Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the commonly asked questions about the band: I'm an experienced Piper (or Drummer), how do I go about joining the band? Please send an email to our Pipe Major at this address: join@grpd.us. You may also come by one of our weekly Grade V or Grade III practices. For the schedule and location, please visit the About section of this website. I am interested in learning to play the Bagpipes (or Drums), who do I contact for lessons? We offer both group and private lessons. We have a number of experienced instructors available to fit any schedule. Please visit our Lessons page for details and schedule. I am already a bagpipe student taking private or group lessons. How do I know if I am ready to start attending band practices? We require that students be able to play the band's basic repertoire on the practice chanter from memory. Students may download a copy of that portion of our repertoire HERE. Be sure that your private instructor has determined that you are playing these tunes correctly, and with a metronome. Once you are comfortable with these tunes, please contact our Pipe Major and arrange a time to come out to practice. You may email the Pipe Major at this address: join@grpd.us How long does it take to learn to play the bagpipes? It normally takes about a year of regularly scheduled lessons, hard work, and commitment to learn to play the bagpipes correctly. It's not easy, but it's very rewarding, not to mention it's a beautiful instrument. Is it possible to teach myself to play the bagpipes properly using a book and/or a video? No. How much does a set of bagpipes cost, and where should I buy them? Do NOT purchase a set of bagpipes without talking to a senior member of our band first. There is a broad range of prices and quality, and we don't want you to waste your money by making a wrong decision. If you're a beginner, all you will need for now is a "Practice Chanter". We would suggest a "Gibson Long Practice Chanter", found at many of the online retailer websites.