Student & Rehersal Information

    The Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band is open to people at all levels of musical training who are
    interested in piping and drumming.

    Part of the charter of our organization is to preserve the traditions of Scottish culture and Great Highland pipe band music.  One way
    we do this is by providing free introductory piping and drumming lessons for beginners.

    Where do I go to learn?

    We meet regularly, every Tuesday night, at St. John's Presbyterian Church on Plumb Lane in Reno at 6:30pm.  (Check before
    coming to make sure there hasn't been a change of location or cancellation.)  The first half-hour is set aside for students.  The
    remainder of the evening is for the band's regular rehearsal, which is usually over by 9:00pm.  Students are welcome to stay for the
    whole evening.

    Aspiring Pipers:

    What do I need to get started?

    Learning to play the bagpipe will be the most rewarding and frustrating experience of your life.

    The bagpipe is first learned on the practice chanter. The chanter is used throughout your piping career for fingering practice and to
    learn new tunes. Depending on ability and commitment, the beginner will play the practice chanter for six months to one year, or
    longer, before he/she is ready to play the bagpipes. A tutorial is also needed to guide you through the learning process.

    The practice chanter you purchase should be made of plastic/polypenco. The "standard length" is usually preferred over "full
    length". Countersunk finger holes make it easier to find the correct finger position. The chanter should come with at least one plastic
    reed. Acceptable brands of chanters include D. Naill, Dunbar, Warmac, or McCallum.

    Purchase the Sandy Jones-Beginning the Bagpipe, tutor and cassette, or, the College of Piping Book #1 and cassette.  Another
    great learning resource manual is the "How To Manual for Learning to Play The Great Highland Bagpipe" by Major Archie Cairns,
    CD of London, Ontario, Canada. This manual comes with a CD of Major Cairns playing and describing key chapters of his manual.

    How much should I expect to spend?

  • Tutor: Approximate Cost - $25.00

  • Practice Chanter:  Approximate Cost - $70.00

  • Bagpipes:  Approximate Cost: $800 - $2500


    Aspiring Drummers

    What do I need to get started?

    The first thing a drummer needs is a good sense of rhythm!

    Drums are first learned on a practice pad, which will also be used throughout your career when learning new pieces or to practice
    without driving your family crazy!  Drummers graduate to the actual drum based solely on ability - generally between six months to a
    year for students new to drumming and music in general.  A tutorial is also needed to guide you through the rudiments.  We
    recommend Doug Stronach's Pipe Band Snare Drum Tutor, volume 1 with the CD-ROM.

    The practice pad you purchase should be made specifically for pipe band drummers.  They are usually made of hard rubber.  An
    excellent combination Starter Package is available at www.hendersongroupltd.com for $75.  It includes Cameron Pro sticks, Medium
    Cameron practice pad, and Doug Stronach's Pipe Band Snare Drum Tutor vol. 1 (book and CD-ROM).  Or, you may purchase each
    item separately, but they may end up costing more when you figure in shipping, etc.  You will also need to get an electronic
    metronome, which can be  purchased at any music store.

    How much should I expect to spend?

  • Tutor:  Approximate cost - $36

  • Practice Pad:  Approximate Cost - $35

  • Drums Sticks:  Approximate Cost - $20

  • Metronome:  Approximate Cost - $30

  • Snare Drum:  The drums are owned by the pipe band and are checked out to qualifying drummers.

    Pipe Band and Bagpipe supply shops:

  • Scott's Highland Services Ltd.
  • Rocky Mountain Highland Supply

  • THE TARTAN THISTLE
    Phone: 1-888-888-9002 (for orders)
    Phone:  (360) 331-4688 (for general info& enquiries)
    Fax:      (360) 331-5856
     www.tartanthistle.com

  • Henderson's
  • Donald-Gordon's TartanTown, Ltd.

  • Everything Scottish
    Linville, NC
    (704) 733-1399

  • Scottish Shopper
    Seattle, WA
    (206) 242-1768

    Many new students prefer and benefit from supplemental private lessons.  Many of our members are available in Reno,
    Carson City and South Lake Tahoe.  Contact the individual tutors directly to ask about lesson prices and availability.  

    Private Lessons: