Lesson 2 — Bagpipe Half Doublings
Half doublings (sometimes called single grace notes in specific contexts) are two-note ornaments that use only one grace note above the melody note, without a corresponding lower grace note. They are sometimes the first doubling-type embellishment beginners encounter.
What Is a Half Doubling?
A half doubling consists of:
- A single grace note from above the melody note
- The melody note itself
There is no lower grace note, unlike a full doubling. Half doublings are used in specific musical contexts where a full doubling would be too heavy or where the lower grace note is impractical.
When to Use Half Doublings
Half doublings appear most often:
- At the start of a phrase, before the first note of a melody
- On notes where the lower grace note is the same as the melody note (which would produce a doubling without clear separation)
- In certain slow air passages where a lighter touch is required
Practice Exercise
Practice a half doubling on D using a High G grace note:
- Drop the left-hand thumb briefly to produce High G
- Immediately move to D finger position and sustain D
The grace note should be the same brief, percussive sound as any other grace note. Practice this slowly until the transition is smooth.
Once you are comfortable with half doublings, compare them to full doublings on the
same notes. Hearing the difference will help you understand when each is appropriate.