Beginning the Journey to your First Tune
Quick Practice Checklist
Say the hole names out loud (Low A → High A and Back).
Match each hole to the correct finger.
Cover and uncover each hole slowly, naming it as you go.
End by pointing out the thumb on the back.
Key Idea to Remember:
Every hole has the same name as the finger that covers it.
Know the Finger Logic
Each finger matches the hole name it controls
Notes are created by combinations of open holes
Focus on smooth finger transitions between notes
Scale Practice
Practice slowly:
Low A → B → (off 1st on 2nd) to C → (D finger is highest) D → (off 1st on 2nd) to E → F → High G → (off 1st on 2nd) to High A
Then descend back down the scale
High A → (off 1st on 2nd) to High G → F → E → (off 1st on 2nd) to D → (D finger is highest) → C →(off 1st on 2nd) to B → Low A → Low G→ Low A
Lesson 5: Naming the Holes
0:01 – Introduction
Today’s focus: Names of the holes on the practice chanter and the fingers that cover them.
0:07 – Naming the Holes (Bottom to Top)
Low A (A)
B
C
D
E
F
G
High A on the Back (Thumb)
0:28 – Note on Extra Holes
Some chanters have two extra holes at the bottom.
Ignore these for now — not used at this stage.
0:40 – Finger Assignments
Each hole is covered by the finger of the same name:
A hole → A finger
B hole → B finger
C hole → C finger
etc. through G
Back hole (High A)→ Thumb
Understanding the Scale & Finger Movement
To play each note, specific holes must be uncovered.
Example:
Low A: only pinky lifted
B: A and B fingers lifted
Important distinction:
The note name is different from the individual finger names.
Bagpipe notes are created through combinations of open holes, not just single-finger movements.
1:28 – Transition from B to C
When moving from B to C:
The C finger lifts 1st
The pinky returns to the chanter
The hand briefly forms a “C shape.”
1:50 – Playing D
To play D:
B, C, and D fingers are lifted.
Introduce the concept of moving between bottom hand and top hand fingerings.
2:04 – Transitioning to the Top Hand
To play E:
Together, both the top hand E finger and the bottom hand pinky (A finger) lift off.
B, C, and D fingers return to the chanter.
From this point upward, the bottom hand stays stable while the top hand changes.
2:12 – Playing F & High G
F: E and F fingers lifted
High G: E, F, and G fingers lifted
2:21 – Playing High A
For High A:
Thumb lifts off the back
E finger returns to the chanter (pinky on top hand comes down with the E finger)
F and G remain lifted
IMPORTANT: The pink on the top hand moves up and down with the E finger. When the E finger is up the pinky is up and when the E finger is down the pinky is down.