Evening Classes
The National Piping Centre’s Evening Class courses provide top class tuition in small groups.
Suitable for everyone from complete beginners to advanced pipers, these weekly classes in small groups will provide a supportive and fun learning environment.
The National Piping Centre has re-developed its evening class programme to now offer a more structured learning experience. These courses are designed to take you from absolute beginner through to proficient piper, through PDQB levels 2 - 5. There will be an opportunity to sit these exams along the way if you wish. The 10 week course costs £100 adult / £90 U16 - just £10/£9 per week!
The learning journey the student will embark on details all the abilities required to be a self sufficient piper. Pupils will learn how to read and write music for the bagpipe, maintain and tune their own instrument and develop a well rounded repertoire of pieces.
There are 9 levels of playing experience, to reflect the different stages of piping learning. This will allow you to more accurately describe your playing to us and allow us to group you more accurately. See below for the level descriptions before you book to ensure you are booking the correct class.
To help with the new system, we will be closing our evening class registrations one week before the term starts, to give our team time to schedule classes. Please make sure you register before the closing date to ensure your place on the course.
Classes offered are subject to amendment or cancellation. You may be asked to move times/ days due to over subscription to a class or lack of interest in a day/ time
All classes are run to UK time (GMT). Please be aware of Spring/ Autumn daylight savings and how this may effect your attendance
Current Term of Evening Classes
Term 2 starts from Saturday 23rd January to Thursday 25th March. This term is now full and no more bookings are being taken.
This will be taught solely online, with no in-person teaching for this next Evening Class course. The class co-ordinator will complie the classes in the New Year, so will be in contact after then for all registrations. The course costs are £100 adult / £90 U16, so just £10 / £9 per week!
Next Term of Evening Classes
Term 3 will start from Saturday 17th April - Thursday 24th June 2021. Registrations for this course will open shortly.
Beginner 1
Beginner 2
Beginner 3
Novice 1
Novice 2
Novice 3
Intermediate + 1
Intermediate + 2
Intermediate + 3
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to learn to play?
If you are new to the Evening Classes and the instrument, you will need to purchase our Tutor Book and a chanter. A starter pack is available from The Bagpipe Shop for £55 which includes both these things.
For our online classes you will also need a video conferencing app (skype or zoom), a web cam and a broadband connection.
Who will teach me
The teachers from this course will be drawn from The National Piping Centre’s world-class teaching staff. Among them there are Glenfiddich Champions, World Pipe Band Champions, top recording artists and more.
When do registrations close?
Registrations for our Evening Class terms will now close 7 days before the term starts. This allows for time to contact students and ensure everyone is grouped correctly before term starts.
How often to terms run?
These 10 week courses are run over 3 terms a year. Term 1 is a 10 week term typically running between September and December. Term 2 is a 10 week term which commences January until Easter and Term 3 is a 10 week term which normally runs from Easter until July. For further information about our evening classes please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 0141 353 0220.
Hearing Protection
The National Piping Centre requires all students to use hearing protection at all times when playing pipes. Hearing protection is available for purchase in our shop or free of charge from the earplug dispenser in both our piping school venues.
Find out more