Timing issues..

[PipingTom]

I've been training with a pipe band to be a piper for 4 or so months now. I'm progressing very quickly (practicing at least 1.5 hours a day almost 7 days a week on the chanter). My fingering is good, my techniques are solid, I'm really getting good results from my very, very hard work. I'm a bit concerned though..

Since I started playing the chanter, I've struggled with timing. Time signatures and timing I just have such a hard time with.. I mean I am getting it.. but really slowly. My teacher doesn't do much with musical theory, so I've been trying to learn it myself. My sight reading is absolutely fine but I find when I get a new tune and try it on the chanter it comes out all wonky and doesn't sound like anything.

Is this common? To struggle with timing of tunes at first?

Also, I'm using Bagpipe Player (A computer program BagPipePlayer.exe, try it if you havn't already, it's very handy) in conjunction with .bww files for both learning new tunes and practicing. Bagpipe Player has the ability to read the .bww file and play it back (proper timing of course). I've been using this feature to get my timing right.. but I feel as if I'm cheating.

I'd like to be able to handle it myself but maybe this will come with time? I may be fooling myself... because of my ability to play solidly, but struggle to learn tunes.

Is it ok to "cheat" this way? I think it may help me develop a better sense of the timing of tunes and I think once I become a full member of the pipe band I will be taught more about timing and time signatures.

I'm starting with the full "pipe band" practice in January, while continuing a dedicated "practice chanter for beginners" class. My instructor is pleased with my progress but I'm just not happy with having to "cheat" to learn timing.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this matter.

Cheers,
Tom

[DoogieG]

I think the bagpipe player is only good for giving you a very rough idea of how a tune is played....the player can be wonky itself on occasions..just get it to try and play pibroch!!

I find it extremely odd that your teacher is not teaching you music theory as well. Mine gave me a test once a week on it!.

If you dont learn the theory you may end up with all sorts of problems...movements in front of or behind the beat etc etc. I would ask your teacher or anyone in the band to help you on this.

As a beginner on tunes such as Scotland the Brave et al..I used to find it very helpful to listen to the tunes on a CD..preferably a world class piper playing! On particularly difficult tunes I still try and find the piece on a CD somewhere.

Keep reading the books as well!!

[PipingTom]

I'm starting to do that as well (listening to CD's), and scouring the web to find recordings of tunes played on the chanter, etc. I found a canadian site that helped me tackle Brown Haired Maiden.

[DoogieG]

Theres another thread on here about the CoP tutor books..all the basic tunes and a cd as well!! Bonus!

[PipingTom]

I've got the green book, if that's what you're suggesting Doogie :)

[DoogieG]

aye..thats the one!! :thumb:

[skotti]

Best bet is an ol fashioned Metronome. The old school type with the swinging needle...I found to be the best. I had trouble reading the small digital one. Then its just practice practice practice which you are already doing.