First pipe

An eleven-year-old who I’ve taught the past seven months or so is starting on the pipes this evening. He still has some technique to learn, but my idea is to get him going on the big pipe sooner, since the pipes are competing with the trombone, the piano, soccer, cross-country and who knows what else.

We’re loaning him my wife Julie’s set of Tweedie drones, which are actually one of the last sets that the late, great Jimmy Tweedie made himself. Beautiful workmanship. I played them for a season in a band some time ago. These pipes should be played.

But hopefully the pipes will win over Liam’s attention and time. He’s got a natural gift for seeing and doing perfectly, which is a great ability to have as a piper.