Teach Yourself Bagpipes by Lindsay Davidson - Intermediate Finger Exercises and RSPBA MAP Tunes

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The Earl of Mansfield

Earl of Mansfield

Link to RSPBA (Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association) source

Midi files

Please click on these files to hear the music played through midi.

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

For more information on how to use these midi files please follow the link on the left.

Five discussion points

1   The throws in this tune make it tricky to fit everything in, but when they go right, the collective effect is superb. You will need to give extra attention to throws in this tune. As a general rule, the throws all have very short low Gs.
2   Rhythmical variety is also a major feature of this tune - there are an unusually high number of varied rhythmical fragments or patterns here. It is worth having everyone tap these out on the table together to show awareness of and control over this issue.
3   The doublings all have the high G gracenote opening before the beat and closing on the beat in this tune. This is particularly important in places such as bar 7, where rhythm becomes a major compositional feature.
4   F doublings from high G - be aware that some people add a thumb gracenote automatically here (it is a question of style), and like heavy and light throws, is a point that people can feel passionately about.
5   The thumb gracenotes should not be opened too early, and nor should the dotted note after be shortened. Respecting the written rhythm will give the tune the lightness of touch it really demands. To this end, the G gracenote from bar 12 to bar 13 should also be very short, therwise the tune will feel rushed and over embellished, which it is not, if you can get this lightness.  This tune is a superb place to show off your drummers, if you can.

Five exercises (please keep coming back until this is fully updated)

Exercise 1

mapex17

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

Exercise 2

mapex14

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

Exercise 3

mapex16

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

Exercise 4

mapex21graphic.png

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

Exercise 5

mapex27graphic.png

Low PitchHigh Pitch
Full speedFull speed
Half speedHalf speed
Quarter speedQuarter speed

About this project
Lindsay Davidson
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