The Bagpipe Manual sets out key areas of performance that will allow pipers
of all levels to play at a high standard.
Key elements included in the book:
Setting good hand positions and training fingers to move freely is essential. Having
control of the opening and especially the closing of each finger is very important.
Developing quality gracenotes to build balance embellishments and maintain rhythm
in tunes is also essential.
Being able to read music and have a good knowledge of theory.
Understanding that rhythm in a tune is developed between the down and upbeats
and how the rhythms of various time signatures differ from one to another.
Identifying the three different lengths of short notes and how they are used to
develop musical phrasings within tunes.
Methods of learning and memorizing tunes accurately and quickly.
The principles of tuning bagpipes and blowing tone.