Learn to Play the Bagpipes with Individualized, One-on-One Instruction
I offer instruction in the Highland Bagpipes at my studio in Woodstock GA. I have prime time slots available, both daytime and evening. I welcome you to come for an introductory meeting to get your questions answered and to prepare you for the journey you are about to embark on. My studio is conveniently located just off Hwy 92, between I-575 and Main St in Woodstock, Cherokee County. I am about 18 minutes away from the junction of I-75 and I-285, and about 8 minutes from Town Center Mall in Kennesaw.
Contact me for more information or to schedule an introductory meeting.
Who Should Learn the Bagpipes?
Everyone!
My youngest student started at age 8, my oldest student is 76. In the (bad) old days, pipers were men – not any more. Women are welcome in the modern piping world and encouraged to play. A Scottish or Irish heritage is a strong motivator to pick up the pipes, but certainly not a requirement. I know or have met pipers who are German, Asian, African American; blind, autistic, born with nine fingers; Young, old, skinny, um… not so skinny! Many pipers have no previous musical experience. All that is needed is the desire to play this magical instrument!
You need no musical experience to learn, although it will take a little extra time to cover the basics. I try to be a patient and encouraging instructor, and help you get over each hurdle.
What Do I Need to Get Started?
Just the basics – A practice chanter and a book.
Fortunately, you don’t need to invest in a fine (read, expensive) instrument to begin learning. The first step is to acquire a ‘practice chanter’, which is a tool we use to learn the intricate fingering patterns we use in Scottish piping. Through my shop HighCountryScottish.com, I can provide a chanter and book that you will use for exercises and music.
Weekly lessons of 45 minutes are recommended to start so that bad habits or incorrect techniques don’t get ingrained between sessions. Depending on your particular effort and abilities, you can be ready to purchase pipes in 8 – 16 months. This allows time to be sure it’s something you want to continue, and to research the various makes and models to determine which instrument would be best for you. Expect to pay $1,000+ for a good quality instrument. PLEASE don’t buy bagpipes on eBay or from an unknown source. These instruments are usually made of inferior materials in third world countries and will NEVER make music. You will be purchasing an ongoing headache – and an expensive wall hanging.