Music Instruction by Alan


Introduction

Alan has played the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe for over forty-five years, and counts among his instructors some of the world's greatest teachers and players including the great gold-medalist James McColl, and P/M James Thompson of the Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band. Alan has won numerous awards in solo piping and band competition at Scottish Highland Games and Gatherings throughout California.

Alan was introduced to other kinds of bagpipes early-on in his music career, and has now mastered the playing of over a dozen different kinds of pipes from mostly Northwestern Europe (see Alan's Instrument Collection-Bagpipes). Besides the Scottish pipes, Alan prides himself as being one of the few masters of a number of Centre France bagpipes in the Western Hemispere. Alan's French bagpipe instructors include Eric Montbel of Lo Jai and Quintet de Cornemusies, Benoit Mager of Trio Patrick Bouffard, and Christophe Tellart of Percival.

The accordion came to Alan soon after the bagpipe (at age 15). Largely self-taught at first, over the years Alan has sought out other great players of of the diatonic (button) accordion, both to learn about various playing styles and techniques, and to expand his repetoire of traditional music. One of Alan's earliest instructors was Jehan Paul, a truly inspirational source of tunes and technique. Jehan has been a prominent figure in the traditional and folk music scene here in the Western U.S. for many years. Alan has now been playing the diatonic accordion professionally both solo and in bands for about 25 years. Please see Alan's Instrument Collection-Accordions Page) to view his instruments.


Bagpipe Instruction

Alan has been teaching the Great Highland Bagpipe for over 35 years. Many of his students have gone on to become fine soloists, band pipers and competitors at various piping competitions. One of Alan's students has even become a pipe-major of a highly placed band in New Zealand!

Alan has also been giving instruction and demonstration workshops for various Western European bagpipes for over a dozen years at a number of traditional music festivals and music camps in Northern California.


Accordion Instruction

Alan currently offers private and group instruction in beginning and intermediate diatonic accordion. Note: The bisonorous diatonic accordion differs from the more familiar piano accordion, in that it produces a different note per bellows direction for each button. Other bisonorous reed instruments include the anglo concertina and the harmonica.
Instruments are available for rent and purchace from Alan.


Lesson Information

Alan gives private lessons at his home in Mountain View, California, and often gives group lessons at various traditional and folk music camps in Northern California (call or write for dates and locations). Lessons include highly valuable information on reed-making, instrument set-up, tuning and maintenance, as well as historical and cultural uses, etc. - topics usually not covered by other instructors.

Instruments and materials requirement, rental or purchase information, and lesson scheduling and fees, can be obtained by contacting Alan by email (use the 'Contact' button on the navigation table below, or go to Alan's 'Home' Page for address),
or
telephone Alan at: (650) 964-5279

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last update: 2/5/09