Instrument: Practice Chanter
Every piper begins here. Tier I is not a preliminary to the tradition — it is the first encounter with it. The practice chanter is the instrument on which every Highland piper learns to play, and the discipline established at this stage determines the quality of everything that follows.
What you will learn
- Correct embouchure and hand position from the first lesson
- The eight-note scale, played cleanly and with consistent tone
- Reading standard pipe music notation
- Correct posture and physical positioning
- Five tunes played with sheet music to a consistent standard
Approach
Lessons at Tier I are methodical by design. Each session builds directly on the last. There is no rushing through the scale to get to tunes — the mechanics of correct playing are established first, because errors embedded at this stage are significantly harder to correct later. Written feedback is provided after every lesson.
Progression to Tier II
A student advances to Tier II when they can play the scale cleanly, execute basic fingering without hesitation, and perform five tunes with sheet music to a consistent standard. Progression is assessed by the instructor and confirmed in writing.
Can play five tunes with sheet music.