Matt Willis teaches bagpiping in Lewisville, TX (just north of Dallas) with some limited availability in Dallas, and is always happy to start new students on the pipes. Matt has had great success training pipers throughout Texas, many of which are now competing with pipe bands throughout the state. He incorporates finger exercises, beginner level tunes as well as specific physical exercises and breath control training to get you ready for the full pipes.
Matt is a certified public educator, and has created his own piping curriculum that will quickly get one off the practice chanter and onto the full pipes, while learning real pipe tunes that all pipers should know.
To begin learning the Great Highland Bagpipe, you will need a practice chanter. A practice chanter is a recorder-like instrument that all pipers use to learn the embellishments and fingering of the pipes. Even advanced pipers use practice chanters to learn new tunes and practice old ones. Email Matt Willis and he can recommend some excellent online retailers.
Visit Mattpiper Bagpiping for more information on other bagpipe services.
"Anyone at just about any age can begin learning the pipes. I look forward to hearing from you and getting you started on the road to becoming a piper!"
Lessons
Location: Lessons are held in Lewisville most days of the week, with limited availability in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Check his calendar at http://www.mattpiper.com/calendar.html for availability.
Skill Level Required: Lessons are given to Beginner and Intermediate pipers.
Styles Taught: Traditional style Ceol Beag (light music) and Ceol Mor (piobaireachd, classical piping), as well as more unorthodox piping (working the pipes in with various other instruments).
Bagpipe Teaching Method: Matt has created his own bagpipe curriculum that is fast-paced, exciting and combines written music with ear training to more easily memorize tunes and get to the pipes as quickly as possible (with good technique of course!)
Length of Lessons:
Lessons are 60 or 90 minutes. More time is recommended for intermediate pipe students, to allow time on both the pipes and practice chanter.
Lesson Fees/Lesson Policies:
Please call 972-657-0318 or email Matt for current pricing and lesson policies.