Here's What You're Saying

Name: Kevin Rodden
City: Leigh,UK
State: Lancashire.
Country: UK
Band: Warrington Pipe Band
Comments:

Hi Jimmy, what a fantastic site it was forwarded to me from a pipe forum, when I posted a letter of support for my son who wants to learn the snare drum.

Once again great site.

Kev

Name: Chris Jung
City: Dallas
State: TX
Country: USA
Band: None
Comments:

These videos don't work under Windows XP...

Thanks!

Ken says:  I have XP on my office computer and they work just fine, so that's not the issue.  Some people have no joy getting the streaming stuff to work, even though they are using the same OS and version of MediaPlayer we use here.  Without being able to troubleshoot your machine I can't tell you what's causing the problem, but that's why I put the downloadable links right alongside.  Hope you can get them going one way or another.

Name: Mike Fisher
City: Middletown
State: New York
Country: United States of America
Band: -NA-
Comments:

PM. Bell,

Thank you ever so much for your time in the making of an instructional program that is not only fun to use but easy to understand. The way you take the video/text section and place it into a downloadable user friendly program speeds up the learning process while accomplishing the needed tasks to become somewhat proficient as a beginning piper.

I have taken lessons before from a few PM from local bands but for some reason the learning process never seemed clear which left many questions as well as unclear points of accomplishment. I would suggest that every beginning piper to light or heavy music would benefit by taking part in your online lessons.

In ending I myst say once again thank you for your help and time and thank you to Lyon Collage for it's assistance in helping to bring about a fine piping program of instruction.

Mike

Name: David
City: Brno
State:
Country: Czech Republic
Band: None
Comments:

Hi all, I found this site when I was starting to play pipes, and I found it amazing. It has been very helpful for me to be able to see how all the embellishments are played. This is really a contribution to better piping all around the world. Now I am searching information for our drummers, especially tenors - do you plan to add any videos of these? Please let me know - david@arste.com

Thanks,

David.

Ken says:  Greetings David.  We really want to add some more stuff.  We're just so busy all the time it's hard to find time to record, edit, prep for the web, and get it out there.  We do plan to add more drumming, and some tenor instruction at some point.  Check out www.euspba.org.  The tenors recently codified all the various flourishes and wrote out some massed band scores for tenors that are posted on the website.

Name: Robert Harrington
City: Toms River
State: NJ
Country:
Band: Pipes and Drums of Barnegat Bay
Comments:

I cannot get the videos to play I have MWP10. Iam I doing something wrong?

Ken says:  No way of knowing from here what's causing the problem Robert.  But that's why I made the link for you to be able to download a static file instead of streaming.  Download the lesson you're after to your harddrive, then point your MediaPlayer at it and open it up.  I used to live in Lakehurst when I was in the Navy, and went to Tom's River all the time.  I never saw you.

Name: Jenn
City: Yeovil
State: Somerset
Country: England
Band: Gillingham
Comments:

I've been playing for a year now as a side drum in a pipe band and I really like the College March. Can you do a video to show how to play it slower? I can read music but the triplet rhythm in the second bar I just can't get hold of... Thanks - great site.

Ken says:  Hi Jenn,  it might be a while before we could produce such a video.  We'd need to get Uncle Gordy out here first, and have time to get him in front of the camera.  With the hair and make-up, and his insistence on having all the brown M&Ms removed from the bowl backstage before he'll go on, it can be a bit of a problem.

Name: Mike (the Fish)
City: Middletown
State: NY
Country: US of A
Band: None at this time
Comments:

I have been piping off and on for a few years taking lessons from many different folks. Most of this time was spent being confused on the proper way of playing with many basic functions not being taught correctly and never being corrected as needed in a correct manner. Your site has cured all of this confusion and has NOW placed me on the proper path to make my need for piping a true "Labor of Love". I thank you for that with every correct note, doubling, etc.  that I NOW can play. You broke it all down and afforded me the needed instruction to clean it all up. Again I thank you for this and all the hard work that you put into this site, what a learning tool you have given us. Lastly , you have now given me the confidence that I needed to attempt to try my love of the "Big Music" the "P"! I thank you for that and the lessons that you have developed for the teaching of the "Big Music".

Fantastic job folks and from me to you all,

All the best!

the Fish (aka K9piper)

Ken says:  MORE LOW G on that Crunluath, Mike.  Open it up.  That's right.  Hehe.  Glad you're benefitting from Mr. Jimmy's tutelage.

Name: Raul Quintana
City: San Sebastian
State: Puerto Rico
Country: Puerto Rico
Band: N/A
Comments:

First I thank God, second I thank Rev. Quincy Collins for referring this site to me and third, I thank you for having this site available.

This site has valuable information! I am learning to play the bagpipe with the help of the Lord and from people (on the internet) who God has put on my road to learning the Great Highland Bagpipe. There are no instructors here on the Island. I am able to play 5 tunes now on the bagpipe. This site is of great value to my learning.

May God bless you all and thank you!

Ken says:  Hola Raul, Glad to hear the site is helpful to you.  I'm sorry our friend Mark is no longer stationed in Puerto Rico or we might have been able to put you in touch with a live piper from time to time. Good luck with your pursuit of the pipe, however.  I'm sure you'll find the resources to get you playing.  Cheers.

Name: Rev. Quincy Collins
City: Kentville
State: Nova Scotia
Country: Canada
Band: International Christian Pipers and Drummers Association
Comments:

Greetings, I began piping in my late forties and now 6 years later wanted to learn more about pibroch. A board member of IFCPD, of which I am the applications manager let me know about your site which is terrific. As I know of no pibroch pipers for several hours drive your site allowed me to begin to think about this classical form of pipe music.  I was wondering, for practice sake, do you know of a web site that might have practices for the movements your teach. I realize a great deal more is involved with learning this art form, however, I need some place to begin.

Also, what would you consider to be a good tutor for pibroch- say Archie Cairn's?Can you tell me if Clan MacRae has a pibroch piece or regular pipe piece and whereI might find it? I will be inducted as a new pastor in a church and my guest speaker, a MacRae from Scotland will be speaking.

And finally, what brand set of kitchen or smallpipes are you playing in your video?

Many thanks for sharing with us this ancient, magnificent type of music.

Quincy Collins

Jimmy says:  Hello Rev Collins,

I am not aware of any other sites that have practice for the movements other than repetition. Archie Cairn's book will be an outstanding asset for you. There are 2 tunes that come to mind, both in the Piobaireachd Society books, which are also great resources for information on different settings and some brief histories on the tunes. The MacRae's March is in book 10 page 302; and Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament is in book 4 page 121. Both are excellent tunes.

I do not remember where I got the small pipes. Probably Tone Czar/ Chris Hamilton. They are just an inexpensive set of tin drones with a practice chanter attached, but great for playing for long periods. Don't hesitate to email or call if we can be of any help.

Name: Nikolas Schipper
City: Quito
State: Pichincha
Country: Ecuador
Band:
Comments:

I love this instrument since I am a 6 years old (now I am 19) hear were I live it doesn't exist the best instrument of the world the bagpipe.  I have a chanter and I am practicing but it is so difficult just with books and now I found this videos, its great thanks for this!!!!! My mail is nico_sch23@hotmail.com if we can talk from now on it will be great.... I hope you can understand my English that like you can see it is not so good!!!!!

THANKS FOR THIS LESSONS!!!!!!!!!

Niko

Name: Rob Hilterman
City: Velserbroek
State:
Country: Netherlands
Band: Pipe (student)
Comments:

The pipe lessons are helpful. Site looks good. But can you help us with Tenor drum lessons ?  Tenor original (not the us version with multiple drums) thx rob H

Ken says:  Hi Rob.  We intend to get some tenor videos up there.  I just can't tell you when.  We get awful busy, and our best intentions sometimes go astray.

Name: Frank Johnson
City: Toms River
State: NJ
Country: USA
Band: Greater Trenton/Pipes & Drums of the Barnegat Bay
Comments:

Could you add some jigs, reels, etc??

Ken says:  Hey, I've been to Toms River.  And we'll see what we can do.  But don't wait up nights for it, we still ahve to get the new series of lessons that are in the can on line.  We're some busy dudes, I'll tell ya.

Name: Elkanah
City: Karlendijk, Bonaire, Neth. Antillies
State:
Country:
Band:
Comments:

THANK YOU for taking the time to do this!!!!

Name: Jean-Marc NAGEL
City: Le Havre
State: Normandy
Country: France
Band:
Comments:

I'm happy to find your web site. your lessons for fingering are very clear and, for a neophyte like me, it's a real pleaser to observe your instructor and listen the explanation.

Thanks.

Name: Edler Marco
City: Braunschweig
State: lower saxony
Country: Germany
Band: http://www.brunswiek-pipers.de/homepage
Comments:

Hello Jimmy,

Thank you for putting the lessons into the Internet. I am piping for 5 Years now and thought about Piobaireachd many times.
I use your lessons for starting to learn a Piobaireachd.  Maybe one day I will be able to play my pipes in the old way.
My interest is to play one of the oldest pipe music pieces, "Lament for Rory MacLeod". Some say written and played from one of the best McCrimmon Pipers. I would like to get a newsletter from you if something is added to your site

My mail
marco.edler@siemens.com
Thank you and best regards

Marco Edler

Name: David Rodgers
City: Ocala
State: Florida
Country:
Band: Florida United
Comments:

The video lessons for piobaireachd embellishments were extremely helpful. Being able to see the fingers and hear the lessons repeated automatically was great. I am learning the Company's Lament, and the smallpipe video is helping me understand the movement of the tune. Thanks for making these available, and please keep them coming. All the best,

Dave

Ken says:  Good on ya Dave.  Keep at it, and we'll see you on the boards.

Name: Richard Harris
City: Annville
State: Pennsylvania
Country: USA
Band: Quittapahilla Highlanders
Comments:

Great Concept. I wondered how long it would take for someone to get up to date on an approach like this. All of you did a wonderful job. We all have to remember that there are a lot of talented and potentially talented pipers, drummers and dancers that do not live in the areas where help and lessons are readily available.

Name: Roger A. Underwood
City: Ozone
State: TN
Country: USA
Band: Knoxville Pipes and Drums
Comments:

I think this is great. Been having a hard time getting my instructor (pipe major) to work with me on the Company's Lament. Trashed it in Gatlinburg weekend before last but am trying it again this weekend in Glasgow, KY. Thanks to this tutoring session I have a much better feel for the flow of the ground on this tune. It's bound to help, thanks.

Ken says:  Hey Roger.  Glad to hear the lessons helped out with your tune.  Too bad you're playing for Peter.  Jimmy is judging in Glasgow on Saturday and you could have shown him that you were paying attention.  Good luck Saturday.  But not TOO much.  Nancy is in your competition group.  Look for us and say hello.  I'm the stylish gent who ran amok in Kent.  Long braids, and a royal blue shirt this weekend.

Name: John MacDonald
City: Princeton
State: NJ
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

Thank you! I loved the pibroch instruction. This is a great thing you have doen for the piping community.

Name: JIM G
City: LONG ISLAND
State: NEW YORK
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

THANK FOR YOU EFFORT AND TIME. THIS IS A GREAT THING..

Name: Michael Williams
City: Duluth
State: Minnesota
Country: USA
Band: None
Comments:

Jimmy:

GREAT JOB! I've been looking for a good on-line lesson for piping! I found it... I especially like the piobaireachd section to learn more about the movements and found them to be presented minus all of the "mystery"! Thanks so much for the great opportunity to learn more.

The best part of the lessons are the way you instruct the tune at the end of the lessons...I'll be looking forward to more of that! AWESOME JOB!

Jimmy say's: You're quite welcome.

Name: Andy Paterson
City: Farnborough
State: Hants
Country: England
Band: 
Comments:

Great help, you explained the lessons really well, as a novice you have inspired me rekindled that spark again, would love to see more lessons on blowing the pipes ,the technique

Ken says:  Hi Andy, thanks.  Actually Jimmy has already filmed a whole bunch of new versions of the beginning lessons, and we plan to do several that show things like how to blow steadily, preparing yourself for solos and stepping up in front of a judge, and so on.  Just a matter of NO TIME.  We'll get to it though.

Name: peter hill
City: austin
State: mn
Country::
Band:
Comments:

I like the online lessons, as I am learning by myself I find that they are very clear and easy to follow, I have a band 40 miles from me but they meet on a Thursday night, and I work 4pm till 9.30. I have a video, CD, and 2 books.  Have been learning for 2 years, use to drive truck (no time).  I can play Amazing Grace now, hope to learn 2 more tunes this year.

Name: Wil W
City: Hobart
State: Tasmania
Country: Australia
Band: Hobart City Band
Comments:

Hi

Having just started in a teaching band your streaming video has helped refresh what I forget in the lessons each week. An excellent web site that I am sure others like myself will benefit from. It took me a bit to find you but in the end google helped.

Thank you

Cheers

Wil

Name: Eric MacEachern
City: Victoria
State: British Columbia
Country: Canada
Band:
Comments:

A Great contribution to the Highland Arts. Well Done!

Name: Jim Nisbet
City: Orlando
State: FL
Country: USA
Band: Florida United
Comments:

HOLY CRAP JIMMY!!! GOOD STUFF MAN, WELL DONE!

Ken says:  Wait until you see the new ones Jim.  Jimmy went all out over Christmas break and recorded a whole bunch of them.  They are currently being prepared for the web by Information Services and will be up as soon as they are available.

Name: MICHEAL
City: NAZARETH
State:
Country: ISRAEL
Band:
Comments:

BELLO THANK YOU DRUM

Ken says:  You're welcome Michael.  I think.  :)

Name: Cees Westerduin
City: 52° 04'38.39" N 4° 32' 36.84" E
State:
Country: The Netherlands
Band: The Seaforth Highlanders of Holland
Comments:

Just one word "Super"

Name: Marc Floodgate
City: Limavady
State: Co.Derry
Country: N.Ireland
Band: Banna Piob Naomh Muire Leim an Mhadaidh
Comments:

Just joined my local pipe band and currently learning the pipes and drumming too and its always nice to get in an extra bit of practice and tuition keep up the good work.

Ken says:  Greetings to N. Ireland, Marc.  There's some GREAT stuff going on in piping and drumming over your way.  Glad to hear we can play a small part in helping your tuition.

Name: Shawn Kurbanali
City: Dubai
State:
Country: UAE
Band: Dubai Pipe Band
Comments:

Absolutely excellent! This is a vital learning tool for anyone wishing to develop their skills as a drummer or piper. Thanks for taking the time and effort everyone. I can't really suggest any improvements - I like it just the way it is.

Name: Larry
City:
State: New York
Country: US
Band:
Comments:

Great Stuff, Reviewing the drum basics from start to finish was very helpful. More video.. It's a big help.

Name: Volker Hormann
City: Isselburg, Niederrhein
State: Nordrhein-Westfalen
Country:
Band: German-Lowland, Xanten
Comments:

It's a great help for learning! Please could you show more about timing and counting?
Thank you very much!

Ken says:  I'll see what we can do.  I have my notes from an excellent basic music theory class delivered by Roddy MacDonald at our summer school.  Maybe I can get those organized and then see if he would mind if I made the information available on the website.

Name: Jim Oates
City: St. Louis
State: Missouri
Country: USA
Band: John Ford Highland Pipe Band // www.jfpb.org
Comments:

Very well done with the tutorials. I have watched all of them and they are of a very high quality. I look forward to seeing future videos.

Kindest regards
Jim

Name: Khalifa Ali Almalki
City: RAK
State: Mamorah
Country: UAE
Band: Dubai pipe band
Comments:

I believe that there is something is wrong in Lyon College March (Drumming)
check it please, because there is a difference between the note and video .
Good luck

Ken says:  You have to watch those dang drummers EVERY minute.  I'll ask Jimmy to take a look and fix it if it's something critical.  Thanks.

Name: Kyle
City: West Nyack
State: MY
Country: United States
Band:
Comments:

I have been trying for about a month or so to find a site that offers an online tutorial for playing the bagpipes. I come to your site and am extremely excited to see the wealth of informational videos at my fingertips, but find that I am unable to play them. I have tried saving as well as streaming the videos. Is there anything else I could try?
 

Ken says:  I wish I could help you Kyle, but the problem must be at your end.  Our servers are dishing the files up just fine.  I would check the version of Media Player you've got installed and upgrade if necessary.  You might also give your IT people or ISP a buzz and ask them if they have some sort of firewall or something in place that would prevent your being able to get the files.  I don't know of any reason why you shouldn't be able to download the files and view them even if the streaming isn't working for you.

Name: Don
City:
State:
Country:
Band: Eugene Highlanders
Comments:

WOW, the piobaireachd videos are great and very helpful. MORE MORE MORE PLEASE !!
If possible, could you do a video on the "RODIN" movement ?

Name: PATRICK- RETIF
City: BEAUVAIS
State:
Country: FRANCE
Band: NORMANDY HIGHLAND PIPE BAND
Comments:

Thank you for your lessons.  Very well done.   For a beginner.

Name: Roger Risley
City: Duluth
State: MN
Country: USA
Band: Duluth Scottish Heritage Pipes and Drums
Comments:

Excellent snare drumming video (Lyon's College March). Please add some more drum scores.
 

Ken says: Thanks for visiting Roger, and glad you like the video.  No "S" in Lyon though.  Very popular t-shirt around here by the way.  We'll get some more drumming stuff up as soon as we can corner Uncle Gordon and shoot some.

Name: Bruce Klama
City: Jacksonville
State: FL
Country: USA
Band: Jacksonville Pipes & Drums
Comments:

Will you really be adding TENOR DRUMMING?

If so, Would you go over how to avoid tangles with flourishes?

Great Site

Ken says:  Hi Bruce.  Yeah, we really will.  I just can't say when.  Man, we're so busy around here it's ridiculous (see Pipe Band Diary and keep in mind that we all have REAL jobs or are students).  I'm glad you're enjoying the pages, and we really will add to them eventually.  REALLY!

Name: James Patrick Smith
City: Itta Bena
State: MS
Country: United States
Band: none
Comments:

Sir:
These are the best lessons that I have found. I have books and CDs, but the video is a major enhancement. Could you provide a link, or address, where chanter reeds may be purchased?

Ken says:  Hi James, glad to hear the lessons are helping out.  We don't endorse a particular vendor over any others, but ToneCzar, and Aberdeen Bagpipe Supply both sponsor piping events here at the Arkansas Scottish Festival and both provide excellent products and service.  They are both accessible on the web.  Try Google, or drop me a line at kadler@lyon.edu if you can't find them

Name: Bill McManus
City: Apalachin
State: NY
Country: USA
Band: None
Comments:

Hello.

I am unable to get your videos to work and it does not allow me to download. The video starts but then freezes after the first 10 seconds or so, I can still hear the audio. Have others gotten it to work? Thank you!

Bill McManus

Ken says:  Hi Bill.  Yes, most people seem to be able to run the videos without a problem.  Those that can't stream right click the links to the right and download.  I know of nothing that would prevent you from doing that, except maybe your connection, or a lack of sufficient memory or something.

Name: TOM TSCHANTRE
City: Elizabeth City
State: NC
Country: USA
Band: SELF
Comments:

Outstanding web page and links..
Can your school please consider in the future in putting all of the bagpipe lessons on a DVD for purchase???
Thank you
Tom Tschantre

Ken says:  Thanks Tom.  No plans to sell the lessons at this time, but you never know what the future holds.

Name: Roger W. Pierce
City: Houston
State: Pa.
Country: USA.
Band: Western Pa. Firefighters Memorial Honor Guard
Comments:

Thank you for setting up this site, It's great to learn to play a toon ,and watch an instructor teach you how the toon is to be played. I have almost learned the Skye Boat toon. Would like to see other pipe toons as well . If possible can you have a bass drummer play, (In a video segment). I'm a bass drummer in this band.  2nd year at it , and still need to learn to keep a good beat and timing. Thank you and your staff . Keep up the good job. Aye Roger.

Ken says:  Gweetings Woja. Shall we also fwee Wodewick?  Sorry, I was overcome by a Monty Python moment.  Gotta tell ya, the correct spelling for piping purposes is "CHUNE".  You need to say it with the Scottish accent.  Skye Boat Song really is a song though.  It has words and all.  Hey, seriously, we're glad you're using the videos as a learning aid and hope it's coming along for you.  We'd LOVE to get some bass stuff up.  Maybe next Fall.  We're breaking in a new bass player right now, and we think she'll be crackerjack.  Maybe by Fall she'll be ready to give some tips and tricks.

Name: Alessandro Bizzarri
City: Perugia
State: Italy
Country: Italy
Band:
Comments:

Please inset some lesson bout tenor drumming and how to use the flourishes please!!!!

Ken says:  We fully intend to Alessandro.  We just don't have a tenor instructor on campus right now and our tenor drummer are learning themselves.  No one to film yet.  As soon as we can get someone, we'll shoot some video and make it available.

Name: Hugh MacLellan
City: Traverse City
State: MI
Country:
Band:
Comments:

I have two sons that play the pipes and the drums respectively, they both have used your website lessons. They would both like to see this continue further from what you have introduced so far on line.

Thanks for your efforts.

Ken says:  And we hope to add more.  It's all about time.  We're so confounded busy running around here piping and such that there's little time to add to the lessons already available.  Glad what's there is helping so far.  This stuff really doesn't substitute for a live instructor though.  Try to hook up with a band in your area.

Name: Lynne Richards
City: Ashland City
State: TN
Country: USA
Band: Me and the 2 kids
Comments:

Hey - This is great! My husband and I are full of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh roots and our 2 kids (10 and 7) got a crazy idea that they both want to learn the bagpipes - (I think they saw it on Walker, Texas Ranger or somewhere). I thought it would pass, but its still going strong - we got a chanter and a DVD - but neither they nor I can make a sound on it. Your videos wouldn't stream but we downloaded them all and are watching them over and over trying to absorb - but still none of us can make a sound! I took the chanter apart (rosewood cheap thing) and was able to blow thru the reed like Mr. Bell did in the first video - and it did make a noise and made my lips vibrate - so I think its a good reed. We probably aren't blowing/whistling right - what's the secret? We'd never heard of Lyons, but both kids are reading up on it and want to go there and pipe (no comment on other educational benefits have been brought up). Even with their heritage, the Tennessee accent would give them away if they tried to
fool anyone into thinking they were Irish! Really appreciate your efforts - my grandfather was head of music at the Catholic University in Washington,DC (MANY years ago) - I wonder if he ever thought someday people could watch an instructor in their own home, at night, after work, while eating and drinking (milk and cookies that is) and sitting around in their pajamas!
Any insight on getting that first sound out of the chanter would really get us started!

Ken says:  Believe it or not, you could be blowing TOO hard.  Blow it like you would blow up a balloon.  If it's a really cheap chanter it may just be that it's something to decorate the table with.  Make sure the reed is seated in there right, and nothing is blocking the airflow.  If you need to get a different chanter, buy a good name brand chanter and reed from a reputable pipe supplier.  Just as a for instance, a standard Dunbar polypenco shouldn't cost you much more that fifty smackers, and will give you a lifetime of playing pleasure.  And you live close enough to come over for the Arkansas Scottish Festival in April.  Let us know how you're progressing when you come to see us.

Name: Khalifa
City: RAK
State: Mamourah
Country: UAE
Band: Dubai Pipe Band
Comments:

There are no comments,but I want to Thank All person who work hard to give us the
best.

Thanks all,and good luck.

Khalifa,18,piper and I am learning snare drum with Dubai pipe band.

Ken says:  Cool!  Great to hear from Dubai.  Keep working at it Khalifa, and let us know how the band id doing.

Name: Mike Murphy
City: Moscow
State: PA
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

I can't seem to connect but it's a great idea . Do you sell CD's or VHS tapes?

Ken says:  Sorry Mike, but we don't do sales.  Have you tried downloading the files and playing them locally?  If the streaming doesn't work for you, the other should.

Name: Martin W Bell
City: Glasgow
State:
Country: Scotland
Band: Pipes
Comments:

Excellent, you have helped me a lot. Fantastic resource. Thanks.

Ken says:  Glad to hear it Martin.  Continued success in your efforts to become a piper.  Look us up in August when we come over for the Worlds.  Bring a Sharpie and get Jimmy to autograph something.  Or just find me.  I'll sign his name. 

Name: Daan Standaert
City: Lennik
State: Vlaams-Brabant
Country: Belgium
Band: bagpipe

Comments:
I'm willing to play bagpipe, but I can't really learn it without knowing notes I see here...?

It should be possible with some sort of tabs?

Ken says:  Sorry Daan.  No shortcuts.  You really need to learn the fingering and embellishments if you want to be a proper piper.  It's only nine notes anway.  How hard can it be, right?   :)

Name: Rob Lux
City: Den Helder
State: Noord Holland
Country: Netherlands
Band:
Comments:

Very clear and easy to practice.  Greetings from a green horn pipe player from the Netherlands.

 Rob Lux

Ken says:  Greetings right back at ya Rob.  We're glad to hear the lessons are helping out.  We'd love to come over there and play some time.

Name: Doug Forbes
City: Middletown
State: New Jersey
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

This is great to see- I was a student of Jimmy Bell's father, George Bell, way back in the 80's, and I was always of in awe of Jimmy's playing (and his father's too of course!). He's a tremendous musician- what a great resource to have available on the web!

Ken says:  Jimmy's still wicked good.  Thanks Doug, I'm sure he'll get a kick out of seeing your feedback.

Name: Bey Fontaine
City:
State: Kent
Country: England
Band: None
Comments:

I'm absoltely delighted with the quality of the video instruction. I'm planning to get a chanter soon and get going. Your efforts might just set the ball rolling for me, pipewise. Great!

Ken says: We hope so Bey.  Welcome to piping.  Get a good chanter and find a local instructor if you can.  You will get an enormous amount of fun and personal satisfaction out of piping, and playing in a band ROCKS

Name: David Corbett
City: Marion
State: AR
Country: USA
Band: Wolf River
Comments:

Coming back to these excellent resources to help re-emphasize and try to clean up my crappy fingerwork. Thanks sooo much for taking the time and efforts to put them out here Jimmy.

David

Ken says:  Glad to hear from you David.  Drop by here sometime and we'll whack you on the fingers with a stick when you make a mistake.  Builds character.

Name: Mary Jo Coppack
City: Bozeman
State: MT
Country:
Band: none
Comments:

Great site and videos! Can you tell me what dance is being taught on the dance instruction videos? I am doing a college project on Scottish dancing, and am searching for resources.

Ken says:  Glad you like it Mary Jo.  I'll ask our current dance instructor and post it up here.

OK.  I thought it was the Highland Fling, and Brooke, our dance instructor confirms that.  She also says if you need any further information on the dancing to feel free to contact her.  If you write me at kadler@lyon.edu I'll be glad to pass along her e-mail address.

Name: Katja
City: Berg aan de Maas
State: Limburg
Country: Holland
Band: Corriovallum pipe band Heerlen
Comments:

The video of the Practice Chanter is very good. I can listen to the sounds and so I'm hearing if I'm right with playing. I had now 2 lessons bij the Corriovallu pipeband. My only problem is reading the notes. But that's for later.

Ken says:  Hello Katja, and welcome to Pipe Band World.  It's great.  I'm sure you'll get the note reading part down soon enough.  Stay in touch, and let us know how you're progressing.  Lyon would love to go over to Europe sometime to play.  Maybe we can do a show in Holland one of these days.

Name: Craig Livingston
City: The Woodlands
State: TX
Country: USA
Band: TWH Pipe Band
Comments:

The download versions work great. The on-line instruction very helpful. I've got pipers, but I would like to see the drum instruction expanded. Our high school has talented drummers. If we could get more instruction between the "closed roll" and actual playing of 4/4 march, our American style drummers could become Scottish ones.

Ken says:  Howdy Craig.  Thanks for the suggestion.  We'll try to pump Gordon for some more drumming stuff.   Hope to see your band in the Southwest Branch of the EUSPBA eventually, and up here at the college competing at the Arkansas Scottish Festival.  If you have any real sharp student pipers and drummers, make sure to have them keep Lyon in mind when they're ready for college.

Name: Jean Carvin
City: Orange
State: France
Country:
Band:
Comments:

Hello there.
I just download your lessons and can't tell you how much useful they looks to me;
Having only a very remote access to a piobaireachd teacher ,I have bought a book .
Your video lessons dramatically enlight it for me.
I have had previously some problems using the windows media manager reading them ,now it works great.
The only improvement I could imagine would be adding subtitles .
I cope far better with written than spoken English as I suppose a lot of foreigners pipers do.
Thank you very much for putting down such a good work on the net.
all the best .

Ken says:  Bon jour, Jean.  Glad to hear the Piobaireachd lessons are helping you out.  I tried to get Jimmy to use subtitles, but he says they make him look "heavy".

Name: Ton Bavelaar
City: Leiden
State: South-Holland
Country: Netherlands
Band:
Comments:

I am enjoying the lessons for playing the practice chanter for i am a beginner.
These video lessons works perfect for me as it is very well explained step by step.
I am just wondering if it matters if you are right handed or left handed because of the hand positions.

Ken says:  Hi Ton.  Welcome to piping, and good luck in your pursuit of the elusive tone.  It shouldn't really matter which is your dominant hand.  I know several left-handed players who play "right-handed" as Jimmy demonstrates in the video.  I also know a couple who play right hand as the top hand (or left-handed if you will), but if you do that you will probably want to tie your stocks into the bag to sit on your right shoulder when you get on the pipe.  That will mean cutting your own holes in the bag or finding someone who sells a left-handed bag.  Although, I did play in a band with a guy some years ago who played right hand on top and a standard left shoulder set up and it didn't seem to bother him.  I would think it would eventually become a problem with the low-hand also being on the arm doing the squeezing.  Especially playing jigs or other tunes requiring a lot of GDE gracenote combinations.

Name: Mike Murphy
City: Moscow
State: PA
Country: USA
Band: N/A
Comments:

Dear Mr. Bell, I think your website is a excellent idea however I can't get anything to download (MSN XP) . I started taking group lessons at the age of 49 I'm now 51 and still can't play to save my life and I was wondering if you might have or know of any schools in northeast PA. - there's a teacher I can go to 1hr 30mins each way (travel time) who is excellent but also rightly charges 40.00 a lesson and with the price of gas (1/2 tank) my lessons are costing me at least 55.00. Some tell me I'm wasting my money going to someone of his high talent/grade (he is for a grade 2 player who wants to get better not for a beginner having problems) besides I don't know how long I can afford lessons at this price given my low level of talent I will be going for a long time. Perhaps I should just forget about playing and let the pro's do it and get on with my life ? Anyway I would appreciate any insight you might have. Thank You for you time & concern.

Ken says:  Hey Mike.  I'll pass your note on to Jimmy, but we need a return e-mail address for you.  Meantime, check www.euspba.org  and look under the Resources.  Find the Band and Membership lists and see if there's someone in your area.  Bet there is.  And most bands I know don't charge ro have you in a group lesson, and would then matriculate you into the band.  As for why you can't can't download, I don't know what could be stopping you.  Some people haven't been able to run the streaming video, but that's why I put the downloadable files right next to them.  Does your ISP have some sort of firewall up or something that would prevent you?

Name: Jack Rawlins
City: Ponca City
State: Oklahoma
Country: USA
Band: Westminster
Comments:

Jimmy

Great site and really appreciate the clips. I can get sound only and that only when downloaded. I have a Mac and run Windows Media Player - but not much luck getting to see anything.

Thanks - really like the PB.

Name: Ian Stimpson
City: Torre Pellice
State: TO
Country: Italy
Band: if only...
Comments:

Excellent. I've been playing the pipes for a year now but learning only from CDs which I have now found to be impossible obviously. There are no piping instructors anywhere near me in Italy in fact I have only just recently found an instructor from France who comes to Italy once every couple of months. Your video lessons have proved to be a great help in cutting the times down. I watch your videos, practice for weeks and then when the instructor comes he corrects my faults. I hope you will increase your range of lessons as you website seems to be the only one of its kind. You also have kindly faces, which helps!! In addition I have been following the drumming lessons, not seriously at the moment, but you never know. It's something I would never have envisaged doing without your videos. Keep up the good work.

Ken says:  Yeah, baby.  Handsome Jimmy Bell looks GOOD on TV.  He doesn't really smell quite as good as me though.  He's OK, but I'm like a flower or something.  We were talking the other day about doing some little clips featuring different members of the band showing stuff like how we get prepared for a solo competition, and step up to the judge to play, and like that.  All we need is more free time.  It's coming though, so keep up the good work, and we'll try to have some new stuff in the near future.  Glad to hear our site is helping you along. 

Name: JOHN DIVERRES
City: ASNIERES SUR SEINE
State:
Country: France
Band: Normandy highland pipe band
Comments:

Excellent site, I found the videos I was looking for since a long time ago, especially the drumming.
This is very helpful for our beginners to understand the correct attitude to play the snare drum in a pipe band.
Congratulations.
Pipe sergeant John DIVERRES

Ken says:  Bon jour!  Glad to know we can be of service.  I'll be back in France next year, the week before the Worlds.  I love France.

Name: RoyE
City: Trenton Ont.
State: Canada
Country:
Band: Brighton Legion Pipe Band..Ontario
Comments:

I can get lesson # 1, video and Audio, after the first lesson, screen goes black, cant seem to get lesson # 2, audio and video to come next. Do I have to wait a certain length of time for lesson # 2 to appear or am I doing something wrong.

Ken says:  The next lesson won't start automatically.  You need to return to the Index page and click the next link.  If you're doing that and not getting it to run, try downloading the file and running it locally.

Name: Jason
City: Orlando
State: FL
Country: usa
Band: Orlando Fire Dept Pipe band
Comments:

This is great! We are starting this band and all resources are needed. Thanks again and please keep up the good work.

Name: Sarah
City: Orlando
State: FL
Country: USA
Band: N/A
Comments:

Can't seem to watch the videos...It says windows media player v9...I have v10...shouldn't it work?

Ken says:  Yep, it should.  I'm using 10 and it's working like a charm.  If you can't get the streaming video to run though, download the files I made available in the column to the right.

Name: Bruce Klama
City: Jacksonville
State: FL
Country: USA
Band: Jacksonville Pipes & Drums
Comments:

This is excellent!!
Three questions:
1. Do you have plans to add tenor drumming?
2. By when?
3. Who will instruct?
Thanks again for all your hard work,
Bruce

Ken says:  Hi Bruce.  Thanks.  Yeah, we do intend to add some tenor drumming.  I don't know exactly when, or who will be instructing.   I'd say look for something in the Fall though.

Name: Flavio Ferreira Oliveira
City: Valencia
State: Valencia
Country: Spain
Band: -
Comments:

It's perfect to the novel student to learn. I like very much the Bagpipe and this is the best oportunity to practice.
Thank you so much!
Flavio

Name: Laird Erwin Jack Heltai of John O`Groats
City: Selb
State: Bavaria
Country: Germany
Band: x
Comments:

Hallo
the lessons dancing video wiil be not run:-(
I got a macintosh, with mediaplayer, vlc,realplayer,quictime,mplay.....hmmmm
what can i do?
thnx...excouse me for my miserable english:-)

Ken says:  You're English beats the tar out of my German.  I've placed the dance .wmv files in place so you can now download those, just as you do the piping and drumming.  You should now be able to snag them and run them locally.

Name: Edward Smith
City: Burton
State: Michigan
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

Jimmy -

I enjoyed seeing what you've done with your on-line videos. Great job! Although the steaming video did not work very well (I'm connected on my laptop to a cable modem via a wireless router), the "download target as" worked fine - took about 15 minutes. Just as a suggestion - having seen only one clip - you might sit on a stool rather than behind a desk, and let the camera close in a little more. Look forward to hearing more things out of Lyon College.

Ed Smith (blast from the past)

Jimmy says: Ed, I am sitting on a stool. Cheeky bugger.

Name: Laird Erwin Jack Heltai of <john <o´groats
City: Selb
State: Bavaria
Country: Germany
Band:

Comments:

Hi,
the Pipe lessons are great!! many thank You:-)

Name: Roger Risley
City: South Range
State: WI
Country: USA
Band: Duluth Scottish Heritage Assn Pipes and Drums


Comments:

Excellent drumming videos and audio. I had to download and save as target like you suggested, however the closed roll training would stop downloading shortly after it began. The other exercises downloaded fine. What's up ??
Thanks for everything.
Aye

Roger

Ken says:  Don't know.  The download seems to be working fine from here.

Name: Dave Parry
City: Plymouth
State: England
Country:
Band: City of Plymouth Pipe Band
Comments:

I've been playing the pipes for many years - started when I was 10 but had a 14 year gap when I was in the Navy and I am now 40. However, I have only really been serious with the execution and expression for 18 months. I have improved, I know because the pipes are becoming more natural and I am tuning the drones so they are acceptable to the listeners' ears as well as my own.

Nevertheless, I have embarked on the task of learning the ancient art of piobreachd. Your video site is certainly reemphasising the Lessons in the College of Piping piobreachd book.

I will recommend this site to other band members.


Thank you

Ken says:  Hi Dave.  Glad to hear it.  Keep up the effort toward learning Piobaireachd.  I'll pass it on to Jimmy that the lessons are helping you along.

Name: Henry Sanders
City: Oklahoma City
State: Oklahoma
Country: United States
Band: Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums
Comments:

Stew Joslin sent me the website of Lesson Online and he asked me to look up about drumming lessons. I click on that website, then on the drumming lesson by Gordon Bell. He really show a lot of explanation for each lessons which gave me a lot of benefit of knowing where I'm going and has improved my drumming ability. Thanks to Gordon Bell and hopefully there will be more lessons from him.

Name: Alex Gehrig
City:
State: Argovia
Country: Switzerland
Band: The Pipes and Drums of Zurich (www.pdz.ch)
Comments:

Positive: I can't actually contribute more than the things said before me, I can only repeat it: In addition to the live practice/playing in the band, It's just great to (virtually) sit in front of a competent teacher giving you private lessons. Especially in Piobaireachd, which I'm particularly new in. I think it really helps us who cannot enjoy private tuition to correct certain mistakes and improve our playing. Before getting to your site, I thought I would never really be able to play Piobaireachd. But now I think I can finally approach it. Thanks for that great service!

Negative: The streaming thing seems not to work with my machine either (It's a Mac with MPlayer 9) but after downloading it's ok. Why not try to do it with QuickTime (Windows version available too)? Then: your hands shouldn't be covered by book when playing tunes, and why not play one or two on the GHP?

Cheers
Alex

Name: Mark Harris
City: Fayetteville
State: AR
Country: USA
Band: Ozark Highlanders


Comments:

I'm a relatively new Scottish snare player (I played marching snare in High School years ago) and have just begun teaching new drummers for the Ozark Highlanders. These will certainly be a great learning tool (for me) and teaching tool (for the pupils). Thanks a million, and see you in April!

Name: John Hood
City: Ardrossan
State: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Band: Isle of Cumbrae

Comments:

The download facility is excellent. I can now view the Drumming Lessons at 'full speed' every time. Very useful as a teaching aid for our younger learners. Looking forward to the Tenor Drum Video clips.

Name: Steve Shepherd
City: Harrison
State: AR
Country: USA
Band: None


Comments:

Great idea and very helpful for many of us beginners in Arkansas that do not live near the campus or otherwise have Piping resources nearby. Thank you for doing this!

Ken says:  I'll pass that on to Jimmy.  Thanks Steve.  Hope we see you at the Arkansas Scottish Festival in April.  Make sure to be here on the 22nd for the USPF qualifier.  Some of the best Open and Grade I Amateurs will be vying for a spot at the USPF Championships in June.  One of the best ways to be a good player is to listen to good players.

You know the Ozark Highlanders over in Fayetteville?  They are a little closer to you than we are, and might be a good reference if you need to see a live instructor now and again.  Let me know if you need a contact.  And you're sure welcome to come by here anytime you're in the neighborhood.

Name: Edward Smith
City: Burton
State: Michigan
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

Jimmy -

I enjoyed seeing what you've done with your on-line videos. Great job! Although the steaming video did not work very well (I'm connected on my laptop to a cable modem via a wireless router), the "download target as" worked fine - took about 15 minutes. Just as a suggestion - having seen only one clip - you might sit on a stool rather than behind a desk, and let the camera close in a little more. Look forward to hearing more things out of Lyon College.

Ed Smith (blast from the past)

Name: Johnnie Johnston
City: Hamilton
State: Ontario
Country: Canada
Band: nil
Comments:

Hi
Just like to say thanks so much for having these lessons available.. Just great you doing this.. The files you have there as far as Piping goes all work and are downloadable etc on my end.. They all work fine..audio, video etc everything works just great..

This will come in really handy for learning and teaching. Really like the fact of using the practise chanter. Would have like to see more closeups of hand movements, but hey, what the heck eh!! Cant have everything...

Is a real treat having this available and kudos to all who participated to make the lessons happen online..

Thanks very very much

Johnnie Johnston

Ken says:  Glad you're making use of the lesson JJ.  We hope to add some new stuff later this spring, and with some new video editing equipment being brought in to IT here at Lyon maybe we can experiment a bit and cut to some close-ups in the new clips.  The current videos don't really show how handsome Jimmy is, or what elegant hands he has.  Hehe.

Name: Aaron Haley
City: Seattle
State: WA
Country: USA
Band: ghettopipes
Comments:

Dear Sirs,

Thank you for the online lessons. This is an AWESOME idea and you guys are MOST Appreciated. I've been on the pipes for a few months and have only seen an instructor twice so far. I have 56k connection and after downloading your Pibroch lessons, I was able to see the video just fine. Jimmy's approach is clear, efficient and simple. Instant replay several dozen times while I practice the heck out of the movements is key. Hearing and SEEing what the movements should be like has helped the most in correcting what ever I thought I was doing before.

My only complaint is in "Lament for The Old Sword", Jimmy's hands are obscured by some godzilla size book and the table for most of the tune. I enjoy listening to it over and over anyhow and is my favorite of the Pibrochs he played. I know XMAS is over but It would be awesome to see Jimmy play that tune on the big pipes. Perhaps zooming in a bit closer to the hands on all your lessons as a rule is the best feedback I can offer. I look forward to seeing the crunluath a mach added to your lessons.

Keep up the Good work!

Happy New Year

The "godzilla size book" would be The Bible, son.  That's a bound copy of all the Piobaireachd Society books with the notes written by Jim's dad, George Bell, as given him by Donald MacLeod.  Show a little respect, will ya?  :)  Getting to be in the room with Jim blowing a Piobaireachd is an extreme pleasure.  I'm particularly fond of his "I Got A Kiss of the King's Hand" myself.

Name: PinoyPiper
City:
State:
Country: Philippines
Band:
Comments:

Thank you very much for finally making available the lessons for download.

Name: Chris Eyre
City: Birkenhead
State: Merseyside
Country: England
Band: Wirral Pipe Band
Comments:

A very interesting project and a godsend,I would think, for anyone who is unable to get regular tuition elsewhere. I certainly intend to pop back regularly to see how it develops. I'm particularly interested to see what how your promised section on tenor drumming as I think this is a discipline which is often under-rated and could be of great value to other bands.

I am on a 1Mg broadband connection with Win XP and Windows Media player 9 but the streaming video still didn't work properly. The audio came through but the picture did not. But the download versions worked fine.

Ken says: Thanks for the comments Chris.  I don't know what the schedule is for getting the tenor drumming tutorials out there, but we'll do them as soon as possible.  More sidedrum tutorials are on the board too.  We agree that the mid-section is rapidly growing in importance to ensemble, and is not yet fully understood by a lot of bands that don't keep up with the upper grades and where they're going musically.  Glad to hear the downloads work for you.  I still don't know what it is with the streaming video.  Nothing wrong with the server, and most people don't seem to have any trouble.  Those that are having problems don't seem to have any common symptoms that would help track down the problem.

Name: Mike
City: Stockholm,
State:
Country: SWEDEN
Band: www.thistlepipeband.com
Comments:

Your latest version of downloading lessons is a great improvement. Keep up your good work!

Ken says:  Thanks.  I think we finally have a way for the folks who couldn't get the streaming video to run to be able to take advantage of the lessons.  Let us know how they're working out for you.

Name: Alexander Mc Intosh
City: Santiago
State: Santiago
Country: Chile
Band: Andes Highlanders
Comments:

Hello

simply expectacular their it paginates, but is the connection from Chile very bad, is it possible to download videos to my computer?

Alexander Mc Intosh

Ken says:  Hi Alexander.  We still haven't had time to convert all the files into something downloadable, but as soon as we can make the time, we'll make the files and put them out there.

Name: Graham
City: Cambridge
State: ON
Country: Canada
Band:
Comments:

I'm also having trouble with your streaming media, seldom receiving more than 20% of the file before an interruption and re-buffering.

I think WMV that is available as a download would be a great option (and people can still stream if that's their choice).

I'm on a cable modem, upgraded to the *potential* 5 Mbps with no problems on most commercial sites, so I'm guessing it's something between your hard disk and mine in the form of latency - pings show an unreachable hop after swbell.net getting to you.

Love the presentation, but can't really sit through a single one for frustration...

Name: Jason Miller
City: Oklahoma City
State: Oklahoma
Country: USA
Band: The Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums
Comments:

There was no sound for any of the videos that I looked at, maybe just some technical difficulties? Thought I would let ya know!

Jason

Name: Danny L. Vaughn
City: Hoxie
State: AR
Country: USA
Band: Lyon College
Comments:

Dear Ken, I was looking at the video's and I have great sound but no video, I just get to stare and Jimmy's Great Glowing presence.  Anyway to fix this? I really wanted to look at the Piobaireachd tapes. See ya soon Danny (dang glad to meet ch'a) Vaughn.

Name: Phillip
City: Salt Lake city
State: Utah
Country: USA
Band: None
Comments:

I was pretty excited when I came upon lessons on streaming video. But every time I attempt to view any of the video lessons, the video does not play continually but comes across very staggered, were for the most part the image stays still. You state the the streaming video requires windows media player v9.0 which I have, so I'm not quite sure what I can do on my end to view it any better than I am now able to, which is not very good. This problem makes learning the fingering pretty much impossible. The audio part of the video comes across just fine. If there is anything you think I can do to solve this problem, please let me know.

Philip van Diggelen

Ken says:  Hmm.  Not sure what to tell you Philip.  I just checked it here locally and am seeing no problem.  What sort of internet service are you on?  We have been discussing some alternative way of presenting this stuff (like making the files downloadable instead of streaming for instance), but haven't decided what direction to take exactly.  I'll have another chat with Tech Services here at Lyon and see what they suggest.

Name: Melanie McKay-Cody
City: Topeka
State: Kansas
Country: USA
Band: McKay / Mac Kay Clan
Comments:

The website is great!! I love watching video of the dance lessons. I have been proud of my Scottish heritage but never had the chance to learn dance steps when I grew up in a small town. I still want our daughters to learn these dances. There is nothing available in Topeka. And many people do not know where to find instructor who teach Scottish highland dances. Is there a connection or lead you may help me out with this.

Ken says: Thanks Ms. Melanie.  I would suggest you first check out   http://www.highlandxpress.com/   It looks like they are in the process of moving the business from Kansas City to Las Vegas, but I'll bet they can put you in touch with people involved in dancing in KC.  In fact, the lovely Margaret Rendina came to us from Kansas City.

Name: Isaac Rogers
City: Prince George
State: British Columbia
Country: Canada
Band: Prince George Pipe Band
Comments:

Hello guys,

I think the vids are a good idea. For the drumming you could have the 4/4 score to read over while you watch the video.

Ken says:  That's coming Isaac.  We've got all sorts of additions that you'll see here eventually.

Name: Erik
City: Frederikshavn
State:
Country: Denmark
Band: FDF Frederikshavn
Comments:

Nice Site. Audio OK but can't get the video to run. Would have been nice to have a download possibility.

Possibly a "lapse of pen" in text lesson 8, heavy throw on D (c instead of e ?)

Ken says:  In some ways, I am god-like.  With my mystical mojo powers, I have magically transformed the typo into THE RIGHT STUFF.  But, as I've mentioned before, we haven't decided on how to make the files available in a non-streaming format.  The whole idea from the outset was to do it like this. 

Name: John McFadden
City:
State:
Country: UK
Band:
Comments:

Well done on a very good website, sadly because you have made the media streaming it cannot not be downloaded which seeing it on 56k dial up makes it impossible to view any of the videos.

So in effect you have negated what your trying to achieve.

I really hope you can change it over so they can be downloadable, also image pages are very poorly put together.

Great idea just needs tweaking to make it the nets best piping resource.

Best Wishes

John

Ken says:  Cheers John.  Several people have commented on the need to make the videos able to be downloaded.  I've been talking with our Media Services guys here at the college, and we just haven't come up with a good way to do it yet.  It's all about money bottom line.  When you do stuff for free you pretty much have to use the resources that are available.  In this day and age, web resources are a commodity.  We'll see if we can't come up with a good solution though.  We want to see as many people benefit from this as possible.

Name: Iain Thomson
City: Chamonix
State:
Country: France
Band: Geneva Pipes and Drums
Comments:

Hi there! Being a 3 months down the line beginner, the more advice you get the better, especially at 52, starting late but just determined to keep at it. Basically I am using the new Glasgow Piping Centre Tutor with CD Rom but 99.9% of my learning is on my own so seeing someone playing for real and seeing their fingers move is just the ticket! Practice, practice, practice! At least the 1 hour a week lesson at Geneva is also a contact with real people so all input combined I might get somewhere! Thank you for the work you have put into your site, Iain Thomson

Ken says:  Thanks Iain, and best of luck to you in your pursuit of playing this great instrument.  We are planning some improvements to the sight over the summer.  Keep visiting.

Name: Paul Wright
City: Hull
State: East Yorkshire
Country: England
Band: Beverley & District Pipe Band (www.bevpipeband.com)
Comments:

I can’t fault it, I think you have done a fantastic job. The only improvement (and it needs it) is to make this material available to download. I have just watched most of the Piobaireachd lessons, and found the video wasn’t in sync with the sound and it was glitchy. I’m currently on a corporate network (most of the other staff have gone home now) with a 2Mbps internet link. At home (where I would want to access it and spend a bit more time taking it in) I only have dial-up internet access. Needless to say I don’t think I’ll even bother trying it from there! However, I’m not going to finish on a negative point, because I think you guys deserve a pat on the back – well done!

Ken says:  We appreciate the feedback Paul, and are glad you found the Piobaireachd interesting.  Sorry it's giving you some technical trouble.  We have some new drumming material coming soon.  I don't know what we can do about making the material downloadable.  It's in a streaming video format, and coming from a dedicated server.  That should make for a pretty smooth presentation at your end.  I'll talk to the guys in Media Services about it.  Cheers.

Name: Tony
City: Jacksonville
State: FL
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

I really enjoy having a site available to beginner pipers as in-depth as yours. I have only one suggestion: a little more excitement from the instructor could go a very long way. I began to find it difficult to focus on what he was saying because he did not appear to be excited about what he was teaching (just a little "ho-hum" demeanor). Otherwise, a very well organized site.

Ken says:  Thanks Tony.  In real life Jim is a very dynamic and extremely humorous individual.  We had to tone him down for lessons though, otherwise people just sit transfixed and bask in the glow of his majestic presence.  No kidding, he really is a pretty exciting guy in person.  You just have to come to Lyon for that part of it.

Name: Bruce
City: Jacksonville
State: Fl
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

Outstanding site.

Can you add Tenor Drum Flourishes?

Ken says:  Thanks Bruce.  We're in the process of re-filming the side drumming lessons, and plan to add tenor drumming lessons in the near future.

Name: Rick
City: Innisfail
State: Alberta, Canada
Country:
Band: St. James Gate Pipe Band
Comments:

I was wondering if it would be possible

to have some Tenor Drum lessons posted.

Thank you. Great Web Site.

Ken says:  We will be adding some tenor drum lesson, and the side drum lessons are in the process of being replaced.  Watch for updates.

Name: Sandra Gibbon
City: Innisfail
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Band: Innisfail Legion Pipeband
Comments:

Finally a site where I can find instruction for the children in our band. I will be passing on your site address to the kids so they have some direction between practice night. We are in great need of Tenor instruction as we do not have anyone to teach the tenor drum moves to our children, hope you can come up tutorials for tenor as well. Thank you - Sandra.

Name: Phil Scott
City: Bendigo
State: Victoria
Country: Australia
Band: Golden City Pipe Band (www.goldencitypipeband.org.au)
Comments:

Thanks for putting such a great resource on the 'net. Really excellent work.

Comments: The audio plays fine on my current Mac OS/X version of MediaPlayer, but no video. I can walk down the hall to another office where there's a Windows box, and it works fine.

Otherwise -- some "zooming" down onto fingers might make some movements easier to explain.

Name: Nancy Salisbury
City: Camargo
State: Oklahoma
Country: USA
Band:
Comments:

I have downloaded the media player so I can get the video lessons..but all I get is the audo. What am I doing wrong? If and when I can get it to work..it will be wonderful as I live out in rural Oklahoma..far from an instructor..I do or plan to make practices when I am able, in OKC with Stew Joslin of the Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums..but these instructions with Jimmy Bell will be great! Just hope someone can tell me how to get the video going.

Ken says:  Nancy, make sure you're using Media Player 9.0.  Any version below that plays audio only.

Name: NORM ZETER
City: ALBUQUERQUE
State: NM USA
Country:
Band: BALLUT ABYAD PIPE BAND (SHRINE)
Comments:

Hi.... I collect Pipe and drum cap badges and cloth patches from all over the world.. . I would like to obtain a patch of your unit if one is available. ( I accept freebies and will make band donations) I display my collection and give talks at many Highland games in the Southwest and at the Robert Burns dinners. Also I am in the process of setting up a pipe band patch and badge web site and would like to include your unit patch.

Thanks

Ken says:  Sorry Norm, we don't have a patch at this time.

Name: Gary Krueger
City: Marine City
State: MI
Country: USA
Band: Windsor Police Pipe Band

Comments:

Just had a chance while at my Daughter's house to update their computer to version 9. and had my first look.... way way cool. Now... how about "Lament for Mary MacLeod?" hehehe

Name: Patricia Schleusener
City:
State: PA
Country: USA
Band: not yet
Comments:

I found the lessons very interesting and helpful. I was particularly interested in the piobaireachd lessons, but when I got to the end and you played the tunes, there was no way to follow because you did not include the music except for Macintosh's Banner. Is there somewhere to get the music to accompany the videos?

Ken says:  It's coming.

Name: JOHN MACDONALD
City: ANDOVER
State: HANTS
Country: UK
Band: http://www.hampshire-caledonian.co.uk/
Comments:

JIMMY

This appears to be another step in the right direction and slightly closer to the 21st century.

I have taught a good number of persons over the years and have always tried to "mix and match" exercises and tunes to match the learners ability, perception etc. No 2 are ever the same!!

However, I have found that the Piping Centre Tutor has probably got the entry level just about right and I would personally say that my approach for our band is going to be TAILORED TO THE TUTOR INSTEAD of the learners having to learn reams and reams of existing band tunes.

I have turned things around WITHIN OUR BAND slightly inasmuch that I have left the established band with the sets that we currently play. I also TRYING TO FEED LEARNERS INTO THE BAND AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE without compromising standards and whilst ensuring that they know all the TUTOR material thoroughly. In order to do this I am now introducing the tutor tunes to the band repertoire.

With this in mind I have the beginners who are learning from the tutor with the assistance of a personal tutor and also the CD ROM- Much the same as your video idea here; but this approach will then allow the learners the utility of the tutor material and resources whilst giving a good spread of basic tunes and with a ready usable tune list ready to integrate into the band, before embarking on the other band sets. In this way there is a COMMON LIST of tunes which are usable before refining those learners and expanding their tune-base.

I would perhaps suggest integrating the tutor material in the clips laid out by yourself and in this way they have 3 resources i.e. -YOU PERSONALLY, THE TUTOR WITH CD ROM AND FINALLY YOU IN THE VIDEO CLIPS DOING EXACTLY AS THE TUTOR LAYS OUT, BUT PERHAPS WITH ANY OTHER PERSONAL TOUCHES YOU FEEL ARE USEFUL

I wish your endeavor every success and hope my suggestions may be of some assistance

Name: Matt Trecartin
City: Halifax
State: Nova Scotia
Country: Canada
Band: 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel
Comments:

Nice site, I like what you're doing. You should get a couple vids of the the band playing, and some people on instruments too. Just to show where one can go with this art-form. Keep up the good work.

Name: Mike Painter
City: Crystal Lake
State: IL
Country: USA
Band: None
Comments:

I really like what you're doing. I think that having Jimmy play a few of the tunes on the GHP for added inspiration would be a nice added touch. I know that beginning pipers sometimes get frustrated when learning some of the more difficult embellishments. Getting to hear the tunes played on the pipes would serve as a benchmark or goal to shoot for. Great job guys.

Name: Steve Hendricks
City: Scott Depot
State: WV
Country: USA
Band: Kanawha Valley Pipes & Drums
Comments:

I down loaded Windows Media Player 9. I was still unable to to get the video. I received the audio just fine.

Name: Van
City: Land O Lakes
State: FL
Country: USA
Band: none
Comments:

Great idea for the video lessons. Maybe show close-up of embellishments on chanter from players point of view and slowly at first. Maybe something played on the pipes to watch. Possibly something for the advanced player.

Name: Roger Ernest
City: Haddon Heights
State: NJ USA
Country:
Band: none
Comments:

Just finished with my first tour of the online tutorial.. I can not say enough good things about this experience. The lessons are great for supplementing weekly lessons

It is always helpful/refreshing to see how different instructors may explain the same subject. Thanks for the great opportunity. I plan to make frequent use of it.

Name: Roy Espiritu
City: Manila
State:
Country: Philippines
Band: none
Comments:

I can't seem to play the video on my PC, I have the latest version of Windows media player (ver. 9) Audio is clear but the video I receive is at 0.01 fps (the video moves every 5 seconds)

I think it would be better if the video was downloadable, as mpeg, or avi. So that dial-up users can also watch it. a low res-version might also be nice.

Name: Rick
City: Innisfail
State: Alberta
Country:
Band: St. James Gate Pipe Band
Comments:

I think this is wonderful. I have been piping nearly all my life. I am enjoying  the Piobaireachd section, can't wait till it's finished. It shows the people what's involved in piping and drumming before they start with a teacher. Great idea keep up the good work.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment and to let us know how we can improve the lessons. 
We will consider all suggestions and do what we can to honor them where appropriate.

LESSONS