The Skirling Questions: Your Bagpipe Band FAQ Guide
The stirring sound of the bagpipes can add a touch of majesty to any event, from weddings and graduations to cultural celebrations. But if you’re considering hiring a bagpipe band, you might have some questions. Here’s a guide to some of the most frequently asked questions about bagpipe bands:
Bagpiper Band Frequently Asked Questions, Bagpiper band FAQs
About the Music
What kind of music do bagpipe bands play? While bagpipes are most associated with Scotland, bagpipe bands play a wide range of music, including traditional tunes, military marches, and even modern pop songs (arranged for bagpipes, of course!).
Can you choose the playlist? Absolutely! Most bands will work with you to create a customized setlist that reflects the theme of your event and your preferences.
Are the bagpipes too loud for indoors?
Bagpipes are designed to be heard outdoors, but experienced bands know how to adjust their volume for intimate settings.
Booking and Logistics:
How much does it cost to hire a bagpipe band?
Prices vary depending on the band’s experience, location, and the duration of the performance. Be sure to get quotes from several bands to find the best fit for your budget.
How far in advance should I book a bagpipe band?
Popular bands can book up quickly, especially during peak wedding season (spring and summer). It’s best to inquire at least 3-6 months in advance.
What do the bagpipers wear?
Traditionally, bagpipe bands wear kilts and military-style jackets. Some bands may have variations on this traditional uniform, but they will always maintain a professional appearance.
Learning More Can I request a specific song?
While bands might not be able to play every song imaginable due to the limitations of the instrument, they’re often happy to learn a special request for an additional fee. Discuss your options with the bandleader.
Is it okay to make requests during the performance?
It’s best to discuss your entire music wishlist beforehand. Bands typically have a set performance schedule and may not be able to accommodate unplanned requests.
Where can I learn more about bagpipes and bagpipe music?
The internet is a wealth of information! Search for videos and articles about bagpipes, or attend a local piping competition or cultural event to experience them firsthand.
By answering these common questions, we hope you feel more informed about hiring a bagpipe band for your next event. The rich history and rousing music of the bagpipes can add a unique and unforgettable touch to your special occasion.
Do bands ever try to match both drones and chanters?
Many of the considerations mentioned above for matched chanters also apply to drones. However, matching drones has usually been considered less important than matching chanters. A few bands have tried standardizing on a single make of drones as well as chanters,
but the vast majority (including most of the top-level bands) make no attempt to standardize on a particular brand of drones. In similar ways, the drones are less problematic because they only play a constant chord.
How do you learn to play the bagpipe?
The easiest way to learn to play the bagpipe is to start out on the practice chanter, an instrument that looks much like a recorder.
Now you can learn the fingerings and embellishments without having to thinking twice about keeping the bag going steadily, which is a considerable distraction at first. It also means that you don’t have to make a big outlay on a pipe immediately. Bagpiper Pipe Band Service Chennai is pure exhilaration.
Good practice chanters cost from about $45 to about $150, though there is little advantage in buying one that costs more than about $75. Pipers went on to use the practice chanter all the times at their career, to do fingering exercises and to learn new tunes. You can purchase a practice chanter at any of the bagpipe Band supply stores.
Do I need anything besides a practice chanter?
A good tutor book is very helpful. I find Sandy Jones’ “Beginning the Bagpipe” to be one of the best available, and is the one that we use in the classes; Seumas MacNeill’s “College of Piping” tutor book is also good. A metronome is also very useful, especially if you don’t have much prior musical experience. A portable tape recorder is also very helpful.
Can I teach myself to play the bagpipe?
This is not recommended. Many of the bagpiper band playing techniques used are unique to the pipes, and involve some fairly deeply intricate finger work which few beginners find very difficult to make familiar to them, even if they buy a tutor book and tape.
and again, if you ever want to play with a band, proper technique is a must so that you are able to play with the other pipers. It’s much simpler to learn it correctly firstly than it is to go back and fix later!
I can already play various instruments; shouldn’t I be able to pick up the pipe on my own?
Again Read the answer to previous question. Because so many of the techniques are uniquely similar to the pipe, a very few beginners are able to catch up an adequate level of play on their own, even if they have a prior musical experience.
There are, of course, a very few advantages are there to knowing other musical instruments as well (or other musical experience, such as choral): and it might help you further more, like reading music, learning to keep proper time with other players or singers, listening for tuning, and so on. So the more you work on it, the more you will find easier.
Where can I get lessons on the bagpipe?
Most of the pipe bands provide different kind of teaching programs for the students who wish to learn bagpiper band. If you don’t know of a pipe band in your area, you can look at the lists of pipe bands given on our links page to better understand the way they teach the bagpipers and drums as well.. We hold regular classes in the area of Jaipur, and welcome anyone who is interested in learning the bagpipers.
If you are not interested in playing with a bagpiper band, it can still be sensible to contact a local bagpiper band to ask about recommendations for teachers. Even if you don’t suppose you will ever want to play with a bagpiper band, most bands are quite happy to refer you to a private instructor.
How much time does it take to learn to play the bagpipe?
It depends on how perfectly you want to play it! Usually, most beginners require a minimum period of 6 months on the practice chanter before they start to move onto the full bagpipe; the more the better! Once you move onto the bagpipe, it usually takes a few more months before you reach a satisfactory playing level on some of the easier tunes. Some of the facts that can affect you is that how much time it will take an individual to learn to play include:
Age: Few starters are younger than about 9 have large enough hands to play the chanter. Mostly Teenagers will make the fastest advancements, with young adults sometimes not too far behind. Older adults tend to progress a little slowly but even then there are exceptions.
Previous musical experience: Always a big benefit, even if you just know how to read music. Woodwind players may find that they have to unlearn some old habits which may hinder their progress in advancement to learn it, when playing the pipe, though their previous experience is still helpful.
Motivation: Bagpiper Pipe Band Service is the more you practice, the more you feel motivated in progress,
you will have more perfection with the passage of the time
Instruction: Proper instructions will prevent the student from making mistakes and repeating them again and again so, bad habits must be unlearned.
Aptitude: As in most regions and states, usually people just seem to learn it on quickly than others.
How do you move from the practice chanter to the full pipe?
Most students do not move directly from a practice chanter to the full pipe band. Even if it’s only a pipe
with the drones stopped up, most of the bagpiper learning students find it better to move onto the full pipe gradually.
Stopping up the drones makes it mostly easier to keep the pipe going at the start.
Usually a practice chanter is used in the Bagpipe instead of a pipe chanter (this is usually named a “goose”), or a “practice pipe” could be used. These are similar to a “goose” but do not have the full drones, so that a full pipe still should be obtained. Once the learner is comfortable playing just the pipe chanter, then the drones are included one at a time until you’re playing the full pipe.
Do you have to be male or from a specific country such as Scottish or Irish to learn and play the bagpipe?
No. The Bag Pipes are played extensively across the globe and almost every country of the world and that too, by the people of all religions and all ages and all sorts of backgrounds.
Countries as diverse as Germany, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, India, and China all have bagpiper bands playing like, Highland pipes, more or less with adaptations of their own music as well as traditional pipe musical extravaganza.
The only plus that you will get is when you are Scottish or Irish than you are a little more familiar familiar with some of the musical styles used on the bagpipes before learning this specific instrument.
Likewise, many women are quite accomplished bagpiper band performance players. What people tend to think is that women can’t play the bagpiper. This is just a myth. We have trained many female artists who are very well versed with the bagpiper band playing.
Doesn’t this bagpipe take a lot of air? It looks like it must be a lot of tedious work!
It’s all in how they make up their minds do they believe it is difficult, it is and if they believe it is easy. you take the charge and tell them it is far more easier to learn
It can be , and it can be very easy on the other hand. I’ve seen 16-year-old girls and 75-year-old grandmothers playing the Highland pipe band with the same efficiency and same passion. Very easily they adapted to this and started making melodious tunes with bagpiper band.
The problem isn’t in the physical effort involved, but it is in your mind, how you perceive it. Do you take it seriously or do you take it very casually.
Learning on as how to set up the pipe for the playing strength and learning the coordination of blowing and squeezing at the same time to keep the tone simply steady and make it mellifluous. This is a little like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time; it takes a lot of practice at the start to get the grip of it.
It also uses some muscles which most people are not accustomed to using much. Fortunately most of the people, who aren’t severely disabled can surely and steadily learn it with practice. The main difficulty with learning the pipes isn’t with the physical effort required but with the fingering technique, which you learn on the practice chanter.
General Questions About Bagpipe Bands Pipe Band Quiz Questions
What Instruments do you play in a Pipe Band?
The instruments usually and mostly played in a Pipe Band are Bagpipes, Side Drums, Tenor Drums, and Bass Drums.
Most of the times, there are about twice as many Pipers as Drummers; usually, a typical band might have 12 Pipers,
4 Side Drummers, 2 Tenor Drummers, and 1 Bass Drummer.
Why do you guys march so slowly?
The traditional Pipe Band marching tempo is about 80-88 beats per minute. This is taken from some of the older military bands such as the Fife and Drum Corps which also march at this tempo. In the ancient times just like 18th and early 19th centuries, roads were not in as good shape as they are today and faster marching tempos were usually not practical.
The music has been adapted to this older tempo and it is mostly too complex to be played properly at what is nowadays considered to be a typical marching tempo, which ranges from about 100-120 beats per minute. If you ever happen to visit some place like Colonial Williamsburg you will listen to the Fifes and Drums playing at tempos very similar to those of a Pipe Band. But Pipe Bands do play at faster tempos as well, when playing dance music.
Why do the drummers in some bands wear checked hats and the pipers wear plain?
In some regiments of the British Army, the Bagpipers used to be personal employees of
the Commander of the Regiment rather than the Crown, while the Drummers were always soldiers employed by the Crown.
The soldiers employed by the Crown use to wear the checked (more properly called “diced”) hats.
Some military and even civilian bands maintained this distinction long after it had any basis in reality, though the practice is now dying out.
Why do you see Drummers wearing a leopard skin?
This is likewise an old British Army tradition. Strictly speaking, the privilege of wearing the leopard skin was granted to specific Army regiments as a regimental honor for meritorious service, usually in areas of Africa. Because of it, the use of the leopard skin in civilian bands is in somewhat had a peculiar and bad taste.
(Note that modern bands usually do not use real leopard skins but imitations, because of the endangered species acts enforced by the government).
Are there different levels of pipe bands?
Pipe bands usually compete against each other other contests. These contests are offered under the auspices of the local Pipe Band Association, and the exact rules differ between each Association.
In most of the countries of the world, the Associations are national, but in the United States and Canada they are regional. In most of the world, there are 4 levels of pipe bands, from Grade 1 (the highest level) to Grade 4.
General Questions About Bagpipes
What do you call those things?
The most populat name for the instrument is a Pipe or a Bagpipe. You can specify a peculiar type of pipe by calling it a “Indian Bagpipe” or a “Punjabi Pipe”, for example. Some pipers will use the plural name of the instruments to refer to a single instrument.
(pipes or bagpipes or a set of pipes whichever is easy to remember or easy to use by popularity ), which is also considered acceptable. Some of the other names you sometimes hear tend to annoy modern pipers, especially if they include references to a “stand” of pipes.
What kind of instrument is a Bagpipe?
The Bagpipe belongs to the woodwind family. A bagpipe consists of a bag, a “chanter” which carries the melody, and usually one or more “drones” which play a chord. There is also some way to fill the bag, either with a “blowpipe” which allows the piper to fill the bag by blowing into it, or with a bellows which let the bagpiper artist team player to pump in the air into the bag.
On most of the bagpipes, the chanter usually uses a double reed mostly looking alike like to an oboe or bassoon reed, and the drones each use one reeds which are concerned to those used in a clarinet or saxophone. A few kinds of bagpipe use double reeds for both the chanter and the drones. Each drone uses a separate reed.
What is the material this bag is made from?
There are different kinds of bags used by pipers. The mostly one traditional bag is manufactured from sheepskin, but other kind of bags might include “elkhide” (a variety of cowhide) and synthetic materials such as Gore-tex.
Are there different types of Bagpipes available in the country?
There is a very wide range of different types of pipes being played across the globe. The most famous and the popular is usually known as the Highland BagPipe or the Irish War Pipe, or seldom it is as just the Great Pipe (Piob Mhor in Gaelic).
Various other types of pipes belongs to Britain and Ireland which include the Scottish Small Pipes, the Irish Uilleann or Union Pipes, and the Northumbrian Pipes.
Nearly all cultures in basically and traditionally Europe and the Middle East have a very pure and traditional native bagpipe, although some have nearly died out. For example, the Spanish people usually play a kind of bagpipe which they traditionally call a Gaita, and the Italians usually have a pipe called a Zampogna.
The different types of pipe usually have different types and quantity of drones and mostly use different note fingerings on to the chanter.
Such as the Northumbrian and the Uilleann pipe, which have a very big and large number of keys on the chanter; others have few or none keys on the chanter. And this makes a whole lot of difference. A few Bagpipes to name, such as the Uilleann pipe, even have simple valves (“regulators”) on some of the drones to allow the piper to alter the chord of the drones while playing.
Where were the Bagpipes first invented?
Nobody really knows actually. But Now we are enjoying it in India as well as most of the bagpiper band play a vital role in entertainment everywhere. The ancestral instrument mainly comes from one of the most ancient Mediterranean civilizations, probably before 100 BC, and it was carried throughout the globe mainly in Europe by the Romans.
The earliest examples consist of just the “chanter” portion, possibly with a companion “drone” tube, which was mostly played by the technique of “circular breathing” to maintain a constant tone to let the listener enjoy the melodious tunes. In the ancient times, some unknown person got the idea that this could be made easier by adjoining the chanter to a bag with a blowpipe.
Various forms of bagpipes were played throughout Europe during the times of Middle Ages, until modern orchestral instruments started to displace some older traditional instruments about the time of the new revolutions. However the Bagpipe usually continued to be played in most of the rural areas and more isolated parts from then to now this day.
Can you make them play any louder or softer?
No, sorry. Most of the pipes, including the Highland pipe, have no other way to be played at various volumes without going away off-pitch. A Bagpiper may set up the Bagpipe beforehand to accommodate it with the location, but at that moment, you are not able to change the volume while you’re playing the bagpipers.
This, along with the fact that the bag produces a continuous melodious stream of air, produces a need to provide more emphasis on some notes than others at that time, and to separate different notes of the same pitch. Because it ultimately make the whole tunes melodious while playing and the audience listeners enjoy it.
Most such effects (including “staccato” effects) are produced by fingering fine techniques, which traditionally vary between the different kinds of pipes. The exception to this is the Uilleann pipe, which let the bagpiper player close off all of the holes in the chanter so that the chanter produces no sound at that moment. Hence makes the whole tune worth listening. All other Bagpipes rely completely on “grace notes” or similar techniques to separate notes and provide emphasis.
What type of pipe does a pipe band play?
Pipe bands usually play the so-called “Highland” or “Irish War” pipe; but most other pipes are played only by soloists. A few bands in Ireland play the “Brian Boru” bagpipe, which is a adapted version of the Great Pipe that adds keys to extend its complete range; and some bands in Brittanny in France play the French Biniou pipe with Bombards, which are shawm-like instruments. That is also very popular there till now.
The Highland Bagpipe
What is a Highland Bagpipe?
The Highland Bagpipe is the most popular and the most familiar kind of bagpipe. It has 3 drones, 2 tenor drones each tuned one octave below the chanter, and one bass drone tuned two octaves below the chanter. The drones on the Highland pipe have no way for adjusting the pitch while playing the tunes thus make it different from that of other bagpipers, so they play a single background chord usually it has some very vital effect on the audience and listeners really enjoy it.
Often, scale on chanter is made to adjust to feel it a mixture this constant chord. Its a mouth-blown pipe: the bagpiper band player blows into the bag through a blowpipe to supply the air into it. A valve in the blowpipe retain the air from escaping.
What is the history of the Highland Pipe?
In Ancient time the Highland Bagpipe was played by the Scottish army (and, later, Scottish regiments in the British army. It was also used to played for dances and parties by both soldiers or so called jawans and civilians. The Irish War BagPipe was basically and traditionally originally is a similar instrument but had only two drones, a single tenor and a bass. And that is the major difference for other bands herein.
In present times,, the use of the two-drone pipe has nearly vanished and nowadays the terms “Highland Pipe” and “Irish War Pipe” are used interchangeably to understand to the three-drone Great Pipe. Like the Highland pipe, the Irish War Pipe became similar to the rest of the world because of its use in the British Army.
How much do those things cost?
Well, well, well. You may pay anywhere from around $1050 up to over $8000 for a new bagpiper. The price depends upon the manufacturer and the amount of ornamentation. Most of the expensive bagpipe models are heavily ornamented with a lot of silver and so forth; usually it does not have any effect on the tone, and the melody never fade away or makes any difference.
It’s purely for the show. Some very fine instruments priced at the lower end of the scale, and you can often get a bargain on a second hand pipe. You may see new bagpipes available in the market in the price bracket of $1500; actually these are second grade instruments that are not worth purchasing, mainly if you’re a novice bagpiper player don’t know what to do to deal with setup problems.
Usually a good used pipe becomes available which is worth purchasing for that price or less, especially if it has only cosmetic damage that does not affect the tone or play ability of the instrument. This is most of the time a better deal than trying to get by with a cheaper poor instrument.
What are the names of some good manufacturers of Highland Pipes?
Well, well, well, this can cause a great deal of controversy even between top pipers. Some of the most widely honoured names of older pipe makers include MacDougall, Henderson, Glen, Starck, Robertson, and Lawrie.
Most of these companies are still in the bagpipe making business. Some of the most respected modern makers include Naill, MacLellan, Kron, and MacCallum. Many other makers also make good instruments, so this list should not be considered complete and can be considered only for the reference purpose only.
Also, many good pipers find that some of the makers on this list would not be in their top choices If you are unable to decide as to which bagpipe you like, you should have a discussion with your choice with someone you know have deep knowledge of bagpipers and drums and is your trustworthy and don’t forget to listening to a variety of instruments before purchasing them.
Are pipe makers equally noted for their drones and chanters?
In that case, usually it can be said,, no. A few makers such as Naill are widely known as both fine drone and chanter makers; others in case, such as Henderson and Lawrie, are noted mainly for their drones only; and others, such names as Sinclair, primarily famous and popular for their chanters.
Now on the same track, it is easier to find a pipe whose chanter and drones are made by different makers, or to find that a piper has more than one chanter to use in a single pipe.
What is meant by “matched chanters?”
In a bagpipe band, it is very common to have all of the pipers play the same make and model of chanter. There are many reasons for this:
Mostly, different makers of brands of chanters tend to tune them at a little different pitches.
Many brands of chanters respond differently to different reeds. So it is advisable to use a single maker of chanter which makes it easier to select reeds for the members of the band.
Often a particular combination of chanter and reed will have particular notes that tend to be sharp or flat. Using matched chanters often makes it easier as it far more easier to know how to adjust each chanter to bring it into perfect tune.
These are both Bellows blown Small pipes. You will find that the volume of the two is similar, but there are some major differences. The main difference is in the fingering system; the Northumbrian Small pipes have a ‘closed’ system, wherein you only remove one finger at a time:
In other words, to play a note you lift a finger and then before playing a second note you must first of all replace the finger for the previous note. This gives the Northumbrian Pipes a distinctly ‘bubbly’ (stacatto) sound.
The Chanter end of the Northumbrian Small pipes is closed off, so that when all fingers are down there is silence. The chanter of all of the other bellows pipes, including the Scottish Small pipes, is open ended so that when all fingers are down there is always a note playing.
The Scottish Small pipes fingering system is based upon exactly the same fingering as that employed for playing the Great Highland Bagpipe, i.e. it is a ‘half open’ system whereby combinations of several fingers are lifted to play the notes.
This means that if you already play the Great Highland Bagpipe the main difference that you will encounter in playing the Scottish Small pipes is in using the bellows; these are attached to the waist by a belt and attached to the arm with an arm strap attached to the upper bellows plate (paddle).
*Please note. The chanter of the Irish (Uilleann) Pipes if played with the chanter on the knee will also be silent when all fingers are down. These pipes also use a ‘half-open’ fingering system.
The tonal quality of different makes of chanters can vary, and matched chanters can make for a more “unified” band sound.
These are some of the General Questions About Bagpipe Bands Pipe Band Quiz Questions If you want to Hire Bagpiper Band with us Call 9772222567.
Frequently Asked Questions :
Bagpiper Band Frequently Asked Questions
The Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team
- Where does the Kings Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team practice?
-ground - How does one become a member of the Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team,?
-Interested players should please contact the Pipe Major.
Start coming to band practice regularly & obtain the music.
Learn the music.
Bagpiper Band FAQs:
At this point, the Pipe Major or Drum Sergeant will ask the player to participate when appropriate. When the Pipe Major or Drum Sergeant believes the candidate is skilled enough to contribute to the band, they will be given an application for membership. The application must then be passed by both the board and the general membership.
- Does the Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team, provide lessons for beginners at their band practice?
- Yes. The band has a student program that provides group lessons. The student program acts as a feeder for competition band, which in turn feeds the competition band.
- What grade does the band compete in?
- The band is made up of two competition bands, one competing in Grade III and the other in Grade IV.
Bagpiper Band Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the tartan worn by the Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team?
-The New Uniform Style. - When was the Kings Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team formed?
-The band was incorporated in 1970. - How many members are in the band? What is the make-up of the band?
-The band currently has 8 uniformed and competing members on its roster. The band is composed of:
Pipers
Snare Drummers
Flourishing Tenor Drummers
Rhythm Tenor Drummers
Bass Drummers
Drum Majors
Tags:
Bagpiper Band Frequently Asked Questions, Bagpiper band FAQs, Common questions about bagpipe bands, Bagpiper band inquiries, Frequently asked questions on bagpipe ensembles, Exploring bagpiper band details, Bagpiper band information queries, Understanding bagpipe band basics, Bagpipe band inquiries answered, Clarifying bagpiper band doubts, Bagpipe band commonly asked questions, Insight into bagpiper band queries, FAQ guide for bagpipe bands, Bagpiper band information hub, Unveiling bagpiper band mysteries,
