About The School

In Christmas 2021, I decided I’d like to try and learn to play the bagpipes. I was referred to Barry Gray, and in early 2022 started to have lessons with him and bought his online Millennium Method. The Millennium Method is the most amazing bagpipe tuition system. Barry has condensed 50 years of wisdom, learning and teaching the bagpipes into an easy to follow course.

It teaches you consistently perfect technique and is like having a world class bagpiper and teacher available 24/7. The Millennium Method teaches you to play in a logical progression from scratch, learning each note, then the embellishments, and learning how to play tunes. The Millennium Method means that I can practice as much as I want every day, ensuring I learn with perfect technique and make rapid progress. Then in our weekly lesson Barry can help correct any small mistakes I make.

Barry is an absolute font of wisdom with learning to play the bagpipes. He has dedicated his entire professional life to the bagpipes and I can’t speak highly of him and his teaching abilities, both through the Millennium Method and in person. He is “the go to bagpiper" in Australia when world class musical acts come to Australia, having performed on the biggest stages from the AFL Grand Final with Robbie Williams to alongside Andre Rieu, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, Delate Goodrem and Brian Adams. I adopted everything Barry taught me, and after 5 months I bought a set of bagpipes from Barry. There were frustrations along the way with learning how to play this new instrument, but Barry was consistently patient and helpful. 3 months later I joined a bagpipe band and played my first gig with them that same month. I was well prepared walking in, confident I had strong technique as a result of the Millennium Method and Barry’s tuition.

In 2024, I had one of the greatest honours of my life to play for the funeral of a close friend after I promised him I would the last time I saw him. That event alone made the hundreds hours of practice over the past few years’ worth every second.

Later in 2024, I had one of the greatest experiences of my life when I travelled to Scotland to play at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. My band played in 26 shows over 3.5 weeks, and it was an incredible and emotional experience marching down onto the Esplanade every night with 200 other bagpipers and drummers from around the world, playing for 9,500 cheering and clapping people per night. As we played for Scottish dancers and alongside world class acts, I felt incredible gratitude to Barry for being a key part in me being on this journey. A couple of years ago I never would have dreamed that I would be a bagpiper on the world stage, but now I have been and Barry has been a crucial part of me achieving that.

One night at the Tattoo as I stood and played next to new friends from around the world and looked out into crowd and saw thousands of smiling and joyous faces looking back at me, I thought that when I am at the end of my life, this will be one of the memories that I will look back on most fondly. I’m very grateful to Barry and his Millennium Method for helping me achieve that. In two words about the Millennium Method, BUY IT!!! It will be the single best decision you make on your bagpiping journey.

In 2010 I started learning the bagpipes as a fresh beginner using the Millennium Method with Barry Gray as my teacher. Under his tutelage I was able to start playing the full set of Great Highland Bagpipes after only 6 months and continued private lessons for the next 3 years, before having the skills to start busking throughout Sydney and start my own business performing at both public/private events. Barry has been a great teacher, mentor and friend throughout my musical journey and I strongly recommend him for anyone considering learning the bagpipes.

I would like to express my experience with Sydney School of Piping and Drumming (SSPD).

I was 57 yrs. old and looking for an interest outside of work.

I have always loved the bagpipes and was wandering if I was too old to learn to play them. I searched the internet and found SSPD near my home and work place I contacted them.

I spoke to Barry Gray and explain my situation he was quite helpful and understanding. At first he would do tuitions at my home after my days work and at his house due to changes in my work place, he was very encouraging and explained all the aspects of pipe music (timing, note duration and technique plus many more things regarding piping) within a few months I was playing a tune on the practice chanter and within six months I was able to play a few tunes on my bagpipes it was a very awesome feeling hearing that beautiful sound. I am still playing and learning with Barry’s help and tuition after three yrs.

I would highly recommend SSPD for all piping and drumming tuition either through zoom meetings, face to face, group lesson or the millennium method which was designed by Barry and is a great tool for learning piping.

I started receiving tuition from Barry when I joined COB in 1992. I had previously played the pipes in a country based Gd 4 band but it wasn’t until I was receiving tuition from Barry that my piping was taken to its full potential. Within 12 months of his tuition I was elevated from playing Grade 4 to Grade 1 and swiftly moved through the solo piping ranks to compete and win prizes in A grade solo piping.

Barry’s experience, knowledge, ability, and passion for teaching has given myself and many other pipers the opportunity to play to their absolute best ability. I am grateful to have been taught by Barry and would highly recommend his teaching programs, whether you are an established player or an absolute beginner.

I am delighted to share our experience with Barry Gray, our daughter’s bagpipe teacher. From the very first lesson, Barry's passion for music and his deep knowledge of the bagpipes were evident.

Under Barry’s guidance, our daughter has blossomed into an impressive bagpipe player. She has developed a strong technique, a deep understanding of the music, and a love for the instrument that I know will last a lifetime. Barry’s encouragement and constructive feedback has instilled a sense of discipline and dedication in her that extends beyond music.

What truly sets Barry apart is his genuine investment in his students' growth. He celebrates their successes, no matter how small. We are so grateful for the positive impact he has had on her musical journey.

Reflecting on our experience, I can confidently say that Barry Gray is not just an exceptional teacher, but a remarkable mentor who inspires his students to reach their fullest potential. We feel incredibly fortunate to have him as a part of our daughter’s musical life.

Must say Tiam-Li and Iona could never have even competed if it were not for the patience and exceptional teaching ability of Barry. You are surely a credit to the world of piping and an amazing tutor.

We just wanted to say a big thank you for everything that you have done for our son over the past three years. You made our non-sporty kid a World Champion; you made our super serious kid laugh; you got our shy kid performing in front of 100,000 people; you took our medieval history buff to Scotland! He has gained so much confidence and discipline under your tutorage. We really appreciate the effort that you have put in.