General FAQ
 Is there an age limit to be in the band?
No. We welcome all members regardless of age.
 		 
   

 

 

What expenses are involved?
There are no fees of any kind involved in being a member of the MCSP&D. However, you will need to buy your practice equipment, and Pipers are required to provide and maintain their own pipes. Drums and uniforms are provided by the Sheriff's Office.

If you are interested in joining us,

*PLEASE! DO NOT* buy anything until you have made contact with us, and visited us at a practice. An Instructor or the Pipe Major will discuss what is needed and resources where you can obtain them. This can be a pretty expensive hobby and you want to make sure you are getting a quality instrument and supplies.
 
   


 
 
 
What kind of time/commitment level is required?
As much as you are willing to commit to it, but remember this, in order to be a good piper or drummer you need to practice every day. Your speed and progress will be determined by your commitment to practice. Once you have learned the basic required tunes and have your uniform issued to you and are capable of marching, you can fit as many events as you can into your schedule. There will be some events where your participation will be encouraged, but it's all up to you and how much time you are willing to commit to. We realize that you do have other priorities. The Pipe Major's priorities are always: Family, Work, The Band!
  
   


 
   
Do I have to be of Scottish or Irish descent to play in the band?
No. Everyone is welcome.

 
       
   
What is actually worn under the kilt?
Nothing is worn under the kilt. Everything should be in perfect working order.
  
   

 
   
How long before I can march with the band?
As soon as the Pipe Major and your instructor feel that you have met the minimum level of competency, your uniform will be issued and you will perform with us. You will do marching drills with the band as you progress in your lessons. So, when you are ready to perform, you will already know how to march.
 
     
 


       
 
Bagpipe FAQ
I’ve heard the bagpipe is a difficult instrument to learn. Is this true?
Yes and no. There are more skills to learn with a bagpipe than with most other instruments. You will not only need to learn to play the notes of the melody, but there are also embellishments to learn which give the bagpipe its distinct sound. Also there are some coordination issues involved such as playing the notes while blowing into the bag and squeezing the bag. You could compare this to learning to ride a bicycle. You have to balance and pedal and steer all at the same time, but once you put all of these pieces together it all falls into place.

In addition it takes a fair amount of lung capacity and endurance to play the pipes. This will develop as you learn to play the instrument.

  
   
 
   

Will I have to pay for the lessons?
No, You need only provide a sincere desire to learn and a commitment to practice.

  
   
 
   

Will I need to purchase any supplies to take lessons?
Yes. You will need to purchase a practice chanter and the College Of Piping Vol. #1 (the "Green Book"). This will be discussed when you first meet with the Pipe Major or an assigned instructor. A small handheld tape/ digital recorder is advantageous, so you can record lessons for later reference or practice sessions to play back for critique.

*PLEASE! DO NOT* buy anything until you have made contact with us, and visited us at a practice. An Instructor or the Pipe Major will discuss what is needed and resources where you can obtain them.

 
       
   
What will the lessons be like?
Each new student will start from scratch (if you have previous musical experience this will help you in reading the music). You'll enter in with a group of students at your level. We start with the very basics: The scale and how to play it. You'll move on from there to the various embellishments. Along the way the tunes that the band plays will be taught in conjunction to the embellishments you are learning. New students work from the College of Piping Vol. #1 (The "Green Book") that contains exercises basic tunes, some of the first tunes you learn in the "Green Book" are in the bands' basic song "sets". A "set" is group of tunes, usually 3 tunes make a "set". Once you learn a couple of our "sets" (groups of tunes, usually 3) you will be ready to purchase your pipes.
  
   
 
   

How long will it take to learn to play?
This will vary greatly depending on your natural ability, previous musical experience and the amount of practice time that you devote. With average ability and a reasonably dedicated practice ethic you could reach minimum “street level” (parade) playing ability in about one year. How far you progress beyond “street level” will likely depend on how determined you are and how much practice time you dedicate.

 
   
 
   
Once I learn to play will there be a place for me in your band?
Certainly!
  
   
 
   
How do I get started?
Send an email to the Pipe Sergeant for more information or just show up at one of our practices. For further information for location and times, see "Practices" on our Information page.

  
     
 
  
 
 Drum FAQ
What kind of drums are played in a bagpipe band?

Snare drum: This is the most prominent sounding drum in the drum line. The snare drum that is used in a bagpipe band is different from the snare drums that are used in other bands. The pipe band snare drum has snare mechanisms on both the top and bottom drumheads. The drumheads are also tensioned much higher than on a normal snare drum. This results in the distinctive sound of Scottish Drumming, a very high pitched and crisp snare sound which compliments the notes played on the bagpipe “chanter”.

Tenor drum:This is the drum that fills in the middle tones in a pipe band. The tenor drum is usually pitched the same as the bass drone on the bagpipes. Some bands may have multiple tenor drums and pitch them to various notes on the chanter scale. Pipe bands can have two types of tenor drum players:

“Flourishing” tenor drummer does fancy “swings” with his/her mallets which visually compliment and add excitement to the band’s performance. A flourishing tenor drummer also plays rhythmic beatings which fill in the overall ensemble sound.

“Rhythm” tenor drummer focuses on rhythmic beating which compliment the music. A rhythm tenor drummer usually plays within a pattern framework (ex. Hard, soft, medium, soft) that helps set the “groove” for the band.

Bass drum: This drum is the heartbeat of the band. The bass drum is usually pitched to the bass drone of the bagpipes, but an octave lower than the tenor drum. The bass drum sets the pace of the music as well as adding the harmonic “bottom” tone of the band. The bass drummer must have a strong sense of rhythm. A good bass drummer will set a strong “groove” for the band that makes it easy for the pipers and drummers to play together. Though not as common as it once was, bass drummers can also "flourish" their mallets, adding to the visual effect.

The importance of drums in a pipe band?
The drum sections keeps the beat for the bagpipe band, but that is not it’s only job. The bagpipe is an instrument that can only be played at one volume level. There are no mechanisms for increasing or decreasing the volume. Everything sounds the same - LOUD! The drum section provides the illusion of the band playing more quietly or more loudly. This musical effect is referred to as “Dynamics”. A good drum section will work together, playing softer or louder parts together. The tenor and bass drummers may accent (strike more loudly) a beat that will compliment the accents that the snare drummers play. The snare drummers will often play parts or “chips” throughout the music to further enhance the dynamics within the ensemble.

Will I have to pay for the lessons?
No, You need only provide a sincere desire to learn and a commitment to practice.

Will I need to purchase any supplies to take lessons?
Yes. You will need to purchase a drum pad and a pair of drumsticks . A small handheld tape/ digital recorder is advantageous, so you can record lessons for later reference or practice sessions to play back for critique. If you eventually join the band, your drums and other supplies will be purchased for you by the band.

*PLEASE! DO NOT*buy anything until you have made contact with us, and visited us at a practice. An Instructor or the Drum Sergeant will discuss what is needed and resources where you can obtain them.

What will the lessons be like?
We like to start each new student as if they are starting from scratch (if you have previous experience this will likely be a quick review). We start with the very basics: Learning to properly grip the sticks and strike the drum. New students are given exercises to work on at home to develop proper technique. At each week’s lesson the student will be given instruction in reading drum music as well as developing the drum rudiments, such as rolls and para diddles. The lessons are progressive; as each lesson is mastered new material is added.

How long will it take to learn to play?
This will vary depending on your natural ability, previous musical experience and the amount of practice time that you dedicate. With average ability and a reasonably dedicated practice ethic you could reach minimum “street level” (parade) playing ability in about one year. It has been done quicker.

How far you progress beyond “street level” will likely depend on how determined you are and how much practice time devote to the instrument.

Once I learn to play will there be a place for me in your band?
Absolutely.

How do I get started?
Send an email to the Pipe Sergeant or just show up at one of our practices. For further information for location, map and times, visit our Information page.