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THE ROAD TO BETTER PIPING & THE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
Come to any of my PIPING SCHOOL workshops and I GUARANTEE that you will leave with at least three things;
1. More knowledge than you came in with
2. Motivation to go on and be a better piper
3. The contacts and knowledge necessary to stay on that long ‘Road to Better Piping’

If all of those isn’t true then you are entitled to ask for a refund of your tuition fees - and will get it.

You’ll also meet a bunch of pipers who are at the same stage as yourself and are sure to make life-long new friends.












HOW WE PLAN A WORKSHOP?
Firstly I gather all the information I can about the standard of the prospective students. In the early stages of planning that involves using my own knowledge (gained from 30 years of
professional teaching), looking at the standards
of the local area and speaking to local pipe
majors and teachers. Later I would also look
at any information which comes
in from those prospective students
including student questionnaires.

Workshops always have pipers of
different standards - the trick is to make
sure that the advanced players feel
challenged while the inexperienced players can find their own level of comfort. That isn’t simple - but having done workshops since 1981 I have found a formula which works well.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WORKSHOP?
A good workshop should be exactly what it says - a ‘work’ shop. That means that there has to be a lot of student playing, on practice chanters, practice chanters and pipes, and pipes - depending on the level of the workshop, as well as quality oral instruction.

A typical workshop will have two sessions in the morning and two sessions in the afternoon (each of between 90 minutes and 2 hours). The sessions will be playing (on instruments), musical (by way of lecture and/or demonstration) or instrumental (by demonstration, explanation and hands-on practical).

The topics and playing sessions vary, but they should be at a level ‘just a bit higher’ than a piper’s current ability level - there is no comfort zone here, it is all ‘learn and play’.

If the workshop has different classes then it is common to combine everybody, if appropriate, for group sessions. I also try to ensure that there is maximum 1-to-1 tuition made available.

At the end it is usual for the teacher to give a short recital.

CAN I DO EXAMS?
The easy answer is ‘yes’. All lessons, courses and workshops organised by THE PIPING SCHOOL are run to a syllabus which is compatible with all major national and international piping bodies. We also offer our own exam syllabus (see EXAMS for more information) and can test at a workshop. That usually means doing the playing part on Day 1 and the written exam early on Day 2 - which ensures that any material within the exam syllabus is taught as part of the workshop. However, exams do take time and so any interest must be notified well in advance.

WHAT ABOUT PRE-COURSE INSTRUCTION?
A pre-course CD ROM (in PC only but also on pdf) will be sent out 8 weeks before a workshop to any student who asks for one. It will give a list of tunes which should be played to ensure that you are at the course standard, as well as a number of sound files to help you to study. Other course material will also be included to ensure your overall standard will help you to get the maximum out of the workshop.

WHAT ABOUT AFTER-WORKSHOP FOLLOW-UP?
A number of options are open;
Firstly, every student will get a ‘workshop’ CD on the day, containing all of the material covered in the weekend.

Secondly, a list of self-teach CD ROMS will be given along with a list of any recommended music books and text books.

Thirdly, you might want to consider enrolling in any of our Distance Learning Programs. (click for more information)

Lastly, we will refer you to a qualified teacher near you for further instruction or perhaps even our own regular classes as they become available.

Don’t worry we are always here for
you - E-mail, Facebook, Skype or telephone
and in person at our 30+ events which are held
throughout the year in different parts of Scotland
and England as well as overseas.

BY TYPE ...............................
Fundamental Level
BASIC 1 (practice chanter)
BASIC 2 (intro to pipes)
More Advanced
BETTER PIPING 1
BETTER PIPING 2
BETTER PIPING 3
The Pipers’ Retreat
MSR & PIOBAIREACHD
Piobaireachd
PIOBAIREACHD 1
PIOBAIREACHD 2

The theory of tuning - first, in theory, second in reality

Musicianship - one of the three integral elements of our workshops. The others are instrument and technique.

New friends for life - the group at Molina del Pellone, Italy - June 2009