Thursday nights are for piping.
Group chanter and bagpipe classes for young people in Oban, whether they've never played a note or they're already on the pipes.
New? Come along to a free taster Thursday first. No cost, no commitment.
Pioneers at the Showcase
Six groups, from chanter to pipes.
I'll put your child in the group that suits where they are now. Everyone starts on the chanter and moves onto the pipes when they're ready.
On the chanter
Learning the chanter, and reading music from day one.
Embellishments, control and timing. Reading gets easier.
New tunes and styles, and getting ready for the pipes.
On the bagpipes
Getting a steady sound, and building the puff to keep it going.
Expression, cleaner technique, and playing in front of people.
Harder tunes, other styles, and writing their own music.
All on a Thursday evening at Oban Pipe Band Hall, in term time. Each group has its own slot.
Learning music,
not just tunes.
I want pupils to understand the music and enjoy it. Here's what that looks like on a Thursday.
Reading from day one
Pupils learn to read the music rather than copy me. It takes a bit longer at first and makes every new tune easier.
Their own way of playing
There's room to phrase a tune their own way, and later on to write their own.
A say in what we learn
Pupils help choose the tunes and move up when they're ready. The more they steer their own playing, the more they get out of it.
Honest feedback
Friendly, but I'll always tell them what to work on next. Tidy technique matters, and there's always something to aim for.
Practice doesn't stop at the door.
Every pupil gets their own login for the members area. It has the tunes to play along to, a practice log, and a way to record a clip and send it to me for feedback. It works on any phone.
Our youngest chanter players at the first Etive Showcase, playing the tunes they'd just learned in front of about sixty people. Then they sat and watched the older groups, and got to hear where they're heading.
What parents say.
“My son is so lucky to be part of this amazing wee group of musicians. The teaching, support and mentoring is top class!”
“This is a fantastic group that is really inclusive whether you're just starting out on the chanter or have been playing the pipes a while.”
“Very well organised with goals and targets for them to achieve. Their successes are recognised and celebrated.”