroken, as he was already an up-and-coming piper and now it seemed as if his piping days were over. He tried wearing prosthetic fingers, but they didn't work. Eventually, he was so determined to play again, he decided to try playing with the stumps. Not long after, he was winning competitions again and went on to become one of the world's most influential pipers and composers, stumps and all. Now remember, one of the most important things that you could possibly use in learning anything, is determination. It worked with me, John Wilson, and it can work with you too if you let it. -Erik Leiken, 10/28/03. |
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| This is me, playing at what was to be one of my final gigs with the Prince Charles Jr. Pipe Band, at the closing of the DeYoung Museum, New Years Eve, 2000. I still had my famous and now long-gone Mullet. | |||||||||||||||||||
| What you need to get started: | |||||||||||||||||||
| First, get yourself a practice chanter. A practice chanter is the instrument that you will use to practice the notes, gracenotes, and tunes that you play on the pipes. This will be played as long as you play the pipes. Then, get a tutor book. I highly recommend the College of Piping's book 1 (Known for it's green cover) and Major Archie Cairns' tutor book. These are all availible from most piping supply stores. Most music stores do not stock piping items, and the ones that do generally have poor quality bagpipe supplies that are usually made in Pakistan. Stay away from these! You can usually tell a Pakistani-made item by its cheap price, (For example, most Pakistani practice chanters cost about $20, good practice chanters cost anywhere from $40 to $200.) reddish-brown or pinkish-beige wood with metal or plastic mounts, and horrid sound and craftmanship quality. I recommend a polypenco chanter for a beginner personally. These are around $40-$60 and are virtually indestructable. One of my friends ran mine over with his bike accidently and it's still in great condition! You will have a choice of the standard or long model. The long model is made to feel exactly like a pipe chanter. I personally favor the standard size myself, as do most pipers. There is also a child size chanter available. The chanter, books, and any necessary supplies are availible from The Tartan Thistle in Washington. Their site is www.tartanthistle.com and tell them Erik Leiken sent you! After that, find a teacher if possible. If not, this site will show you the basics to get you started. | |||||||||||||||||||
| However, if you can't get a teacher or are just curious about piping, you can proceed to my bagpipe method. If you are using the method all you need is a complete practice chanter for now. Bagpipes come later! | |||||||||||||||||||
| If you are lazy and/or can't find a teacher, Don't despair, Erik will get you started! | |||||||||||||||||||
| One of my favorite places to buy piping supplies and great people to deal with! Click here to go to the Tartan Thistle! | |||||||||||||||||||
| To Erik's Bagpipe Method! | |||||||||||||||||||
| Go back home | |||||||||||||||||||
| Erik's Page of Famous bagpipers! | |||||||||||||||||||