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Question: Is it hard to learn
to play the bagpipes?
Answer: My
answer has always been that it depends on who is teaching.
Celtic Thunder has developed an easy and
fun
way of learning the bagpipes. A student with a “can do” attitude and a
little bit of time each week can easily
learn to play the bagpipes.
The Key to it all is Practice and You must Believe that you can do it.
Question: Do
I have to purchase a set of bagpipes to get started?
Answer:
No
!
Students learn on an
instrument called a practice chanter. Practice chanters are
used to learn how to
play the bagpipes
and it is an instrument that you will use to learn new tunes
on the bagpipes. In a pipe-band
setting all the
pipers sit around a table to learn new tunes and practice
together. It’s much easier to learn tunes
on the practice
chanter than it is to learn on the actual bagpipes. This is an
instrument that will always be with
you, many years
from now.
Question: What is required to start
learning to play the bagpipes?
Answer: You
will need to pre-register for one of our upcoming classes; You
can register online at this website. We can
then guide you every step of the way. To get started all
you need is a practice chanter and a tutor book. Celtic
Thunder can provide you with the information on how and where
to purchase the practice chanter.
Question: Does it cost money for the
lessons at Celtic Thunder Bagpipe School?
Answer:
No! Lessons with Celtic Thunder are FREE. All
instruction is taught by experienced Regimental Officers of
the band who want you to succeed. So I assure you that
learning to play the bagpipes with Celtic Thunder,
you’re in good hands. Lessons with private tutors can
range from $25.00 and up per hour. At Celtic Thunder
we consider bagpipe music a “Gift” and this is why our lessons
are always FREE.
Question:
What is a Regimental Officer of Celtic
Thunder?
Answer:
Regimental Officers are Experienced
Pipers and Drummers in the band. Part of their duties
are instructing
music
and making sure that you succeed and have fun doing so.
They also play important roles in band
performances. Regimental Officers are the Committed
Leaders who sacrifice much time to ensure the band is
progressing smoothly.
Question: If I take bagpipe lessons with
Celtic Thunder, will I be required to join the band?
Answer:
No!
Lessons are free
and open to anyone. Your only commitment is to yourself;
practicing and having fun
with
it. All students are treated as if they are a part of
the band from day one, whether you join or not. At
Celtic
Thunder our primary goal is not to recruit, but to share the
“Gift” of bagpipe music with you.
However, if you decide that you would like to be a member of
the band that's awesome.
Question: What if I want to learn to play
the drums?
Answer: Celtic
Thunder provides FREE instruction for pipe-band drumming.
We are very fortunate to have what we
consider to be the best pipe-band drum instruction in New
England right here in Western Massachusetts. The
drum line for Celtic Thunder is being structured to be one of
the most unique drum lines in New England.
With a “can do” attitude and a commitment to practice
you will be a part of an elite drum line.
Question: Do I have to buy my own drum ?
Answer:
No! Celtic Thunder purchases all of its drums.
You will need to purchase your drumsticks a practice pad and
a
tutor book. We can guide you on purchasing these items.
Question:
What if I can't
read music ?
Answer:
Not a problem. In fact the way we teach is; we look at
everyone coming into a new class as if they know
absolutely
nothing about bagpipes or music. Then we teach you from
scratch how to read the music and play
the
bagpipes. We do this in a very relaxed atmosphere, and
we make it fun. Just remember that just about
everyone
in your class begins on the same level.
Question: Is Celtic Thunder just a Kids
Pipe-Band ?
Answer:
No! Celtic Thunder is much more than just a Pipe-Band.
Celtic Thunder consists of the Pipes & Drums
which
is open to anyone, regardless of age. It also consists
of our Youth Pipe-Band which is limited up to 18
years
of age. And for those not interested in playing a
musical instrument we have the Celtic Thunder
Highland
Guard.
Question: What Is The
Celtic Thunder Highland Guard ?
Answer:
The Celtic Thunder Highland Guard consists of our Flag Bearers
and Kilted Rifle Drill Team which is open to
anyone,
regardless of age. The Rifle Drill team is trained not only to
drill with and flourish the rifles, but to do it
in
such a way that it blends with and compliments the actual
sound of the bagpipes and drums. Our Flag
Bearers
lead the way presenting the many flags that we pay tribute to.
Together they are the shining jewel that
tips
the band as we march into performance.
Question: I Would Like To Be a Part
Of Celtic Thunder, But Not Play An Instrument, Can I ?
Answer:
Yes, You can be a part of our unique organization without
actually playing an instrument. Celtic Thunder is
probably one of the few pipe-bands around which welcomes
anyone who wants to be a part of the band in.
There are plenty of ways to help out in a pipe-band; Behind
the scenes activity such as taking pictures and
videos for the band and much more. Celtic Thunder
consists of Great people and we do our best to keep it fun.
Question: I Play With Another
Pipe-Band, Can I also Play With Celtic Thunder ?
Answer:
Yes, Members of other pipe-bands are Welcome to come and
practice or play with Celtic Thunder. It's all
about having fun with the music. The only restriction is
that members of multiple bands can not be a
Administrative or Regimental Officer in Celtic Thunder.
All Officers of Celtic Thunder must be focused and
committed to their Officers role and duties.
If you have Questions,
Please send them to us.
Pipemajor@charter.net
Pipe-Major
Billy Dart (413) 262-3539
Contact Us
JOIN TODAY
Band Director Billy
Dart: (413) 599-1904
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