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Want to learn
bagpipes or drums? Well you better get yourself down to one of
our practice nights quick smart!!! We've got lots of
young learners at the moment, including under-10s and up on
practice chanters and pads, and teens going on the pipes and
drums. We've also got adult learners from beginners to
intermediate.
You don't have to be Scottish, or like
Haggis, but you have to wear a
kilt!
Pipers and drummers
with previous experience (at any level) are also welcome to
join as playing members or learners.
There is no fee for tuition within
the band (although you will have to become a band member).
Uniforms and drums are provided by the band. We have some band
pipes for loan, but most pipers obtain their own pipes. We can
help with that, there is no hurry (see
below)
Practices are every
Thursday evening from 6:30pm for learners, with the main band
practice starting at 7:30pm.
Find out
more below:
Our
teaching programme
The pipe band scene
Learning
bagpipes
Learning
drums
Our
teaching programme
We
have one goal in our teaching programme: bringing learners on
to become great players of pipes and drums, whether
they ultimately stay in the band, focus on solos, or pursue
other piping and drumming opportunities.
While we progress learners briskly towards
integrating into the playing ranks of the band (because our
"parade" repertoire is set at a Grade IV level), we have an
strong emphasis on accurate learning of the fundamentals of
piping and drumming at all stages. We use personal and
band goal-setting to help learners realise their potential and take their piping and drumming
through to the highest levels.
Once learners are going on the
parade tunes, and stepping out with the band, they can start
working on the contest tunes which are more advanced. We use tutors from within and without the band.
Learners are actively mentored by band members, in addition to
receiving individual tuition.
Pipe band
scene
The pipe band scene in New Zealand (as
elsewhere) centres around the summer contest season at
Highland Games and band competitions, building up to the
National contest in early March. Christmas parades, ANZAC Day,
other community parades and an assortment of tattoos, Celtic
festivals and Burns nights are staples of the pipe band
calendar. City of Auckland Pipe Band also focuses on
concert presentations, of which we've done many over the
years. In the winter months (our "off-season") we prepare new
material and develop skills.
It's a family friendly scene, and a great way to meet all
sorts of people throughout New Zealand and abroad.
The Highland Games are always a fun day out, and have
sporting events, highland dancing, and often solo piping
contests.
Pipers
Learner pipers
start out on the practice chanter (about the size of a
recorder) for learning the basic fingerings and some basic
tunes. We can lend you a practice chanter initially, but
you will want your own if you continue (about $120). We
provide a tutor book and other materials. After about
3-9 months, you can start working on the full bagpipes,
and should be looking to get out on parades in 12-18
months. We also encourage, and actively manage, our
learners in competing in solo piping events in the wider
Auckland region (which are graded from complete novice on
practice chanter, right through to Open level
piping).
Don't rush out and
buy bagpipes just yet - there is some work to be done before
then, and you want to be careful that you get a good reliable
set (like anything else, there is some rubbish out there). You
will need some guidance on this.
Drummers
Learner
side (ie, snare) drummers start out on sticks and pads, and
after learning basic rudiments and some key settings will
start playing on drums and getting out on parade. The
timeline is similar to pipes, but will vary with each
learner. Bass section drumming (tenor drum and bass
drum) is similar as well, but with the "flourishing" movements
to learn instead of the some of the rudimentary techniques.
There is usually only one bass drummer in a band, and usually
that player has moved into the role from tenor drumming or
side drumming.
The band has sticks and
pads.
Feel free to contact
us at any time to discuss learning opportunities, or come and
see us play at one of our parades.
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