Scottish Bagpipes - Intermediate
This course provides the tools to bridge from fundamental playing towards a more stylistically confident and ornamentally rich performance.
Start playingLesson - Mad Mick'spreview
About this course
This intermediate-level course with acclaimed piper Ross Ainslie builds directly on the foundation established in his beginner Scottish bagpipe course. Designed for players who are ready to adva...read more
This intermediate-level course with acclaimed piper Ross Ainslie builds directly on the foundation established in his beginner Scottish bagpipe course. Designed for players who are ready to advance their skills, the course focuses on developing greater technical fluency and musical expression.
Students will work on essential embellishments and ornaments, including doublings, grips, taorluaths, tachums, edre movements, and shakes, while also extending the scale through the use of C natural. These techniques are explored within a carefully selected repertoire that challenges and inspires, featuring tunes such as Lochanside (3/4 March), Clan Wallace (Strathspey), Unite the Clans (March), Mad Micks (Jig), and Tain in the Rain (Reel).
Through Ross’s clear guidance, this course provides the tools to bridge from fundamental playing towards a more stylistically confident and ornamentally rich performance.
Students will work on essential embellishments and ornaments, including doublings, grips, taorluaths, tachums, edre movements, and shakes, while also extending the scale through the use of C natural. These techniques are explored within a carefully selected repertoire that challenges and inspires, featuring tunes such as Lochanside (3/4 March), Clan Wallace (Strathspey), Unite the Clans (March), Mad Micks (Jig), and Tain in the Rain (Reel).
Through Ross’s clear guidance, this course provides the tools to bridge from fundamental playing towards a more stylistically confident and ornamentally rich performance.
This intermediate-level course with acclaimed piper Ross Ainslie builds directly on the foundation established in his beginner Scottish bagpipe course. Designed for players who are ready to advance their skills, the course focuses on developing greater technical fluency and musical expression.
Students will work on essential embellishments and ornaments, including doublings, grips, taorluaths, tachums, edre movements, and shakes, while also extending the scale through the use of C natural. These techniques are explored within a carefully selected repertoire that challenges and inspires, featuring tunes such as Lochanside (3/4 March), Clan Wallace (Strathspey), Unite the Clans (March), Mad Micks (Jig), and Tain in the Rain (Reel).
Through Ross’s clear guidance, this course provides the tools to bridge from fundamental playing towards a more stylistically confident and ornamentally rich performance.
Students will work on essential embellishments and ornaments, including doublings, grips, taorluaths, tachums, edre movements, and shakes, while also extending the scale through the use of C natural. These techniques are explored within a carefully selected repertoire that challenges and inspires, featuring tunes such as Lochanside (3/4 March), Clan Wallace (Strathspey), Unite the Clans (March), Mad Micks (Jig), and Tain in the Rain (Reel).
Through Ross’s clear guidance, this course provides the tools to bridge from fundamental playing towards a more stylistically confident and ornamentally rich performance.
Teacher: Ross Ainslie
Instrument: Bagpipes
Countries: Scotland
Musical forms: Reel, March, Jig, Strathspey
Browse the 15 lessons
- Course introduction
- Technique - Doublings
- Technique - Burl
- Technique - Tachum
- Technique - Grips
- Technique - Taorluas
- Technique - Throw on the D
- Lochanside
- Clan Wallace
- Technique - The Shake
- Unite the Clans
- Technique - Edre
- Technique - C Natural Fingering
- Mad Mick'spreview
- Tain in the Rainpreview
The best online
platform for
Folk Music!
On the Folk Music Academy, you will be able to learn folk music in online video masterclasses taught by some of the best traditional musicians around.
With a subscription you will get access to the lessons of all teachers and all istruments
- Access to 674 video lessons
- 36 teachers &
16 instruments - Learn at your own pace
- Exclusive online workshops
- Music scores**where available and only part of a Yearly subscription
About Ross Ainslie
Ross Ainslie is a renowned Scottish musician and composer, known for his mastery of the pipes, whistles, and cittern. Born in Perthshire, his career was shaped by his early mentorship with Gordon Duncan. Ross is celebrated for his solo work and collaborations with bands like Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica, and Dougie Maclean, as well as performances with global artists like Zakir Hussain and Kate Rusby. His unique style blends traditional Scottish music with diverse influences, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary folk music.
Signup for free sample lessons & exclusive offers
Tell us what instrument you are interested in and we’ll send you sample lessons, exclusive offers, news about courses, teachers, upcoming workshops and more!
About the Bagpipes
The bagpipes have a rich and varied history, originating in ancient civilizations like Egypt and evolving through Europe with evidence in Greek and Roman texts. The Highland Bagpipe, now synonymous with Scottish culture, developed over centuries, becoming Scotland's national instrument in both war and peace. Despite a period of prohibition following the Jacobite uprising in 1745, bagpipes remained a symbol of Scottish heritage and have since spread worldwide. They continue to be celebrated for their unique sound and historical significance, particularly in Scottish military and cultural events.
Other popular
Courses
Our courses are taught by some of the very best musicians and teachers. Every course contains high-quality video lessons shot from multiple angles, for an optimal learning experience.
.jpg)
