TUITION

Would you like to play with Antwerp & District Pipe Band? Both beginners and advanced players are welcome!

b>Antwerp & District Pipe Band teaches students in both piping and drumming from very beginning. In that case you will be taught and coached by experienced pipers and drummers. Please read below for more information about all aspects of playing the bagpipes or drums. In order to provide a good tuition program, we work well together with our friends and colleagues of Borderline Pipe Band. Pupils who start from the very beginning can get used to playing in a pipe band there. If you would like to play with Antwerp & District, we expect you to be able to control your instrument and to be very motivated.

Learning to play the bagpipes

Everyone aged 8 or older and very motivated can learn to play the bagpipes. You will spend between half an hour and one hour a day practicing. It's very important not to consider practicing as an obligation at the beginning of your course!

As an average, a student will be taught for about 1 - 2 years, during this period all important aspects of playing the pipes will be handled. Additionally, a couple of tunes will be learned. After this period, a student should be able to play with the band, subject to progress.

Every student will be taught individually, either at home or at the band's practice location. More information about the practice location can be found at the bottom of this page.

It is not nescessary to buy a set of pipes at the very start of the course. Initially, a student will practice on a Practice Chanter. After a while, one can start on the pipes. A set of bagpipes is usually made to order at special bagpipe makers in Scotland. Prices of the instruments vary, subject to design, but start at about € 1000,-.

Learning to play the drums

The drum corps of a pipe band consists of three types of drums. Best known is the Side Drum (picture), the (double) snared drum. The other two are the Tenor Drum and the Bass Drum. These two form the Bass & Tenor Section within the drum corp. The course of a drummer is roughly the same as a piper's course. Provided that a student practices about half an hour every day, it takes about 1 - 2 years. There is no need to buy a drum; for practicing, a Practice Pad is used. Drummers will always use this Practice Pad, even when more experienced (the same goes for the Practice Chanter of a piper). Every student will be taught individually, at the practice nights in Merksem. During the course, rudiments and tunes will be handled. In case of the Tenor Drum, flourishing will be added. After the practice period, the student will be able to play with the band, subject to progress.

After finishing the piping or drumming course, it will be possible to play both performances and competitions with the band. You will of course need a uniform. The uniform Antwerp & District Pipe Band wears, is called Day Dress, a kilt, a jacket and a waste coat. The band provides the uniform.

Would you like to visit a band practice of Antwerp & District after reading this? Please contact info@adpb.be to make an appointment. The practice location is "Zaal Bart", Bartholomeusstraat 9a, 2170 Merksem, Antwerp.