Classes | Upper Potomac Music

Pipers Weekend Classes 2024

Class 1 Saturday 10-12:00 AM

Uilleann Piping Fundamentals (Sean Gavin) This class will cover techniques ranging from fundamentals like how to hold the instrument properly, efficiently use bellows and bag, and correct fingering, to articulation and ornamentation including staccato notes, rolls, and triplets. All levels.

Northumbrian Smallpipe Basics (Dick Hensold) Review basic technique, a little reed work, and assess the class level by enjoyably playing a few of Dick's favorite tunes and working on some tools refining technique. New players will be welcomed into the fold.

Gaelic Marches (Iain MacHarg) We have a rich treasure trove of beautiful Gaelic songs in the Highlands and Hebrides, and many of them make great marches for the pipes. Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, Cutting Bracken, Brown Haired Maiden

*Uncommon Time (Rosalind Buda)

Come jump in with both feet as we approach tunes written in uncommon meters! Many incredible tunes fall outside of the most common meters we find in jigs, reels, marches, strathspeys, and airs. Come play in 7/8, 5/4, 5/8, 3/2 and more! Students will be gratified to leave the class being better able to count, read, and feel these more “uncommon” tunes and meters.

Class 2 Saturday 1:30-3:30 PM

*Irish Piping Repertoire (Sean Gavin) This class will cover uilleann piping tunes specifically and how to play them on other instruments while maintaining the characteristics that make them uniquely piping tunes. Open to all instruments.

Variation Sets on Northumbrian Smallpipes (Dick Hensold) Old-style traditional variation sets for Northumbrian smallpipes: how to learn them, memorize them, interpret them, and improve them musically to suit your own tastes. Examples provided.

* Get Low Down! - Scottish Tunes in G (Rosalind Buda) Revel in this low down, unique key on the Scottish pipes and enjoy learning some tunes that are sure to delight and provide a fresh perspective on patterns, tone, and character on the SSP. Drone tuning options for playing in G will also be explored.

A big 2/4 March (Advanced Class)! (Iain MacHarg) If you allow yourself to believe that it is impossible for you to do what you see others perform, your despair will not allow to succeed, but if you let a reasonable assurance animate your endeavors, with a determined resolution, good tuition, and careful practice during a severe course of training, you will overcome all difficulties. Repeat again and again: facility, will always come with diligence and labor. Endeavour to be the first man in your profession, never, allow yourself to become vain through success or discouraged by ill fortune. John McLennan Edinburgh, 1907.

Time for a big competitive Highland pipe style march. This will stretch your technical ability.

Saturday Mini- Classes (do not sign up for these on application

*Irish Flute (Sean Gavin) This will be a master class in Irish flute ranging in topics from rhythm, phrasing, ornamentation, listening skills, etc. Flutes are encouraged but not required. Open to all instruments.

*Aging as a musician—some insights and tips from current research(Dick Hensold) Open to all.

Piobaireachd (Iain MacHarg) “The first time I heard Piobaireachd, I was crying and crying. It was wonderful. It gave me a feeling I sometimes have from sacred music. Piobaireachd seems like a mantra, a spiritual thing, that moves you deeply. I think if you don’t want to listen to your soul, if you are afraid of your deep side, you hate Piobaireachd. I think it can take you into your true self.” Daniela Ballardini 2004 Piping Today

* Performance Masterclass (Rosalind Buda) Giving students a chance to perform in front of their peers and the teacher who would then offer constructive feedback and work with the student in front of the group. Folks would take turns performing. Effort on making it fun to encourage a lighthearted atmosphere. Discussion of performances strategies, nerves, energy, focus, etc.

Class 3 Sunday 10:00-12:00 AM

Irish Piping Class ( Sean Gavin) This class is a general piping class. Students can expect to learn a tune, some technique, some ornamentation, phrasing, rhythm, and all the fundamentals crucial to traditional Irish piping. Open to all levels.

* Scottish Airs Adapted for Northumbrian Pipes (Dick Hensold) Mostly Scottish fiddle tunes but arranged to suit the NSP.

It’s Theoretical! (Rosalind Buda) Enjoy exploring music theory through listening, pattern naming and recognition, and drone tuning! Rosalind will use some tunes we know well to exemplify patterns, keys, chords, and other more mysterious-seeming aspects of theory. Students should come with open ears for learning new aspects of music through the enjoyable tunes we will explore together. Taught by ear.

Exploration of the Tradition of Writing Variations for Scottish Lowland Tunes (Iain MacHarg)

We will be exploring the tradition of writing variations on established lowland melodies and practice writing some of our own variations as well as revisiting variations we composed last year. Fill the Bumper Fair, Blind Billy

Class 4 Sunday 2-4 PM

Advanced Irish Piping Class (Sean Gavin) This class will cover a variety of topics including discussion of great players of the past and present, their techniques and inspirations, and an overview of musical thinking - music beyond the fingers.

Ornaments and Graces in Duet Playing (Dick Hensold) Continuing work with duets, there will be a focus on ornaments and graces and further improving piping technique.

Tunes by our Friends (Rosalind Buda) This special session of SSP music is meant to celebrate the compositions of some of our most beloved SSP teachers from UPPW. Led by Rosalind Buda, she will share her favorites from Iain MacHarg, Tim Cummings, Nate Banton, Alan MacDonald, and more!

*A Giant Franco-Flemish Scottish/Irish Infused EVERYBODY Jam! (Iain MacHarg) Everyone is welcome. We’re going to jam the whole class on some old favorites. Pipers in G and A playing together! 3 Pach Pi, Danse du Printemps, Les Bouffon, Eagle’s Whistle

* Classes most suitable for mixed-instruments in pipe-friendly keys. Others may be possible.

Smallpipes classes are open to mouth-blown reel pipes if they have the correct bore and are tuned in A.

Less skilled players are welcome to listen in all classes; to master what they can, and record the rest for future work.