How do I tell the difference between one piper and another?
Not all pipers are equal in ability. A piper with years of instruction and experience is likely to cost more than someone who just plays as their hobby. Unfortunately, there are pipers who don’t know how to play or tune their instrument and they are out there playing for the public. There are several online gig services who do not audition their performers and entertainers to ensure competence at their craft. Often these folks charge very little for their performances - you get what you pay for! The bagpipes are a challenging instrument, and being able to “play a tune” on them is a very long way from mastery of the instrument. When your hired piper begins to play, you want your guests to enjoy and be moved by the experience – not run for the exits!
It is important to hire a professional-level musician. Aside from knowing the tunes, playing them well and handling the pressure of an audience, a piper needs to know how to adjust his or her pipes in adverse conditions, have back up pipes and equipment, etc.
You don't bury someone twice! If an inexperienced piper messes up at a funeral, there are no second chances; they will ruin the family's experience forever. The same theory applies with weddings.
Not all pipers are equal in ability. A piper with years of instruction and experience is likely to cost more than someone who just plays as their hobby. Unfortunately, there are pipers who don’t know how to play or tune their instrument and they are out there playing for the public. There are several online gig services who do not audition their performers and entertainers to ensure competence at their craft. Often these folks charge very little for their performances - you get what you pay for! The bagpipes are a challenging instrument, and being able to “play a tune” on them is a very long way from mastery of the instrument. When your hired piper begins to play, you want your guests to enjoy and be moved by the experience – not run for the exits!
It is important to hire a professional-level musician. Aside from knowing the tunes, playing them well and handling the pressure of an audience, a piper needs to know how to adjust his or her pipes in adverse conditions, have back up pipes and equipment, etc.
You don't bury someone twice! If an inexperienced piper messes up at a funeral, there are no second chances; they will ruin the family's experience forever. The same theory applies with weddings.
No piper is better than a bad one!
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How do you know what quality of piper you are hiring?
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Look for a piper involved in competitive piping. The governing body for competing pipers in the Western United States is called the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA). If a piper is not graded, it's probably a good idea to continue your search. You can also ask the piper several questions like how long they have been performing and what 'grade' (see below) piper they are. Competition makes us better. It holds us accountable and we work harder. We are driven by our teachers and band leaders, not to mention our own desire, to improve. At the end of the day, we are in competition with ourselves, striving to become the best piper we can. Along the way is good-spirited fellowship with other pipers against whom we compete. This is very helpful to you as a potential customer since it gives you a pre-set guideline to gauge if the musician is of a 'professional' quality.
There are six grades:
Darrell is an active competitor in the professional grade and is a competition adjudicator in the Western United States Pipe Band Association.
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: Look for a piper involved in competitive piping. The governing body for competing pipers in the Western United States is called the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA). If a piper is not graded, it's probably a good idea to continue your search. You can also ask the piper several questions like how long they have been performing and what 'grade' (see below) piper they are. Competition makes us better. It holds us accountable and we work harder. We are driven by our teachers and band leaders, not to mention our own desire, to improve. At the end of the day, we are in competition with ourselves, striving to become the best piper we can. Along the way is good-spirited fellowship with other pipers against whom we compete. This is very helpful to you as a potential customer since it gives you a pre-set guideline to gauge if the musician is of a 'professional' quality.
There are six grades:
- Grade 5: This is the entry-level grade and consists of beginner pipers. Many parade, police and fire bands fall under this category.
- Grade 4: By this time the piper usually has at least a couple of years experience. The judging focus at this grade is correct finger technique and the ability to play simple tunes.
- Grade 3: By now musical expression, timing, and bagpipe sound are gaining importance as well as accurate fingering technique. The piper has usually been playing for over four or five years.
- Grade 2: **This is the lowest grade suggested for a piper to be hired.** All of the above are important in this grade but a higher degree of ability is required to be successful.
- Grade 1: This is the semi-professional grade. By this time the piper has usually been playing for at least 8 years.
- OPEN/ PROFESSIONAL GRADE: To reach this level you have to have demonstrated a very high level of piping ability. These pipers are very hard to come by and may charge more than other pipers. However the cost is well worth it.
Darrell is an active competitor in the professional grade and is a competition adjudicator in the Western United States Pipe Band Association.