Small Pipes with Ross Ainslie: 29 July 2024

This course would suit upper intermediate to advanced players.

Ross will be teaching mostly in a group setting by ear, but sheet music will be provided if needed; with a variety of different tunes from around the world being taught, looking at pipes with other instruments, techniques and session tunes. Please bring your own pipes and practice chanter as most of the tune learning will be on that; it would also be handy to have a recording device.

About Ross

Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, playing pipes, whistles and cittern. He is renowned for his highly acclaimed solo material, and as a skilled performer and prolific collaborator who performs regularly with bands Treacherous Orchestra (of which he is a founding member) Salsa Celtica, Dougie Maclean, Ali Hutton, Jarlath Henderson, Charlie Mckerron, Tim Edey, Hamish Napier, India Alba, and has performed with Kate Rusby, Blue Rose Code, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Capercaillie, Shooglenifty, Carl Barat, Papon, Karsh Kale, Flook, Breabach, Soumik Datta and Patsy Reid.

Born in Perthshire in 1983, Ross began his career as a member of the Perth and District Pipe Band, before joining the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, where he was mentored by piper Gordon Duncan. Hugely influenced by Gordon’s fearlessly innovative spirit and groundbreaking compositions, Ross began exploring his own abilities as a composer and writing his own tunes, and in 2002 he was a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.

Ross has four solo albums to date: Wide Open, in 2013; Remembering, in 2015; Sanctuary, in 2017; and Vana, in 2020. Prestigious industry recognition has come in the form of a multitude of awards, including ‘Best Duo’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with Ali Hutton in 2017, and a nomination for the same award in 2018. Ross was also ‘Composer of the Year’ in 2015, and Sanctuary was in the Shortlist for ‘Album of the Year’ in 2018. His debut album Wide Open was voted 9th out of ’50 Top Scottish Albums of 2013′ in the Sunday Herald.

Timetable for the Week:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: Classes from 9:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday: Earlier finish 9:30am – 3:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 12:30pm