Now offering lessons over Zoom—book your first lesson today!
Private bagpipe lessons
Hi, I’m Duncan, and I’ve been playing the bagpipes for nearly 20 years. I offer one-on-one lessons tailored to your level, whether you’re just picking up the practice chanter for the first time or refining your technique for competition. I hold a degree in Music Education from UMass Amherst and have been teaching since 2018. My goal is to help you build a clean, confident sound and a strong musical foundation at your own pace.
Lessons are available over Zoom or in person within 40 miles of Whately, Massachusetts.
“Duncan is a fantastic instructor. His lessons are structured so that you always feel that you're making progress, and he makes the process fun as well.”
— WEBB
What to expect when learning the bagpipes
Phase 1
The practice chanter
All students begin on the practice chanter, a simplified version of the pipes that helps build fingerwork, rhythm, and foundational technique. In this phase, you’ll learn how to read music, play embellishments, and build a repertoire of tunes, laying the groundwork before moving to the full pipes.
Phase One typically lasts 6–9 months. A practice chanter and instructional book are provided at your first lesson.
Phase 2
Great Highland bagpipes
Once you’ve developed core skills on the chanter, we’ll transition to the full Great Highland Bagpipes. This phase focuses on steady blowing, posture, and developing endurance while learning a variety of tune styles, including marches, strathspeys, reels, jigs, and hornpipes.
Many students find this jump challenging at first, but my teaching method is designed to ease the transition with clarity and support.
Phase 3
Performance & competition
When you’ve built confidence and a strong sound on the pipes, you’ll have opportunities to perform either solo or as part of a group.
Local solo competitions, organized by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA), offer a positive, skill-building environment from April through September. You may also choose to join a pipe band, which performs at parades and contests across New England and beyond.