Bagpipe and Drumming Lessons
Learn the bagpipes or drums with us for free! The Dundee Scottish Pipe Band (like many pipe bands around the world) offers free bagpiping and drumming lessons to students interested in joining the band.
If you are interested in bagpipe lessons or drum lessons in the Chicago area, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us!
We typically start with our beginning students at 5:45pm. Lessons end at 7:00pm, when we start full band rehearsal.
You’ll find our drummers at the VFW – West Dundee and our pipers at St James Episcopal Church in West Dundee – most Tuesday evenings. We are not there the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Come give it a try! Please contact us in advance of attending, so that we can be sure to have an instructor ready for you.
Q: How long does it take to learn to play the bagpipes?
A: It depends on your time and dedication. We start you with a “practice chanter”, so we are able to teach you the finger work basics and a few simple tunes. Progressing to the pipes, we teach you the blowing/squeezing technique. Bit by bit and with routine practice, a typical person can learn to blow some tunes on pipes in about 6 months to a year. Many people take 2 years or so. No judgement here! We just like to see progress week to week, and we hope to attract players with the drive to practice and play their best, no matter what level they are at.
Q: What would I need to get started on pipes or drums?
A: When getting started, you do not buy the whole instrument. You just need a practice chanter (piper) or a practice pad and sticks (drummer). More info on these is below. Practice chanters and pads are tools pipers and drummers will continue to learn on, ad infinitum, and either practice instrument is around $100. Our band typically has practice chanters for sale at cost. Or, to shop on your own and compare options, Henderson’s is a good place to shop for pipe chanters and pipe and drum accessories. (Please tell them the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band sent you!)
Items for starting out
Bagpipes: Here is the practice chanter that we usually recommend: McCallum Long Poly Practice Chanter – Henderson Imports
Basically any of the McCallum practice chanters on Henderson’s page are fine, yes even the blue one (just not the one with the goose for starting out with us).
If you are particularly short in the torso, the “regular length” chanter would be more suitable.
Grab an extra practice chanter reed: Abbott Practice Chanter Reed – Henderson Imports
And here is the beginners book that we use: Logan’s Complete Tutor for the Highland Bagpipe – MacLellan – Henderson Imports
The same book may also available on Amazon. You don’t need the book to have your first lesson, but it’s a good resource.
Drums: Here is a recommended practice pad: Outlander Practice Pad – Henderson Imports
Recommended sticks: Promark Stephen Creighton Snare Sticks – White – Henderson Imports
(If any of these product links are broken, please do contact us, so we can update them.)
Q: Are bagpipes expensive?
A: Price is not an indicator of sound quality, PLEASE… speak with an experienced piper before buying your set! A nice new set is around $1,200. Again, check out the selection at Henderson’s. Our band may also have a loaner set available for our beginner students.
Q: Do I need to have previous musical experience?
A: No.
Q: How much practice does it take?
A: Like any musical instrument, what you put into it is what you get from it. We suggest starting at around 20 minutes each day, and see where you go from there.
