How much does it cost to hire a bagpiper?
The bagpipe is a cranky and difficult instrument.
They take lots of physical stamina to play, are easily affected by the weather, and it can take years of practice to be performance-ready. Not many people take the time to learn this instrument.
For every piper that can play “Amazing Grace,” there are 50,000 dudes with a guitar playing “Wonderwall.” (Is that a reference the kids still get?)
What do you get when you hire a bagpiper?
You’re not paying just for the performance when hiring a bagpiper or musician. The performance is just a small piece of what it takes to produce great music.
When you hire a bagpiper, you’re getting: (or should be getting!)
Planning time/calls for your event
Travel time to and from your event
The outfit. It ain’t cheap!
Tuning/warm-up time
And finally…the performance
We have to make sure we value our time and talents appropriately and don’t sell ourselves short. So that gets us to the million-dollar question…
What does a bagpiper charge?
Encore Music says it pretty well:
Remember that a cheaper quote doesn’t necessarily mean a better deal for you! Make sure to listen to each bagpiper, look for reviews and testimonials, and find out their level of experience. It’s worth paying for a good bagpiper who will create a haunting, unforgettable atmosphere.
In other words… You get what you pay for.
Most pipers charge between $200-$300 for a 20-30 minute performance. But that can vary by region, event, and the piper's experience level. When you book a piper for a 20-30 minute performance, it can still take 1-2 hours of the piper's time.
As a professional piper with decades of experience, the average cost for my services is $300 an event. I charge for my time, not the amount of music I play. Once I’m at your event I can play as much or as little as you like.
Check out this page to get more specific info, ideas, and prices for different events.
Bagpipers need to tune! This is what tuning looks like. Messing with our pipes to make sure they have the right tone.
Bagpiper Red Flags
Now that you know what to expect for cost, here are some things to look out for when hiring a piper to ensure you have the best experience:
They don’t show up 30 minutes before your event.
The instrument needs time to adjust to the environment, be warmed up, and be tuned. Make sure your piper is showing up early enough so they can do this! (Check out the video above.)
They don’t have music samples to listen to.
In this day and age, every piper should have some footage or video of themselves playing. Especially one charging you for their services.
They don’t have any references or client testimonials.
You don’t go to a restaurant without any reviews, right? Well, maybe you’re adventurous. This isn’t always a dealbreaker, but someone who calls themselves a professional piper should have some references to give you.
Hire a Local Bagpiper
Help keep this ancient and unique instrument alive! Any event can be elevated with bagpipes. I’ve played all kinds of events all over Western New York and beyond. I’d love to add your event to the list.
Cheers!