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FAQ's
What's an "FAQ" -- believe or not, some folks still aren't familiar with this shorthand for Frequently Asked Questions.
Nonetheless, I have written this page to respond to some Frequently Asked Questions I receive as a Highland bagpiper.
If you find this page does not answer a question you think should be here, please email me your thoughts for consideration.
So with this page, lets talk straight, throw it up on the wall and make no bones about it.


 Q:  What are things I should know about hiring a Highland bagpiper for my event -- what questions should I have answers to before agreeing to their performance?
A:  How long have they been playing?  How much instruction have they received over their playing career?  How long have they been playing for hire?  Do they have experience playing your kind of event, and if so how much?  Do they have any suggestions toward their performance to best serve your event?  Do they play with any bands and if so which?  Do they compete, and if so what grade level are they at? (5 is lowest, 1 or open is at the top)  What will they be wearing at your event -- will it be correct attire for your setting?  Do they have pictures of themselves dressed relatively as they would dress for your event that you may view?  Do they work with verbal or written agreements?  After you've received answers to these types of questions, ask yourself what your gut feeling is about hiring this person -- are you comfortable with them?  A performer you will feel comfortable with bringing to your event will have no trouble in answering these types of questions and will leave you feeling at ease.  Feel free to ask for references as well, but only if you're seriously considering hiring them as otherwise you're asking for quite a bit of work that may result to nothing -- and many of us have things to do outside of playing... like day-jobs.


Q:  So what should I expect to pay when hiring  the services of a Highland bagpiper?
A:  When hiring a Highland bagpiper, the saying of "You get what you pay for" applies.  I would also suggest something I saw on a reader-board outside a plumbing business (reworded slightly) 'Good piping isn't cheap, and cheap piping isn't good.'  In the greater Seattle area I would say at this time for a quality performance expect a base amount bid from a piper in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars for a typical event requiring a small number of hours (eg. weddings, memorials).  Remember that a piper -- good or bad at what they do -- is going to make an everlasting memory at your event, and a performer who asks something low like $75 is likely going to make a memory however not a pleasant one.  Beware also that, as with everything, there are unfortunately the occasional charlatans out there -- performers who have little playing ability but good salesmanship -- they'll likely ask quite a few hundred dollars and try to impress you with some sort of pedigree they think you won't be able to check.  If you ask the questions I suggest above, even check at random with a few of their peers, and something still feels fishy to you about them, you're feeling is quite possibly right and you may be happier locating another performer who can suit your event's needs.


Q:  Okay, but what would you charge to play my event?
A:  I base my rates on my skill level in conjunction with what my local peers ask to make an appearance.  I bid performances starting from a base amount, going up depending on the needs of the performance.  I explain my rates in detail only when bidding a job.


Q:  How long before my event should I start looking for the services of a professional musician?
A:  As Soon As Possible.  Musicians are people too, we have schedules and we have to plan in advance.  To secure your date and to allow for any necessary rehearsal and preparation, find a musician who will suit your needs as early as possible.  We're not short order cooks or pizza delivery people... well, actually, some of us are, but we don't necessarily work our music on the same amount of notice.  In particular, if you're hiring a musician who plays a specialized instrument such as Highland bagpipes or other heritage instruments, it may take time to locate someone -- so give yourself the extra time, too.


Q:  Why do you ask the amount of money you do for a performance?  I'm just looking for a piper to play a few tunes.
A:  Often when you hire someone to perform a service for you, what you receive is more than what you see.  The amount of work that goes into a performance for a Highland bagpiper is roughly the same that of a photographer.  If you hire a photographer for an event -- lets say a wedding -- the photographer doesn't just show up, snap a few pictures, get paid and go home.  In the case of your piper, they have rehearsal, clothing and instrument preparation, packing, traveling, preparing at the event, playing the event, re-packing, traveling home, unpacking, and then doing maintenance on their clothing and instrument.  Its more than just standing around looking good waiting to play a few tunes when the time is right.  Also, when hiring a Highland bagpiper, you're receiving a specialty service for the unique touch to your event -- by comparison, photographers and cake decorators et cetera are available left and right.


Q:  Is it proper to tip musicians hired to play at an event, and if so what is consider the appropriate amount?  Does this apply the same with Highland bagpipers?
A:  Yes, musicians provide a service and it is appropriate to tip them -- and this applies the same with Highland bagpipers.  Until writing this page, I hadn't given it much thought, and like a lot of people I didn't know what is considered a 'correct' amount... so I did two searches on-line, the first using "tipping etiquette" and a second search adding "musicians".  The following two responses seemed to succinctly represent what I found across a variety of pages:
 Personally, I've received tips ranging from round-trip bus fair and a soda all the way up & beyond these suggested amounts -- and I appreciate every one.


Q:  Do you include a gratuity when you bid a performance?  If a client makes a faux pas and doesn't tip you, is it an issue?
A:  No.  When I bid a gig, I ask what I'm worth and don't expect any more.  While I will gladly accept a tip, I view it as a bonus.  I also appreciate the additional offer of hospitality in the form of food and drink et cetera.


Q:  What's worn under a Scotsman's kilt?  Where does the tradition of flipping up a man's kilt come from?
A:  Please don't ask this question.  It's not your business, its uncomfortable, and its crass.  Whatever the situation, please treat people with the respect they deserve simply because they are people.  There is no "tradition" around flipping a kilt, and this kind of behavior can cause damage to the expensive garment.  People probably wouldn't treat a woman this way, so don't do it with a kilted gentleman or anyone else.  Instead, this is a great opportunity to use some discretion and ask a respectful and interesting question such as "How did the different tartans develop?", "Did Scots develop bagpipes, or did they originate somewhere else?", or possibly "How did you get involved in celebrating Scottish heritage?"  Who knows, you could have a good conversation and the start of a friendship.


Q:  You don't mind if I smoke standing next to you while you play your pipes do you?
A:  I absolutely mind.  I have to be able to breath to play, and your smoke is not just distracting but also difficult to deal with while playing.  I'm sure it can't be good for pipes and your smoke in my garments is gross and means additional cleaning.  YETCH!!!


Q:  I understand Highland bagpipes are kinda loud -- is this true, or just a nasty rumor?
A:  Highland bagpipes are designed to be loud -- or as some of us like to say LOUD & PROUD!  In my time of playing, I have been shutdown by Artis The Spoonman, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and the Seattle Police Department.  Of all people one might think to go against the freedom of speech/expression... go figure!  Volume is something to keep in mind when hiring a piper, so be sure to check local laws and with the venue beforehand to make sure your piper's performance will not be interrupted.  If the performance is a surprise, it would be wise to arrange a location for your performer to prepare themselves and their instrument well away from the final location.


Q:  You're quite handsome and, frankly, dead sexy -- does your girlfriend get concerned about you playing weddings, where there are often single women looking to catch the bouquet and meet attractive eligible bachelors?
A:  No.  I'm afraid I'm currently single -- and if I was seeing a woman right now, she would take comfort knowing she can trust me to not meet women while out performing, just as I would choose a woman who had such maturity.
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06Oct08