When I first started learning to play the pipes I always wondered what a hornpipe was.  I thought it was a different instrument and that bummed me out because I liked the sound of the Hornpipe tunes.  I soon discovered that it isn't a different instrument, it is a type of tune.

Hornpipes are similar to Jigs and Reels, they have a very snappy sound and feel to them.  I love Jigs and Reels, in fact my goal is to be able to play Jigs and Reels at speed with precision and control, this may take me years but I don't care, that is my ultimate piping goal. There will be many Marches, Slow Airs, Retreats and Strathspeys to learn along the way.  At some point in my piping lifetime I will need to tackle a Piobaireachd  (pronounced 'PeaBrock") that is a completely different music style.

OK, back on topic.  Friday my instructor started me on a new Hornpipe called "Maggie's Pancakes", it's great!  As far as I know it is a good beginner hornpipe, relatively simple and the only slight variations in the latter half of each line.  It sounds really cool too!  So I'm stoked about getting to learn a hornpipe, I didn't think I would be learning anything like this for a while so I'm extra happy about that!