Tim,
I think the suggestion that someone who wants to master the instrument
and play well is doing it as a "technical exercise" instead of
enjoying playing music is insulting. I believe that if you're going
to play music you first need to get a level of competency on the
instrument you play. I certainly agree that there are many styles of
playing, and a wide range of musical tastes.
--Rick
On Apr 14, 2009, at 4:31 AM, tim rolls BT wrote:
I too have little experience of piping, but I agree that the area of
the correct way to play is a subject of some debate. I am keen to
ensure that the NSP community is receptive to the efforts of young
pipers, (and older ones, no prejudice here) so as I reckon you have
a good thirty years yet of being a young piper you will have plenty
of opportunity to develop your style, jazz on the pipes eh?
Rick, if you are in the group treating pipes playing as a technical
exercise, and trying to achieve a certain traditional technique is
your aim, then certainly there is a right answer, and luckily there
are pipers who will gladly help you work towards that aim, but if
your aim is more philosophical, like trying to enjoy playing the
music you can make for your own pleasure, then it would seem there
are as many right answers as there are players. In general, the
latter group don't try to tell the former not to try and achieve the
perfection they are looking for! Each to his own.
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