Pipe Band Sessions

Pipe Band Sessions

Your pipe band can arrange to have an online session with John Cairns.

John works with many pipe bands by using a free program called Zoom.  Zoom sessions work best with a High Definition Webcam and high speed internet service.

Sessions are one hour in length and pipe bands are encouraged to record their session for future reference.

These sessions are popular with pipe bands, because there are no travel, or accommodation expenses, and the cost of a session, is the same as a 1 hour lesson.

Some of the things that John can do for your pipe band during these sessions include:

• Working 1 on 1 with your Pipe Major, to:
  • Discuss teaching strategies, and how to get the most out of a practice,
  • Do an evaluation of the music your pipe band is playing, including offering suggestions for selecting grade appropriate music, constructing a medley, making the transitions from tune to tune, adding harmonies, etc., and
  • Discuss how to express and get the most out of the tunes that your band are playing.

• Working directly with your pipe band to evaluate and then offer constructive advice on how to improve the:
  • Tonal quality and stability of the band,
  • Tuning efficiency of individuals and the pipe band itself,
  • Each piper’s ability to set up their bagpipe and work with their drone and pipe chanter reeds,
  • Band’s ability to do various pipe band techniques (i.e. attacks and cut-offs),
  • Unison playing within the pipe section,
  • Expression of the pipe music, and
  • Ensemble within the band itself.

If you are interested in making arrangements for your pipe band to have a long distance session, here are the steps involved.

Step 1:	Please contact John directly by email at jcairns.bpsolutions@gmail.com.
Step 2:	John will then send you an email response with a detailed PDF file that outlines how the pipe band sessions work (including pricing information).
Step 3:	After reading the PDF, if you still want to proceed with arranging for a session, you will need to send John a new email with the following information: Your pipe band’s name. Previous instructors (if any). The competition level your pipe band currently plays at (if applicable). A copy of the music that your pipe band currently plays. An indication of the: Specific aspects that your pipe band is hoping to get help with, Days of the week and times (in your time zone) that your pipe band is available to have a session, and When you would like to start.
Step 4:	John will then send an email with an indication (based on the availability you have sent him) of the days/times that he would be available to have a session with your pipe band.