Learning to play bagpipes requires an enormous commitment and dedication in terms of focus, time and repetition.

As a learner, you need to allocate at least one hour per day to chanter practice. (This also holds true for all pipers !) Only you can make yourself practice. Daily practice may be divided into two half-hour periods - but get into the habit of chanter practice every day.

It is not fair to yourself, your piping instructor, or your band if you do not make this effort. You must decide on this basis if piping is really for you.

The initial exercise stage in learning to play bagpipes is the most important for any learner. Coordination and sight reading of music are the principal techniques which must be mastered before you can hope to make a useful contribution to your band.

Only by taking your time, exercising slowly, accurately, repetitively and regularly will you master the instrument.

Always thoroughly master one step at a time, before moving to the next. Do not be tempted to race through allocated exercises / tunes "to get to the next one". If you start off by "hashing" your finger work, you will never break your bad habits and, at best, will be a mediocre player.

Regular, timely attendance at all band practice sessions is necessary for you to make steady progress in piping.

You should never forget to regularly revise any exercises / tunes which you are assigned from the day you start to learn pipes.

As you progress to playing pipes in the band, consider the following factors:
Are you competent to play with the band ?
Will your musical contribution to the band enhance, or detract from, the band's overall performance

Often a band will use learner pipers to fill ranks. While sometimes this practice cannot be avoided, no-one should expect to play in the band if his / her performance is not satisfactory in terms of the band's musical standard, whether that individual has previously "played" as a member of the band or not.