Description
This instruction book for bagpipes with semi-closed French fingering turns bagpipe playing into a tangible art. The bagpipe scene has waited a long time for such a comprehensive work that will find favor throughout Europe. With their typical French fingering, these bagpipes are among the most popular of their kind – in a class of their own alongside the famous Highland bagpipes.
Unfolding the musical spectrum
The textbook “Playing the Bagpipes” opens doors to a musical spectrum that goes far beyond that of conventional bagpipes. Thanks to the wide range and chromaticism of these instruments, they open up unimagined expressive possibilities for the musician. Today, it is impossible to imagine the folk and dance scene without them.
Bernard Boulanger: A virtuoso shares his knowledge
Bernard Boulanger, himself a recognized master of his trade, shares his extensive knowledge in this book. He has been teaching students in northern France for over 20 years and has had a significant influence on the French bagpipe scene with his music school ‘La Piposa’. Boulanger spent over 12 years working on the textbook “Dudelsack spielen” (Playing the Bagpipes) in order to convey the variety of playing and ornamentation techniques in a systematic and comprehensible way.
The curriculum: From beginner to expert
In the first part of the book, all the basic playing techniques are explained in detail. A large number of exercises enable learners to apply what they have learned in practice. The selected melodies in “Playing the bagpipes” gradually lead the musician to a deeper musical understanding.
Bernard Boulanger: A personality with influence
Bernard Boulanger’s talent for keeping the pace and guiding the group at the same time is impressive. His connection to dance, his passion and dedication to the art of bagpiping can be felt in every note. He developed and perfected this teaching method over almost 15 years, tested by hundreds of students at his training center La Piposa.
A comprehensive guide for every learner
From the basics to advanced techniques, this book is suitable both for self-learners and as support in the classroom. The close cooperation with experienced musicians, teachers and instrument makers guarantees a teaching method that has been tried and tested in practice.
Discover the world of French bagpipes
Unleash your musical potential and immerse yourself in the world of French bagpipes. With this book at your side, every lesson will enrich your musical path. The accompanying CD provided deepens what has been learned and brings the subtle nuances of the game closer.
“Playing the bagpipes” – Now it’s your turn
Every ambitious bagpipe player will find this textbook an indispensable companion on the way to mastery. Whether you are just starting to play the bagpipes or want to take your skills to a new level, this book will give you the tools to develop your musical skills. Start your path to mastery now and let Bernard Boulanger’s expertise guide you.
Foreword
Having played more than 200 bals folk sitting next to Bernard Boulanger, I can assure you, the man’s got what it takes! A hell of a tempo, a velvety-smooth fingering…, a quick glance to the side – reproachful when we unintentionally went too fast, sparkling with joy when we strung together bourrées on the burr! And his feet! You have to see it when he sits there and pounds out the rhythm to the songs – impressive! Bernard was an excellent dancer long before he became this excellent bagpipe player and teacher, and you can feel it!
Bernard is stubborn! He worked at this school for almost 15 years. And to make sure that his teaching method was correct, he did not stop at obtaining a diploma in traditional music teaching, he also created a place of learning: La Piposa. And at this training center for around 500 young musicians, he tested, improved, corrected and finally completed this bagpipe school day after day. It is enough to listen to a concert by La Piposa today to appreciate the extent of the work that has been done.
The Scottish and Irish pipers have had their school for a long time, from now on the bagpipe players of the central French type will also have theirs. The gap has been filled, but the oral aspect will not suffer as a result, because Bernard’s approach as a musician is to remind us again and again in the course of his teaching work that, beyond precise, systematic and necessary exercises, there is nothing better than actually playing together with other musicians.
Bernard Boulanger’s bagpipe school is undoubtedly an important work, inspired by the “great old ones” such as Hotteterre or Chédeville, and a faithful companion to the teacher, instructor, student or course participant.
And I have no doubt that as you work your way through the pages, you will sometimes notice a disapproving or encouraging wink as you follow a piece of advice or immerse yourself in an exercise…
Thank you, Bernard and La Piposa!
Roland Delassus
Author:in
Bernard Boulanger
State diploma as a teacher of traditional music (Titulaire du Diplôme d’Etat d’enseignement de musique traditionnelle); born. 1956; profession: primary school teacher; lives in Sailly sur la Lys / Pas de Calais.
Bernard started folk dancing in the amateur association of Boëseghem in the last year of primary school. From the 6th grade onwards (1st class at French college), the group “Pacotins et des Pacotines” sent him on dance courses in the regions where folk dance is still practiced: Berry, Auvergne, Brittany … His relationship with the dance group from Pléhérel (Côte d’Armor) and regular meetings with them infected him with the bagpipe virus. A vacation job allowed him to afford his first bagpipe, a Scottish one. This was followed by two B.A.S. (Bodadeg ar Sonerion) courses in St. Evarzec with Bruno le Rouzic as teacher in the second course. Then, when the “Pacotins” turned to Flemish dances, Bernard took a playing course in Neufchâteau with Jean-Pierre Van Hees. He changed instruments and switched to the Flemish bagpipes; at first he had a less reliable instrument, which led him to order a “real” one, a bagpipe from Remy Dubois.
This was followed by the time with “Chantefoire”, a dance music group that played for 6 or 7 years in the Nord – Pas de Calais regions. He then met “Le Grand Rouge” and Eric Montbel, followed by courses in central France, which resulted in a different style of playing and another change of bagpipe to a “Béchonnet” by Bernard Blanc (14 pouces – the measure of the chanter, i.e. key of A). This was followed by the founding of the bagpipe association “Piposa”, the practice bagpipes and … the textbook.
