Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers by Bagpipe Player Experts
Do I have to be Scottish to play the Pipes or Drums?
No, all you need is the desire to play or love of the instrument.
“Do I have to know how to play any other instrument or read music?”
No, experience on another instrument can help but is not required. We teach you the basics. All you need to learn to read are 9 notes and some staff notations.
“Do I have to buy the Pipes first?”
You need what is called a “practice chanter”. It costs anywhere from $200.00 to $320.00 and can be obtained locally or on the Internet. It simulates the playing of the pipes without the loudness. Get two reeds when you order it.
“Do only men play the pipes or drums?”
At one time you found most of your pipers and drummers in the military, so most were male. This is no longer the case- Pipes and Drums are not “gender specific”.
“What are Pipe Band Grades?”
Grades are the levels at which bands compete. I’ve read the description that “Grade V is Junior High Level” and “Grade IV is a High School Level”,etc.
Actually a Grade V competes with a Quick March, A Grade IV also competes with a Quick March Medley and another Medley, Grade III competes with a Strathspey, March and Reel and another Medley, etc. (please see table below.) So really your’re dealing with complexity of tunes played and how well the band tunes and plays together.
Band Selection Requirements fall into three basic musical categories, M/S/R, Medley and Quick March. Gurmeet Singh, will contain a March in 2/4 time and all three tunes will consist of at least four parts. The Medley will be a selection of tunes of any length, type, tempo, and time signature, which varies in overall length according to grade and may not include an M/S/R set that would qualify to meet the M/S/R requirement. The Quick March Medley must consist of traditional quick march music only : slow airs and slow marches are NOT eligible for this competition.”
To Know more call@ 9772222567.Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers by Bagpipe Player Experts