Music Production tutor · Northop
Mr D.
Beginner and Intermediate Bagpipe Tuition
Hourly rate
£30/hr
Music Production tutor · Northop
Beginner and Intermediate Bagpipe Tuition
About
Personal:
I am married to my Carolyn, who also is a music teacher (singing and piano). I have four children and five grandchildren, two black Labradors called Bryn & Islay and a Bichon Frise called Willow (AKA The Princess!). I live near Mold, North Wales. I am 66 years old.
I enjoy reading, the countryside and taking our dogs for walks.
Tuition:
Learning to play the bagpipes is not something that you can do quickly. You need to learn the correct techniques right from the beginning. I offer an understanding approach to the learning challenges of playing the bagpipes and use a 'brick by brick' building approach to learning. I try to make the lessons fun and set small (but achievable) challenges for your home work. Every lesson is tailored to an individual's learning ability. Some students pick up the basics quickly, others not quite so fast, but it really doesn't matter as I will teach you at your own pace.
I use a well tested syllabus which covers both the practical and theory aspects you need as a learner. This syllabus has seen my students go from complete beginners, to competing (and for some) winning their category in on-line piping competitions.
Ideally 'face to face' tuition is always best, however, for students who live more than 1 hour away, I use Zoom for their lessons. I also recommend the use of WhatsApp to share videos and encourage students to share videos of their progress inbetween their lessons. This enables me to check on their progress and give feedback on errors so they aren't practiced and memorized. I am also able to send instructional videos so students can see the breakdown of finger movements and gain a better understand to the rhythym of tunes and exercises.
In the 10 years I have been teaching I have taught all abilities, including a number of students who have had learning difficulties and PTSD.
Experience:
I first learnt to play the bagpipes 45 years ago at the College of Piping in Glasgow. I later received tuition from Willie McKay, Crieff, P/M Andy Renwick (Vale of Atholl Pipe Band), Dougie McCance (finalist in The Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017 & Red Hot Chilli Piper), Harry Richards and Kyle Howie, both also full time pipers with the The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
I was a member of the Gleneagles Strathearn Pipe Band (Grade 3 World Pipe Band Champions) for 8 years. I am currently Pipe Sergeant of the Wirral Pipe Band which is under the leadership of P/M Chris Eyre and is based at Moreton on the Wirral.
As a member of the The Wirral Pipe Band, I have played on stage with Andre Rieu, The Chieftains and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. I was also part of the Massed Pipes and Drums at the City of Liverpool Tattoo 2018 and the British International Tattoo Massed Pipes and Drums.
Most of my piping time is spent playing at weddings, funerals, Burns and St Andrew Nights and a variety of celebrations, and of course with The Wirral Pipe Band on events.
Subjects & pricing
£30/hr
- Absolute Beginner, Grade 1-2, Grade 4-5, Early Beginner / Pre-Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 6-7, Grade 8
Languages
- English Native
Qualifications
Other
- 10 Years Teaching Experience
- Member of The Gleneagles Strathearn Pipe Band, Grade 3 World Champions
Reviews from Tutorperch
No Tutorperch reviews yet. Students can leave a verified review here after a lesson.
Reviews from First Tutors
Imported from Mr D.'s First Tutors profile before the site went dark. Shown separately from Tutorperch reviews — today they don't feed this tutor's Tutorperch rating or ranking.
How we verify these
Each imported review went through admin review. The tutor proved ownership of the First Tutors profile via one of two paths:
- Photo match. The First Tutors avatar matched the tutor's identity-verified Tutorperch photo, confirmed by admin.
- Cryptographic email check. The tutor uploaded an original First Tutors email (.eml). We verified the DKIM signature against First Tutors' signing keys and cross-checked the embedded tutor ID against the claimed profile.
The review text is the original reviewer's own words, quoted as-is. We verified the tutor's ownership of the profile, not the truth of what each individual reviewer wrote.
- Jul 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
Janice
I contacted Richard to arrange a surprise birthday gift for my husband, who recently took up the bagpipes again after a 59-year hiatus. Richard responded to my emails promptly, explored ways to help me get set up with First Tutors, and we had a long and lovely conversation about his teaching approach and methodology. He is clear, understanding, and flexible. My husband has since begun lessons with Richard, and from what I’ve heard – both the sound of the practising pipes and his own enthusiastic comments – things are going very well!
- Jan 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
Derrick
Very good tutor for a new student can’t fault it.
Mr D. replied
Thank you Derrick. You are making solid progress - well done!
- Jan 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
Robert
I've had a couple of lessons so far with Richard and i must admit that i'm very happy with his teaching. good and clear explanation and some good exercises. I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn the bagpipes.
Mr D. replied
Thank you for your kind words. Your hard work is reaping rewards - well done!
- Jan 2025 ·imported from First Tutors
Leticia
Richard is a fantastic bagpipe tutor and has such a great way of teaching. He makes it fun and engaging and Im already looking forward to my next lesson. I would really recommend him to everyone and anyone who would like to start playing. Very happy student. Thank you.
Mr D. replied
Thank you Leticia for your kind comments. I too enjoyed our first lesson and I am very much looking forward to our musical journey together.
- Oct 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
Laura
We’ve only had one session with Richard so far. Richard was very friendly and put my daughter at ease. She’s 8 and Richard tailored the session so she could get the most out of it and felt a sense of achievement. Richard also picked up on her signals and knew when to stop the session. We’re very much looking forward continuing our learning journey together.
- Apr 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
Stephen
On first contact with Richard, I knew I had an excellent teacher. Richard has been very supportive, as it has been many, many years since I played any musical instrument. Richard has a very calm and structured approach to teaching, making sure it’s fun, productive and achievable. I would have no hesitation in recommending Richard as a tutor…
- Feb 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
Abbey
Richard is an absolutely fantastic tutor! I look forward to my lessons each week as Richard is so engaging, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I'm encouraged to send videos throughout the week between lessons so that Richard can give advice and feedback to stop any bad habits. I'm really excited to be on this journey with such a great tutor and would recommend him to anyone!
Mr D. replied
Thank you for your kind comments. Your progress has been amazing as you have taken on board everything that I we have discussed. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Keep up the hard work! Well done.
- Feb 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
Ian
I've had two sessions so far. We've started on the very basic to ensure I can change from note to note smoothly and with no unwanted sounds. Richard is patient and encouraging. He indentifies my mistakes and gives me ways to correct them. Although it's early days I would recommend him to would-be students.
Mr D. replied
Thank you for your kind feedback Ian. You are making great progress and working hard to perfect your note transitions. This will get easier in time and provide you a solid technique going forward. Well done!
- Feb 2024 ·imported from First Tutors
Emma
Very happy with my teacher! Clear and explains things well, made me feel comfortable and at ease, useful paperwork, which consists of everything a beginner needs,
Mr D. replied
Thank you Emma. You have made a great start and I am very much looking forward to our lessons ahead.
- Dec 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
Ron
I have found Richard to be very approachable and knowledgeable. He is very good at spotting and resolving the technical issues which you face as a beginner on a new instrument.
- Aug 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
Janet
- Jul 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
Jez
Really easy to work with and very patient
Mr D. replied
You have worked hard and as a result made excellent progress. Well done Jez!
- Jun 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
Hamish
Richard is a great teacher. Very patient and excellent at explaining things along with giving constructive feedback on all exercises. The learning materials he provides are brilliant and easy to follow. Would highly recommend Richard to anyone looking to start playing the chanter.
Mr D. replied
Thank you Hamish. You have made a great start and your progress is a direct result of the hard work you have put in. Well done!
- Mar 2022 ·imported from First Tutors
Richard
Very happy with Richard's manor, reliability and the way he teaches.
- Nov 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
Maria
Richard is efficient, patient, and is experienced in his field. My child enjoys his lessons with him.
- Jun 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
Paul
I really appreciated the help Richard gave me in setting up my pipes! It is great to have such a knowledgable tutor so close by! I am really looking forward to learning from him!
- May 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
Stuart
I decided to learn the bagpipes and due to location / covid, i decided online was the best option. Having read the excellent reviews for richard, i decided to contact him. Since our first contact, richard has been very professional and friendly, but most importantly, patient and very knowledgeable. The pipes are known for being a difficult instrument to learn, but I feel confident in the approach richard takes and the patience he displays in explaining (you never feel like you can't say, sorry I don't understand that) and he will find a way to explain that you understand. Richard will also encourage that you share practice video(s) throughout the time between lessons if you want to, which is great for ensuring you're not going wrong. All in all, a knowagable, friendly and patient tutor and I can't recommend him enough for anyone wanting to learn the pipes.
Mr D. replied
Thank you Stu. Your dedication and hard work in your practicing has resulted in a great start! Well done.
- Jan 2021 ·imported from First Tutors
John
Very helpful in getting my 10 year old son started with the chanter/bagpipes. Clearly an experienced and enthusiastic teacher with the patience to go with the development of the student. Both looking forward to next lesson.
Mr D. replied
Thank you for your kind words.
- Sept 2020 ·imported from First Tutors
Andrew
As a complete beginner, Richard demonstrates exceptionally high levels of patience and support! I really benefit from the expectation of a forthcoming lesson to ensure I make quality time for practice. I leave lessons feeling motivated for the next and am encouraged by my own progress as slowly, my brain and fingers start to work together! Richard motivates in a suppotive manner, with humour and friendliness. I would recommend him to anybody starting out. I count myself as lucky to learn from somebody with as much experience and skill.
Mr D. replied
Andrew thank you for you kind words. Your progress is testament to your hard work in our lessons and the the quality of practice you do in between. I enjoy our lessons and the banter we have. Well done on your progress so far - keep it going as through your dedication you are very much on the right track!
- Jul 2020 ·imported from First Tutors
Philip
Iv’e already given you my thoughts on Richards teaching methods.