Ah the sound of one hand clapping, a frequent accompaniment to the postings made on these boards. Sadly the calls for tuition in the wider community (ie that not in the central belt of Scotland or Morpeth) go mostly unheard it appears. I often think you'll have more chance moving to one of the northern states of the USA! I think maybe those of us who would wish tuition, whatever our level, should consider why this is and what signals we are giving would be instructors.
Are you, for example aware, that the Musicians Union rate for a fully qualified music teacher (ie grade 8 in 3 instruments and the holder of a diploma) starts at £32 an hour? Now I'm going to guess that there are very,very few pipe teachers that would be considered fully qualified under such terms however a specialist knowledge well imparted is worthy of just reward I'd suggest.
What the guys charge the LBPS for their services at the annual teaching do I don't know. My attempts to find out by asking directly when trying to start the ball rolling for a border pipe teaching bash were comprehensively blanked. I think however these are the kind of considerations we need to be making and providing for if we are going to attract some proper tuition outside of the north's comfort belt.
