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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The bagpipes are probably not the most commonly played musical instrument in town.

If people were surveyed about which instrument would be their top choice to learn, the guitar, piano and other instruments probably appear above them on the list. The reason for this might be that people don't know where to get started.

Brad Heath is the pipe major (president) of the NWT Pipe Band. He has been playing bag pipes since 1994. He says he is still learning the instrument but he can really make incredible music. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

Brad Heath and the NWT Pipe Band have a solution. Heath started taking lessons on the bagpipes in 1994. The NWT Pipe Band is one of the few pipe bands offering lessons to adults. Heath explained there are a few stages to learning the bagpipes.

"It takes dedication and patience to play," said Heath. "I'll never perfect all its movements. If you stick with it you can do it."

The bagpipes consist of a blow stick, chanter, drones and a bag.

"Students start lessons on the blow stick and chanter," said Heath. "They must play this one to two years depending on how much they practice."

The next step is to get hooked up to the bag. Bags are made of animal skin and Gore-Tex. When the bag is connected the student will open up a drone.

"This will be different than just the blow stick and chanter," said Heath. "Students have to learn how to work with the drone."

Most bagpipes have two tenor drones and a bass drone. When the student learns how to use the first drone they will open up a second. Good players will play with three drones.

It will take a while before a student can join the pipe band. Heath said it might take seven years to learn how to play.

"If you don't practice you won't get any better," said Heath. "You don't need to already play an instrument or read music to play. We'll teach you. It is a good idea to listen to music and memorize the tunes. That helps make playing easier. Students should listen to the band play after their lessons."

Pipe band members also need a kilt, ghillie brogues (shoes), hose with flashes (socks) and a sporran (pouch). The NWT Pipe Band wears the NWT Tartan.

Thea Campbell has been playing the bagpipes for 21 years. She plays bagpipes that have been in her family for over 60 years.

"They are very temperamental instruments," said Campbell. "Climate, air pressure and sounds around you impact the sound of the instrument. The older the bagpipes, the better they sound."

The NWT Pipe Band meets on Tuesday nights at Weledeh Catholic school at 7 p.m.