Canberra Celtic Pipe Band Bagpipe learners guide

Learning the Bagpipes with the Canberra Celtic Pipe Band

The Canberra Celtic Pipe Band would like to extend you a warm welcome. We hope that your time with us will be enjoyable and rewarding. The Canberra Celtic Pipe Band strives to provide the Canberra region with a responsive, community based pipe band with a fresh, innovative repertoire and talented associate performers. We provide bagpipe, drumming and Celtic dancing tuition to young people and adults at no cost apart from an annual band fee and venue hire fee. We promote Celtic culture within the Canberra region. Our aim is to achieve and maintain a high standard of individual and group performance through participation in workshops, seminars and occasional competition. As a learner you can expect to make a steady progression that will lead to you acquiring the skills to play and compete with our band.

Practice

You will need to practice at least 20-30 minutes a day, 5 days a week to keep up with the training program – this could be 10-15 minutes in the morning and 10-15 minutes in afternoon. You will not have the same tutor at every practice but all tutors will follow the same programme. If you have any problems or concerns please feel free to talk to your tutor or the Pipe Major.

You will need a tutor book (see below) and you will work through it systematically, learning the standard embellishments and tunes that the band plays as you progress.

You can expect to commence playing with the band when you are able to play three band sets to the satisfaction of the Pipe Major. Depending on age, aptitude and regular meaningful practice you can expect to be playing the bagpipes within 6 months to a year. For younger or small children this may take longer as a full size set of bagpipes can be quite a handful. Smaller sets of pipes are not recommended. However, a practice "goose" can be useful in transition phase or even for accomplished players.

Regular attendance and practice by learners is expected. Our tutors give freely of their time so, should you not be able to attend a lesson, it would be appreciated if prior notification can be given.

Required Equipment

Chanters

All pipers require a practice chanter. Like all musical instruments these come in a variety of qualities that is reflected in their pricing. The Canberra Celtic Pipe band recommends a full size poly chanter. These are a good all-round chanter and can be purchased for roughly $90. A wooden chanter is another option – these range in price from $50 to $500, and one gets what one pays for – so beware.
Bagpipes generally come with a chanter however the band generally requires that you purchase a specified chanter to ensure a consistent tone when the band performs.

Tutor books / Cd's DVD's

As a beginning student the Canberra Celtic Pipe Band will ask you will be provided with a Tutor book we have developed.

Barry Gray Sydney School of Piping has launched 2009 Millenium CD/dvd with Tutor bookwww.pipersofdistinction.comwww.sydneyschoolofpipinganddrumming.com.auThis could be complemented by personal lessons with Barry in Sydney or visits to Canberra.

A Canadian source -we would also recommend consider purchasing the John Cairns Books - series so far 6 in total

Older tutors include the Piping College Tutor Part 1 (green book). This book also comes with a CD ROM that will augment your tutoring. The green book costs about $35 if purchased through the piping college. http://www.college-of-piping.co.uk. Everyone should also consider when advanced various Standard Music books The Scots Guards Volumes 1 and 2 are classics

For more advanced beginners or ALL playersJim MacGillivray's "Rhythmic Fingerwork" book is excellent

Bagpipes

Musical instruments are not cheap. You should consider the overall cost of piping before you make a decision to learn.
Good amateur/semi-professional pipes will cost you at least $1500 and probably more likely $2000. Secondhand pipes can sometimes be purchased – however you may wish to have an experienced piper look them over. Bagpipes that are under the $1000 mark new, are probably not of sufficient quality to be played in the band and should be approached with care. Wooden insrtuments do warp and crack. Old is not always better in bagpipes!
When you feel the need to purchase pipes, discuss this with the Pipe Major and be prepared to spend a bit of serious dosh! Beware of Internet purchases - fakes and poor quality instruments abound. New purchases of a name brand are often the wisest long term choice.

Bag, reeds and other stuff

The Canberra Celtic Pipe band prefers its players to use a synthetic Ross bag with the Ross kittylitter system. This ensures your reeds stay dry and tuning issues are reduced. The band has also standardised on Omega drone reeds. Chanter reeds are provided for competing pipers. Below is a list of bits-and-bobs that you will probably need and their approximate prices. Ross bag and kitty litter system $300 Omega drone reeds $250 Band pipe chanter $220 Korg Chromatic Tuner $50 Metronome $50+ - a must for all pipers to practice with Software tuner/metronome www.pitchpipetuner.com $60 Maintenance kits $50-100

Maintenance

Like all other instruments, bagpipes require constant maintenance so you will need to spend a bit of time and money on maintenance. As part of the tutoring, we will teach you how to maintain our pipes.

Uniform

Members of the Canberra Celtic Pipe band are supplied with most of their uniforms depending on availability when ready to perform with the band. Our full uniform can cost about $1000 and long term members often purchase some items -discuss with Quartermaster or Pipe Major

On-line Lessons

Broadband and IT is allowing major changes in the way lessons can be given - it is now possible to get on-line lessons with world experts e.g. National College of Piping www.thepipingcentre.co.uk and Jori Chisholm email jori@bagpipelessons.com or bagpipelessons.com

Canberra Piper's Society commenced in 2006 and The aim of the Society is to bring pipers and piping enthusiasts together, away from the competition platform, and enjoy playing and listening to piping in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. No matter what your level of piping, EVERYONE IS WELCOME and ENCOURAGED TO PLAY - planned Canberra Workshop 24th to 26 th September at Burns Club - international Tutors and Recital Saturday night

Updated 23/3/2010

Latest News

Pipemajor Email 17/7/2010 - click
What is on soon......
Wednesday 8th September - practice @ usual 5.30 pm Learners & 6.30 pm Band


Turning Wave Festival in Gundagai on Sunday 19th September - be there 11am, PArade 1pm

Watch the World Pipe Band Championships 14/8/2010 http://www.theworlds.co.uk

2010 photos

Practice MP3 files - click here
New basic 2/4, 4/4 and 6/8 mp3 download plus the medleys - hyperlinks in the word document downlaod

Boorowa Irish Woolfest Sunday 3rd October
Lead parade at 11:00 + dancers

Canberra Pipers Club Workshop & Recital 3rd annual
24th to 26th September at Burns Club 2010 - international Tutors and Recital Saturday night - download pdf here or visit website canberracollegepipesdrums.org

Performances 2010 & NSW PBA dates - click here
Updated 21/7/2010

Illawarra Scottish Fair Band Contest, Vikings Oval, Wollongong
Saturday 16th October 2010

Castle Hill Pipe Band Competition
07th Nov 2010 - PROVISIONAL Combined Scottish Societies Band Contest, Castle Hill Showground, Showground Road, Castle Hill

The College of Piping
See Collge Piping Monthly Radio show or from Podcast on Facebook

The Piobaireachd Society
Become a member to access downloads

Irish anthem played by the Army Band of Amhrán na bhFiann
BBC Pipeline
Weekly Radio programme Saturday night UK time- can be listened on podcast in the following week

Try Our Haggis Recipe
Exact proportions up to the cook - if in doubt add more Drambuie to recipe or your glass