David Perkins

Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle, Low Whistle

David strives to understand each students needs and goals, as well as their past experiences, to develop a custom learning experience. “The uilleann pipes are a very difficult and demanding instrument. But like any instrument, the right approach, the right support, and the right instruction will guarantee success.

"With 20 years of Scottish and Irish piping, and traditional music experience, I teach the tin whistle from a piper’s perspective, rather than a traditional whistle or flute approach. Many whistle and flute players strive to capture the rhythmic drive and ornamentation of uilleann piping—techniques like crans, finger bounces, and staccato phrasing. These stylistic elements form the foundation of how I both play and teach the whistle. I also view the tin whistle as an excellent entry point to the uilleann pipes. It allows players to build a solid repertoire and begin exploring key piping techniques, helping future pipers feel more confident and musically grounded as they transition to the pipes.”

David currently plays with the band, The Minstrels, along with his girlfriend (and bodhran player) Dominique. He considers Planxty's piper, Liam O'Flynn, as “a pinnacle of all that is good and glorious in piping and Irish music.”

Specialties:  History, instrument maintenance

Levels: Total beginner through intermediate

Ages: Teens through adults

Rates: $45 for 30 min, $55 for 45 min, $65 for one hour

Availability: Wed eve and Sat in-person | Tue, Thu, Fri eves online

Online/In-Person: Both

When were you first introduced to music and what got you “hooked”?

I grew up in a small rural town in Illinois that had no culture to speak of. The music teachers I had access to were terrible and I failed at several instruments as a kid. I began playing Scottish bagpipes in college, and it was the community that got me hooked. My first pipe band was like a second family. Switching to Irish pipes 12 years later, I find the same kind of community keeps driving me to play this insane instrument.

What is one of your most memorable experiences as a performer?

While with the NYU pipe band, I performed at Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and Radio City Music Hall for several NYU graduation ceremonies. Also, playing in the freezing cold while Orthodox Greeks dived into an even colder Hudson River to retrieve a floating cross... that was wild.

Do you have any good practice tips for music students or musicians in general?

Consistency and deliberate practice is the key to progress. Play 5-10 minutes a day, every day, each time with specific goals in mind. Don't overload yourself by playing too much at once, then not playing for several days. Don't just play aimlessly without thinking about what you're doing. That's what sessions are for.

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