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A four-part workshop series designed to support developing pipers as they evolve from playing the practice chanter to the Great Highland Bagpipes.
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Transitioning from the Chanter to the Bagpipes: A four-part workshop series designed to support developing pipers as they evolve from playing the practice chanter to the Great Highland Bagpipes.
6pm-8pm at the Littlefield Celtic Center on these four dates: June 18th, July 2nd, July 16th, and July 30th
This series of workshops led by Zephan Knichel will cover the fundamental aspects of playing the Great Highland Bagpipes. Our focus will be on mechanics rather than music during this series. Students will learn step-by-step how to navigate the complex transition from practice chanter to the Great Highland Bagpipes. Each student will develop a strong foundation of understanding on these topics over the duration of the series:
-Posture
-Breathing, Blowing, and Arm control (Maintaining Steady Pressure/Steady Blowing)
-Essential Bagpipe Maintenance
-Tuning
-Drone Reed and Basic Chanter Reed Manipulation
-Attacks and Cut-offs (how to start and stop your pipes)
-Instrument and Body Mechanics
-Do’s and Don’ts
-And Much More Including: Stamina, Dexterity, Flexibility, and Strength Exercises
*Ideally this course is designed for students that are newer to playing the Great Highland Bagpipes, that have had some rudimentary exposure to playing the full instrument. Please inquire if you are uncertain if this course is right for you. Please bring your Bagpipes, 3 drone-top corks, 4 stock corks, plus a binder/notepad and pen/pencil to each workshop session.
Feel free to email Events@CelticArts.org with any questions.
Instructor Zephan Knichel has been a grade one band player since 2003. He formerly played with Alberta Caledonia and is currently in his ninth season with the SFU Pipe Band. Zephan is an active solo competitor in North America and Scotland. In 2022 Zephan won the Boney Invitational and was the runner up for the BCPA Open Piping Grand Aggregate Award. Zephan made the prize list in several competitions in Scotland, was the Champion Piper at the Crieff Highland Gathering and won the “B” grade Hornpipe/Jig at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. Zephan is a full time bagpipe instructor. He was an instructor with the RMM organization for 7 seasons and continues to lend a hand when he is in town. Zephan is a regular instructor at the Piping Hot Summer Drummer schools.
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