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First, look at the pictures before reading this. I know they look terrible, but they give the basic idea. Let's start off with just holding the chanter. Now, hold the chanter as it were a clarinet or oboe. Don't have the chanter too close to you or too far away from you. Have your elbows out from your bady, but keep your hands straight but relaxed. Now look at the next picture. Place your left hand on the top four holes (three in the front, one in the back) and the right hand on the rest of the holes as shown. If you feel more comfortable playing with your right hand on the top, that's ok. However, keep in mind that the majority of most pipers play with the left hand on top, but some of the greatest pipers played with the right hand on the top. This is known as being "right-shouldered" because of their playing with their right hands on the top and having their pipes set up accordingly. Moving on, place your hands on the chanter as shown, holding the the chanter firmly, but not tightly as this greatly impedes your ability to finger the chanter comfortably and cleanly. Firm, but relaxed is the ticket! Now check to be sure that you are covering ALL the holes. Retain this position, it's imperative! When you are sure that you are covering ALL the holes, front and back, blow in the chanter and relax. You should be sounding a clean, low-sounding note. If you are making this sound, all is fine. If not, fix your hands until you sound that note. When you are sure that you are sounding this note, proceed to the scale. |
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