Learn the Bagpipes -
Online Bagpipe Lessons for All LevelsÂ
Master the Great Highland Bagpipe from anywhere with our step-by-step bagpipe lessons online. Whether you’re just starting or preparing for competition, our structured bagpipe tutorials make learning simple and enjoyable. Access video lessons, interactive sheet music, and a growing library of bagpipe tunes designed for pipers of every level.
Everything You Need to Learn the Bagpipes in One Place
Discover the perfect online solution for learning the bagpipes! Our comprehensive course, suitable for beginners and novices, offers expert instruction at your fingertips. Enjoy accessible lessons, expert guidance, and flexible scheduling. With personalized instruction from Peter Purvis of Gaelic Storm, you'll master this unique instrument affordably and flexibly. Don't miss out – start your bagpiping journey now!
Join UsThe Highland Bagpipe Academy Is For You If...
âś“ You don't have the time to drive to lessons.
âś“ You don't live by an experienced instructor
âś“Â You enjoy learning at your own pace.
âś“ Private lessons are not within your budget.
âś“Â You wish to learn from Peter Purvis from Gaelic Storm.
INTRODUCING
The Highland Bagpipe Academy
Are You Ready To Finally Learn the Bagpipes?
In this course we will teach you everything you need to know to learn the bagpipes. You’ll learn how to:
- Play all the notes and embellishments needed to play the bagpipes.
- Properly tune and maintain a bagpipe.
- 30+ tunes.
With a simple shift in your mindset and a better practice routine, you could become the piper you have always wanted to.
Step by Step Lessons
20+ hours of high quality easy to follow step by step video lessons with interactive sheet music and audio make these lessons intuitive and fun.
Tunes
30+ interactive tune tutorials using sound slice technology broken down by phrase with adjustable tempos and tips on how to play the tune properly.
Tuning/Maintenance
Learn to tune your drones and bagpipe chanter with proven techniques while addressing maintenance issues that can affect your tuning success.Â
Erin Foster
"I started playing the bagpipes when I was kid and then stopped for 20 years... these lessons are perfect for me to get back up and playing again. The lessons are done in such detail that it's impossible not to figure it out. I wish these lessons were available 20 years ago I might have never quite."
Lizz Schumer
"Pete is such a patient and encouraging teacher, Our 10 year old has been taking private lessons with Pete and is a member of his online site. He also was able to get us a great deal on a set pf pipes from Scotland."
Michael McLachlan
"I'm a retired cop and always wanted to learn the bagpipes, but it always looked so hard and I never had time. Well, I finally have time and now I'm learning from Pete on his website and from private lessons via FaceTime and couldn't be happier. He breaks everything down so even an old stubborn fart like me can learn."
Melissa Smyth
"How cool it that you can take lessons from Pete!!! What better way to learn the bagpipes."
Alan Morrison
"Thanks so much Pete. I have learned more from your lessons in 6 months than in 5 years of piping."
Ross Nixon
​"These are the best bagpipe lessons I've ever seen! Thanks so much for creating this course."Â
What's Included In The Highland Bagpipe Academy...
The lessons are in video format, and they come with interactive sheet music. This combination creates an optimal learning experience for the user.
The Practice Chanter
You will spend a large amount of time playing your practice chanter, it's an important part of playing the bagpipes. Lessons about the practice chanter include:
   ✓ Parts of the practice chanter.
   ✓ Buying a practice chanter.
   ✓ Holding and blowing a practice chanter.
   ✓ Maintenance and tuning on a practice chanter.
Bagpipe Music Theory
Before we start learning the pipes there is a little music theory we must learn first. In these lessons, you’ll learn:
   ✓ Bagpipe Music Terminology.
   ✓ Time signatures and note values.
   ✓ Dots, cuts and tied notes.
Beginner Bagpipe Embellishments
The initial embellishments you learn on the bagpipes will set you up to play all the others, here you’ll learn:
   ✓ Strikes.
   ✓ Grace Notes.
   ✓ Doublings.
   ✓ Throws.
   ✓ Grips.
Novice Bagpipe Embellishments
We will delve deeper into the world of embellishments and discover some of the finest ones. Here you’ll learn:
   ✓ More Grace Notes.
   ✓ Taorluaths.
   ✓ High G Strikes.
   ✓ Birls.
   ✓ Tachums.
Advanced Bagpipe Embellishments
In this section, we will study some of the more intricate embellishments and the most effective techniques to master them.
   ✓ Strathspey Movement.
   ✓ G-D-E Movements.
   ✓ Half Doublings.
   ✓ Doubling Strikes.
   ✓ Slides and Slurs.
Bagpipe Tuning and Maintenance
In this section, we will study the proper and most effective way to maintain and tune your bagpipes. You' ll learn:
   ✓ Drone Reed Manipulation and Adjustments.
   ✓ Drone Tuning for Optimal Sound and Pressure.
   ✓ Pipe Chanter Tuning.
   ✓ Pipe Chanter Reed Manipulation for the Perfect Sounding and Playing Reed.
   ✓ Getting the Pipes up and Building Stamina with Better Blowing.
   ✓ Proper Maintenance; Hemping, Oiling, Waxing and Humidification.
30+ Bagpipe Tunes
I teach each tune in a video phrase by phrase slowly while talking about the important nuances and strategies to effectively play each tune. All tunes and exercises come with interactive sheet music where you can control the tempo and section you wish to work on. You' ll learn:
   ✓ Songs.
   ✓ 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 Marches.
   ✓ Jigs, Reels, Strathspeys and Hornpipes.
   ✓ Slow Airs.
Cynthia Thompson
"For the price of one lesson I have got lessons for my son for an entire month. Thanks so much."
Brian Pack
"Thanks again for setting up the tunes for our band's new MSR set. I'm already benefiting from the lessons."
Jarred Hurley
"I've been taking the online lessons, and they are very helpful. Pete has a great site!."
Meet the Instructor
Peter Purvis grew up in the small village of Merrickville in Canada’s Ottawa Valley — a region renowned for its fiddle music, step dancing, and maple syrup. He began playing Highland pipes at the age of 12, and by 16 had also taken up the Uilleann pipes and Irish whistle. From a young age, he was fortunate to study under some of the world’s most respected pipers and perform with top Canadian pipe bands — experiences that profoundly shaped his development as a musician.
Peter went on to have a successful solo career, earning multiple Championship Supreme titles across North America, as well as Gold Medals in both light music and Piobaireachd at the North American Championships. His competitive success took him to Grade 1 before he stepped away from the solo platform to join the internationally touring Celtic band Gaelic Storm.
Peter has been a member of Gaelic Storm since 2004 and has recorded two DVDs and eleven albums with the group — eight of which reached #1 on the Billboard World Music charts. With their energetic fusion of traditional Celtic music and contemporary rock influences, Gaelic Storm has become one of the most influential and celebrated bands in the world-music scene.
When not on tour, Peter teaches Highland pipes, Uilleann pipes, and tin whistle both online and from his home in Chicago. He is also a registered piano technician (“piano tuner”) in the Chicago area. Outside of music and teaching, he enjoys running marathons and spending time with his wonderful wife and two children.
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