YES! Just not through our current courses. Our instructors are quite comfortable with students as young as 6, but it doesn't work in a group setting with mixed kids and teens. For those under 9 who wish to learn, we would recommend starting individual lessons with one of our instructors which can be arranged outside of our course nights. Drop us a message and we'll be happy to discuss the options with you!
Honestly, there's no real answer to this. It is possible for people of almost any age to learn new skills. We don't have a top limit on our classes for good reason, there shouldn't need to be one. We have separate classes for youth and adults because learning styles are different, but you're only too old if you think you are.
Maybe. We select certain practice instruments for qualities that will help you become a better player. Feel free to discuss with us what you have already purchased and we'll let you know if it will work for the goals of our development curriculum.
Our debut course is going to be for new beginners and will be taught completely from scratch. As our center grows, we will be offering additional courses which you could qualify for depending how far along you are in your development. However, if you want to study with one of our instructors anyway (which is a great idea!) we would be happy to discuss taking you on as a private student. Just drop us a message and we can figure out how best to help you reach your goals as a player.
I want to be a tenor drummer or bass drummer, can I learn those here?
In short, later. We believe it is healthy for pipe band drummers to take a beginning course in snare drumming. After the initial course, you will have the basic drumming skills and music reading experience necessary to make an informed decision about what kind of drummer you want to continue working to become. The world's best tenor and bass drummers are almost all pretty decent snare drummers at some level, too. We're not saying it's the only way, but it is our way so if you'd like to be a drummer it's best if you start with our beginning program and then decide to continue on snare or switch to tenor or bass.
This teaching program is just that. We are here to build players who want to learn pipes or drums. There are lots of bands in the suburbs and city, and when the time comes for you to join a band the best choice is finding the right group for your goals. Each band in the entire Chicago region has a unique social scenario and variety of styles, expectations, and reasons for existing. Our instructors are well connected with these bands and will be happy to help you find the right fit! First and foremost, develop yourself as a player and let the band choice be something to worry about when you're ready to be in a band. Side note - not every player even chooses to join a band and develops an active individual playing career either performing or competing.
How long before I'm actually playing the instrument?
It depends. Sorry, there's no easy answer for this one. There are individual factors that weigh heavily on how quickly or slowly you will progress when learning a totally new set of skills. If we had to give a general answer, so you have some idea of what to expect, let's say that you'll probably be ready to play an actual set of bagpipes or on an actual drum after about 9 months of dedicated practice. That's not to say that 6 months is unheard of, but it's unlikely. From our perspective, we will continue to move our students along at a rate which allows skills to develop and improve so that when moving onto the instruments themselves the transition feels natural. There is little point in setting up an opportunity to fail due to overambition. Do your homework and you'll be playing on an instrument most likely within a year, and from there on you will be able to learn and perform whole volumes of music with the confidence that you are doing it correctly.
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