Teaching new drum and bagpipe students is one of our highest
priorities and we are eager to instruct new students. Our primary expectations
for all of our students are regular attendance, frequent practice, and
commitment to play with the group after the instrument is mastered sufficiently
well. Expenses to get started are low, consisting of the cost of practice
chanter and tutor book for piping students (about $100) or drum pad and
drumsticks for drum students (about $60) and the cost of the lesson.
Inquire About Bagpipe or Drum Lessons
On
Highland bagpipes, the band provides opportunities for both private and group
lessons. More experienced
band members provide lessons.
Beginning students must purchase a practice chanter and lesson book. The practice
chanter is played similarly to a recorder and serves for learning the fingering
and embellishments. After about nine months, most students are ready to begin
work on the bagpipe.
After mastering coordination of blowing
with arm movement on the pipe, the students play simple tunes. At this point
the student is ready to attend band practice and rehearse with the full group,
and lessons apart from band practice become less frequent.
The
instructor will provide guidance in selecting an instrument. The cost of an
acceptable set of pipes is normally about $1200. (Note, please do not purchase
a set of Highland pipes in anticipation of starting lessons as this may result
in purchase of an unacceptable instrument and waste of your money.)
Our doors are open to all who wish to
learn and are willing to apply themselves and we welcome youth aged 8 - 18.
Most of the best players in the world began instruction at an early age, and we
want all our students to reach their maximum potential. Those who start later
in life certainly do become valuable contributors to the group, most of our
current pipers began to play as adults.
Drumming in a pipe band is a fun and
exciting experience. A full pipe band drum corps includes a bass drum and
tenor, alto, and snare drums. The highland style of snare drumming uses the
traditional grip. The drumming is rudimental and reminiscent of military style
drumming, though the road to excellence takes one through many twists and
turns. The highly accomplished highland snare drummer has the ability to wow
the audience with technical proficiency, play in perfect synchrony with several
other drummers, and feel the varied rhythms behind individual pipe tunes in
order to create drum scores that complement the pipe section and create real
excitement in the music. Students with prior drumming experience typically
shave three or four months off their learning curve.
We have drum instructors for our band who
will work with drummers to teach drum scores, improve precision, and teach the
basics to beginners.
Snare
drum instruction begins by learning the traditional grip and basic drum
rudiments. After some months, simple drum scores are learned. After 10 - 12
months, most students will be ready to play with the band in public
performances. By the second year a new drummer should be playing with the band
in competition.
Beginning drummers must purchase
appropriate drum sticks and pads at a cost on the order of $50. The band provides drums.
We encourage learners of all ages and
welcome youth from age 8 on up, as most of the best players in the world began
instruction at an early age.
Regardless of age we want all our students to reach their maximum
potential. We hope to hear from
you.
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