Summerside College of Piping offers Skype bagpipe lessons

A P.E.I.college is helping people from across North America learn the beloved bagpipe through online lessons using Skype.

James MacHattie, the director of educationatSummerside's College of Piping, has been giving online bagpipe lessons for a few years and says the demand is growing.

Fromhis office Friday, MacHattiewatchedbagpipe student Ryan Balchuk playa song from a construction trailer in Colorado.MacHattie took notes as he observedBalchuk andoffered tips and instruction.

For Balchuk, learning online is the best option for him.

"Being a construction engineer, I'm all over the place and being able to meet up weeklywith Jamesand go over things...it's been tremendous for my musical ability," he said.

Balchuk has been taking lessons from MacHattie via Skype for three years and has taken lessons from spots as odd as a hotel swimming pool.

MacHattie teaches 11 students from various locations in Canada and the U.S. He says the school hasreceived phone calls and emails from people in areas where there wasn'taccess to good instruction.

Given Balchuk's work situation, it requiresan option like the College of Piping to fill thevoid.

The online instruction is good news for the college as it helps bring in more revenue.

"A little more tuition coming in for us certainly helps to keep the doors open, and provide access for Island students," said MacHattie.

'One of the most finicky and frustrating instruments'

He says making lessons more accessible will help keep people piping.

"I think it's huge. Bagpipes can be one of the most finicky and frustrating instruments out there, so if you don't have help when you're in those moments, you don't know what to do, there is a good chance you'll give it up," said MacHattie.

The College of Piping uses social mediaand relies on word of mouthto get the message out about their bagpipe lessons via Skype. Italso offers online drum lessons.