Learn the Great Highland Bagpipe properly

Most students start on the practice chanter — the practice version of the bagpipe chanter. It's quiet, affordable, and the right place to learn the fingering, embellishments and tunes before you ever inflate a bag.

I teach an 11-phase curriculum based on the College of Piping / Piobaireachd Society syllabus, adapted to adult learners. Each phase has clear, measurable goals — you'll always know where you are and what's next. No fluff, no shortcuts.

What this course covers — and what it does not

This is a private tuition route for individual skill development. It does not automatically grant an official grade, band membership or competition status. Those are separate paths: solo competition grading is awarded by organisations such as CLASP Scotland or the Bagpipe Association of Germany; pipe band grading applies to a band as a whole; and joining a band requires its own audition or internal exam.

Format & pricing

• Single lesson — €65 incl. VAT (60 min)
• 5-lesson pack — €295 incl. VAT (€59 per lesson)
• 10-lesson pack — €550 incl. VAT (€55 per lesson)

Lessons in person (Hedel) or online via video. Travel to your location possible on request.

What you'll need

• A practice chanter (~€80–€150). I can advise on what to buy and where.
• The College of Piping Tutor Book 1.
• A metronome and a notebook.

Timeline — differs per student

Regular, focused practice determines progress. Many students can begin the move from practice chanter to the full pipes after a few hundred hours of focused practice, but the exact timeline differs greatly per student. Determining factors are practice frequency, practice quality, motor development, musical ear, previous musical experience and command of the practice chanter. I'll never push you to the pipes before your hands are ready.

Competition, bands and long-term goals

If you want to compete, I can prepare you for the skills required in solo competitions and help you choose a programme. If you want to join a pipe band, I can point you towards groups I work with (such as Dutch Pipes and Drums in Tilburg) and support you in preparing for an audition. But the official grade, band placement and any audition result are decided by the relevant organisation or band — not by this course.