Hints & Tips

Theory Top-Up: simple matters

Theory Top-Up: simple matters

By TIM CUMMINGS. Piping Today #96, 2019 In the last episode of Theoretically Speaking, we took an initial look at some of the theory behind rhythm and metre – specifically, decoding time signatures (or metre signatures). In case you missed it or would like a quick refresher: time signatures are […]

Theory Top-Up: time signatures

Theory Top-Up: time signatures

By TIM CUMMINGS. Piping Today #95, 2019 I have been teaching private lessons on the pipes and other instruments for close to 30 years now.  Those of you who have done any teaching for a decade or more can understand my experience that every student is unique, and brings a […]

Iain MacInnes teaching both by ear and with the aid of sheet music at 2014 Càirdeas (aka Vermont Bellowspipe School)

Theory Top-Up: learning tunes by ear

By TIM CUMMINGS. Piping Today #93/94, 2018/19 Part 1 Since starting piano lessons at the age of six (now 38 years ago), I have enjoyed and been challenged by a decades-long stretch of both learning and teaching music in one-on-one, small-group workshop and classroom settings.  Most of this music has […]

Theory Top-Up: harmonies derived from hymns

Theory Top-Up: harmonies derived from hymns

Harmony Writing Part Eight. By TIM CUMMINGS. Piping Today #92, 2018. We have arrived at the eighth and last article on writing harmonies for pipe bands and other pipe ensembles — for the time being, at least.  In the previous seven articles, we explored a progression of approaches to crafting […]