Tutorial for advanced players of the medieval bagpipes (Marktsackpfeife)
The new volume 2 von Thomas Zöller - with a foreword by Brian Haase (aka Briantanus).
ATTENTION! This book is in German. But photos, pictures and sheet music are definitely useful, and can also be used without knowledge of the German language.
It’s been about 3 years since the first bagpipes “Fibel” was published. The enthusiasm for the first bagpipes “Fibel”, the suggestions and shared experiences inspired the author to write a sequel. Volume 2 of the popular bagpipe tutorial picks up where volume 1 left off and provides easy to understand and comprehensive, advanced playing techniques and advanced fundamentals for the practice chanter and bagpipe. In addition, it includes more new and familiar melodies for these instruments. In Volume 1 of the “Fibel” you learn basics. Volume 2 proceeds with expanding your own means of expression based on what you’ve already learned. You learn how to make melodies interesting through shaping and embellishment, and you’ll learn new stylistic devices so you can create your own variations. Volume 2 covers, among other things, the following topics:
Development of Variations (with grace notes, new melody notes)
New embellishments (double, triple combinations)
Vibrato
Drawn out notes - Glissando
Combination of embellishment techniques
Rhythm - the piper’s tool
Advanced Music Theory
The use of G-drone
Intonation of the bagpipe
New sounds on the bagpipe (C# / G#)
and many new tunes
By using and combining all these techniques, the musician receives a wealth of new ways he or she can greatly expand the musical and tonal variety of the bagpipe and develop his or her personal style.
As before, the book is beautifully designed by graphic artist Frank Wolf. It is printed in full color and filled with numerous diagrams and illustrations. On the website www.sackpfeifen-fibel.de the owners of this textbook provide an online database. It includes everything discussed in the bagpipe “Fibel” as well as exercises to listen to and play along with. The online database with sound samples is available to all purchasers of this textbook who request (via email) the access information from the author. The two volumes of the bagpipe “Fibel” constitute the only comprehensive textbook for bagpipe, or as you may know them, the medieval bagpipes, from having seen them at medieval markets or from hearing such groups as “In Extremo” or “Corvus Corax”.
Both textbooks, in a structured fashion, teach beginners and advanced players performing and embellishing techniques. They guide the student step by step from the exercise chanter to the pipe bagpipe. All content is vividly illustrated with text, pictures, and graphics. Before working with volume 2 you should have worked through and understood the first volume of the bagpipe “Fibel”. The notation system used in volume 2 is the same as volume 1. The background to this and the reading of the notes are taught in the first volume.
This beautifully designed book in four-color print is dedicated to all those interested in the "medieval" bagpipes, as they are known these days. "Medieval" is here put in quotes because this use does not constitute an historical bagpipe. Various terms are used in connection with this instrument, for example, bagpipe, A-sack or marktsack. In this book, the author uses the term "bagpipe".
As with any musical instrument, it is also true that learning entirely on your own is not recommended. You would do well to find a conscientious teacher in addition to working with the tutorial.
About the author: Thomas Zöller studied Scottish Music with a major in Great Highland Bagpipe at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. His musical activities range from medieval music to pop productions. Either as a permanent member, guest or studio musician, he plays in several well-known groups. In 2005 he founded the German Bagpipe Academy, which sees itself as the German center for various European bagpipe traditions. Since 2007, the Academy organizes the Inter-Celtic Bagpipes Folk Festival, inviting internationally renowned artists to Hofheim am Taunus.
