Learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe
Bagpipe lessons at the SSPD cost AUD$15 per week in a group situation for 45 minutes. These are available at Vineyard on a Monday from 5.30pm - 7pm . As well as at Werai (Moss Vale) on Tuesday evenings 4pm-8pm
Individual one to one lessons are AUD$60 for a 45 minutes or 45 minute ZOOM lessons are AUD$48, and 30 minute lessons are AUD$36. . Contact us for current availably time slots.
Alternately, we have tutors who can come directly to you at your premises for a 45 minute lesson and the cost of these are AUD$88 for a one to one private lesson.
When you begin to learn the Great Highland Bagpipe you actually commence on an instrument called a ‘practice chanter’. In polypenco plastic these start at cost AUD$125. You cna purchase your practice chanter from www.berlsatrading.com.au
You can aobtain access to The MillenniumMethod online tutorial system here: app.themillenniummethod.com.au which costs US$99.
On the practice chanter you will learn scales and embellishments associated with bagpipe playing and to read music and understand note duration. You will be taken through 6 basic tunes which you will have to memorise whilst learning to tap your feet and march in time to the tunes. Once you have memorised six tunes it will be time to progress to playing a bagpipe. On the bagpipe you will learn to ‘wind’ it correctly and play the six tunes you have memorised upon it.
To reach this stage normally takes around 9 months. A basic bagpipe will cost between AUD$1,800 – AUD$2,800 depending upon how much ornamentation you desire.
To progress toward playing basic tunes within a normal time frame you would be expected to do a minimum of 30 minutes practice each day. This can be broken into 3 small sessions of 10 minutes.
Once you can play your six tunes, wind your bagpipe and march in time on the bagpipe, it will be time to think about choosing a band to join.
Once your standard progresses to a level where you are attending band practice, you will be supplied with more complex tunes to learn. Most bands, once you can play approx. 12 tunes may invite you to join their band and supply you with a uniform. To reach this level normally takes between 9 – 12 months.
Learning to play the Scottish Snare Drum
Snare Drum lessons at the SSPD cost AUD$15 per week in a group on a Monday at Vineyard between 5.30pm – 7pm. Or an individual 45 minute lesson is AUD$60. A 30 minute lesson on ZOOM is AUD$36 or a 45 minute ZOOM is AUD$48 at time that suits you and the tutor . A house call is AUD$88 where the tutor comes to you for a 45 minute lesson.
When you commence to learn the snare drum style used in the pipe band idiom, you start with a pair of drum sticks that are quite a bit larger in diameter then normal kit drum sticks.Pipe band style drum sticks cost approx. AUD$35 a pair and you will also need a practice pad and stand and these costs approx. AUD$99. ou cna purchase yours sticks and drum pad from : www.berlsatrading.com.au
On your drum pad you will learn to play your basic rudiments and exercises whilst gaining ‘finger control’. These rudiments and exercises eventually enable you to be able to play complete drum scores. This can take several months and whilst learning the rudiments and exercises you will also be taught to read drum music scores and tap your feet in-time to the music.
Once you have mastered the basic massed bands scores for 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 competently you may than be asked to attend your first band practice and commence playing the scores you have learnt on a drum.
Once attending practice you will work on perfecting your scores and learning to play “as one” with the rest of the drum corps. Playing on a drum has a very different feel to practicing on a drum pad. You will also continue to learn more difficult rudiments and drum scores which will enable you to work toward playing with a competitive band if that is your desire.
Once you’re standard progresses to a level which may see a band invite you to join them, they normally supply you with a drum, a harness and a uniform.
Learning to play the Flourishing Tenor Drum
Tenor Drum lessons at the SSPD cost AUD$15 per week in a group at Vineyard on a Monday between 5.30pm - 7pm or AUD$60 for a 30 minute individual one on one lesson Vineyard on a Monday evening, or AUD$36 for a 30 minute ZOOM at a time that suits you and the tutor.
When you commence to learn the flourishing tenor, you start with a pair of drum beaters. These costs approx. AUD$99 a pair. ou can purchase your tenor Drum Beaters from: www.berlsatrading.com.au
These beaters or drum sticks have laces attached at one end which will allow you to twirl (or swing) the stick.
Your practice lessons will consist of learning the rhythm patterns that create the pulse of the music for a pipe band. Whilst learning these rhythm patterns you are also instructed on how to perform the various basic swings that tenor drummers perform in massed band style settings. Your lessons will also include ‘mirror work’ instruction to ensure that your swinging is in a perfect position at all times.
Mastering the basic massed bands scores for 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 competently will may than see you progress to being ready to attend a band practice and to commence playing on a drum.
This normally takes around 4 – 6 months of weekly lessons with the student doing around 30 minutes a day practice at home. This practice should be broken up into two different fifteen minute sessions, one covering the memorising of the music score and the other concentrating on your flourish techniques.
Once you are attending band practices you will also be given more difficult scores and complex rhythms and flourishes to learn.
Once your standard progresses to a level which will see joining a pipe band, they would supply you with a drum and uniform.
Our principle Tenor Drum Tutor is Mr Michael Smith. Michael won the Young Australasian Tenor Drummer of the Year in 2011 and has been a previous Australian B Grade Champion and NSW A Grade Champion. In 2018 he competed with the Irish Grade 2 Mannorcunningham Pipe Band in 2019 who obtained 4th place in drumming at the World Championships.