Instruction

Instruction

Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the bagpipes, drums, or highland dancing? Then you have come to the right place! In association with Tom's band the Misty Isle Pipe Band, we offer classes in these areas.

What are the requirements? That you want to learn!

No prior musical experience is needed nor required, and anyone of any gender, race or age is welcome.

Piping Class

Pipe Major Tom will take the student from the very basics of how to hold a practice chanter all the way through to playing a full set of bagpipes. The only thing you need for this class is a practice chanter, an instrument that looks similar to a recorder. You can find chanters from $20 and up. We recommend buying the cheapest you can. There are wood and plastic chanters available, wood is generally cheaper, but you can find plastic ones for $25-$30. Plastic chanters tend to last a little bit longer. Most, if not all, chanters come with a plastic reed.

You will not need a set of bagpipes right away, as you will learn how to play the basics on the practice chanter first. Most students are on the practice chanter anywhere from 6 months to a year before being ready for pipes, so it gives you time to save up. An average set of pipes will run about $800.00

PLEASE NOTE: There are many sets of pipes available, usually at games or on Ebay for a couple of hundred dollars. Please DO NOT buy these. While the price is attractive, the pipes are usually of extremely poor quality, and most are not playable. You will end up throwing them in the trash or using them as decoration and then spending more money on a good set. When you are ready for pipes, Southern California Bagpiper can help you purchase a good quality set of pipes from Scotland.

Piping Classes are held once a week in the evening. If you are interested in attending please give us a call to see which class is convenient for you.

Tuition: $20 a week, paid in one month blocks ($80 a month)

Drumming Class

The drumming class is taught by Drum Sergeant Ed Best of Misty Isle Pipe Band. Ed is a professional (highest grade) snare drummer. Ed will take the student through the fundamentals of Scottish drumming from learning how to hold the sticks to how to read music, and how to play on a snare drum. Each student will start off on a practice pad and learn the basic rudiments. In about a month the student is ready to get up on a drum and play!

The requirements for the drumming class are Scottish style snare sticks and a practice pad. Please note that Scottish sticks are different from regular sticks, they are shaped differently and have a different sound. We can help you purchase a set of sticks. Sticks are generally around $25 for a set. We offer for sale a good quality practice pad for $20 made by our drum corporal and designed to give the best possible sound and these are available at the class. If you choose to purchase a pad on your own, any music store or drum store offers them. All we ask is that you buy a flat pad with no rim on it.

Drumming classes are held every week in the evening. Private lessons are also available for snare, tenor and bass drum!

Class Tuition: $20 a week, paid in one month blocks ($80 a month)
Private Tuition: $40 a lesson for a one hour lesson.

Highland Dancing

We will soon be adding classes on highland dancing. Dates, time, requirements and tuition will soon be posted here. If you are interested in learning, please let us know!