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How
Does it Work?
Beginning pipers and drummers meet at 6:00PM to 7:00PM on
Tuesday nights before the regularly scheduled full band rehearsal,
which lasts from 7:00PM to 9:00PM in Lexington, Kentucky.
Piping students will need to provide a practice chanter and
an instruction book. Drummers will need drum sticks and a
practice pad. Please do not buy any practice materials until
you've met with your instructor, who will help you select
materials and sources of supply. Student membership dues are
$25 per year, the same as band membership dues. That's all
you need to do to get started! When you reach a certain level
of proficiency and familiarity with the band's music, your
instructor will arrange for an audition to demonstrate your
abilities to join the band.
What to
Expect for Pipers
For
pipers, it can take six months to a year on the practice chanter
before you're ready to tackle an actual set of Great Highland
Bagpipes. But don't worry, the time will fly by because you'll
be immersed in a whole new musical world. First you must learn
the scale and other embellishments inherent in bagpipe music.
You'll also be learning to understand the similarities and
diferences that distinguish pipe band music from more common
Western musical forms. You'll learn breathing techniques,
develop finger coordinations, and practice important rhythm
and timing exercises as you progress. When
you're ready for your pipes, you'll have experienced pipers
available to guide you for your purchase, playing, tuning,
and maintenance.
What to
Expect for Drummers
A pipe band drum
section consists of snare, tenor, and bass drums, which work
together internally and as an ensemble with the pipers. The
crisp and intricate snare drum helps to enhance the melody
of the pipes, the important bass drum maintains the tempo
set by the pipe major, and the tenors fill in the middle tones
and often twirl their mallets while they play. While we call
it a pipe band, a well-oiled drum section is a requirement
not an afterthought. How quickly can you expect to be playing?
It depends on your abilities, the band's needs, your experience,
and how quickly you progress at learning the subtleties of
pipe band drumming. Lessons are usually given on a practice
pad but you'll have access to the band's drums when you're
ready.
Take the first
step and contact Pipe Major Will
Young or Drum Sergeant Rick
Clayburn. (Don't
forget to remove the NOSPAM text included in the email addresses.)
The roll has sounded . . .
the pipes are struck in.
Join the excitement of
Kentucky United Pipes and Drums.
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