<![CDATA[Bagpiper.Com]]> <![CDATA[Finding a Bagpiper]]>
1) Bagpiper Directory
This list all bagpipers by categories and contains profiles for each piper that includes descriptions,  contact info, and photos

This search contains only the "Sponsored Bagpipers" from our directory. This is a great search that allows you to see who is the closest piper to the performance location.

Choose between a Simple "one word" search or the Advanced Search that can use text and category filters. 

4) Online Request
Submit an online request to us and we will try to match a bagpiper to your performance

]]> <![CDATA[Price Structure for Bagpipers]]>  

Consumer’s looking to hire a bagpiper often ask "whats the fee or price range" for a bagpiper. Knowing the price in advance is extremely helpful in deciding on which bagpiper to call first. Unfortunately this can not be done easily with bagpipers.

The best way to keep cost down is to find a piper located nearest to the event.

Once you have found at least one piper, check their personal website. Some pipers will post their price range for various services, including travel fees and expenses when necessary.

Next email or call the piper(s), explain that you need a piper for event on this day, at this location, for this long and for this type of event.

 

“ALL I NEED IS 2 SONGS”

Another misconception in pricing is that a customer will ask how much is it to play for five minutes, or two tunes. As a piper, playing for "just" 2 minutes or 30 minutes really is not going to impact my price.

From a piper’s perspective, we still have to prepare the uniform and instrument before leaving for the event. We then have to leave ample travel time to make it to the event to leave plenty of room to park, find and meet with the client, and tune the bagpipes. 

So if it’s two minutes or thirty minutes, it doesn’t matter, if the event is 2 hours driving distance away,  pay for tolls, pay for parking, leave enough time for traffic, and then walk 15-20 minutes to the actual event location/entering buildings/waiting for visitor passes. I can easily spend 8 hours for “just two songs”

]]> <![CDATA[Wedding]]> Bagpipes can make a pleasant addition to your special day. Pipers have been entertaining quests at weddings, banquets and parties for centuries. Your quests will be quite surprised when they hear bagpipers marching into the reception hall. Bagpipes have and can be played at multi-ethnic weddings to the enjoyment of all.

What is the Best Time to Have a Bagpiper Play?

Its really a personal choice, but here are a few suggestions from past performances.

PLAYING AT THE CEREMONY

Before the Ceremony

This is usually not an ideal time for the piper to play unless you have something special in mind. If the majority of the guests are arriving at the same time (exiting bus, boarding a yacht, etc.) then a piper can be used quite effectively. Another suggestion would be to use the sounds of the bagpipes to announce the arrival of the bride and maybe have the piper march down the aisle playing a tune or two.

During the Service

Playing during the ceremony, but this can be nice if it is kept short and sweet. One tune in and one tune out. Amazing Grace or something similar is nice during the ceremony. Save the majority of bagpiping for after the service.

At the Receiving Line

Have the bagpiper start playing outside the church when the guests are exiting. The piper should play for approximately 15-20 minutes while waiting for the receiving line to complete. Have the bagpiper stop playing when the photographer is ready to photograph the bridal party with bride and groom. When the photos are completed and the rice is thrown, the bagpiper can now begin to play a fast and lively tune while the couple enters the limo.

PLAYING AT THE RECEPTION

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hours, which are usually void of live entertainment, can be a perfect place for bagpipes to be played. A single piper can easily blend in the room and provide background music for your guests. One drawback is that the bride and groom are normally taking photos at this time and are not present during the cocktail hour.

At the Reception

This is the most popular time for bagpipers to play other then immediately after the wedding ceremony. The best time to have the piper(s) play is sometime after the food has been served, usually 2-3 hours into the reception. Don't be surprised to see your guests clapping and dancing to the pipe music.

LAST NOTE

Music Choices

This is something that you will have to work out with the piper. Pipers will already have several sets of music that they know and intend to play. Though there is a great deal of pipe music that pipers will know, ask if you have a special request. A waltz played while the bride and groom dance by themselves is very popular choice. A perfect tune for this dance is "Those Endearing Young Charms"

Fees

Just like the music selection, pipers have different rates. Several factors that may influence the fee. Expect to pay an extra fee for pipers that have to travel longer distances to perform at your function. The amount of playing time is another factor, for example when requesting a piper to play at the ceremony and reception, several hours of time may be needed to be set aside to perform at both.

]]> <![CDATA[Zip Code Searches]]> You can now locate any link in our database (bagpiper, pipeband, store, instructor, etc) by using a USA based zip code.

You can select a radius, city, state, and zip code.

Please visit http://www.bagpiper.com/search_radius.php
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