Oh yes the sounds of the pipes, there's no escape is there, nor in my case would I want there to be.  Those that do not know me I'm the piper of the MacDonalds of Clan Ranald.  

My question is for those listeners out there what kind of Bagpipe music do you enjoy listening to the most?

There is always the normal marching tunes and battle claymore tunes to be played, and yes every tune has it's place.  But what do you feel is the most important?

Being a re-enactor and a big piping enthusiast I've fallen in love with both listening and playing the ceol mor, the piobaireachd or the great music of the highland pipes.  These tunes can reach anywhere from 4-5 minutes in length to a full half hour or more for just one tune.  They are very challenging to the player and all of them have a very big meaning in the heritage of what we do.

But for the modern ear are they just TOO much?

In the Princes landing and special occasions during mainly the Culloden event's that I've attended I've played piobaireachd tunes that to me in full length seem very long, and have cut for those times the middle chunk out so that it doesn't seem quite so labored.

But now on to ceol beg, or the light music.  Which are all those marchers jigs strathspeys reels hornpipes and what not, down from the slow air to the fastest jig.  Those tunes are way too often too short LOL.

So what does one like to hear played the up most, long classical tunes or a fast beat one.  Since once the pipes get going it can be a hard thing to stop LOL.

As a piper I always love feed back.

Personally, I like pibroch, but not in a long dose of half-an-hour!  5-10 minutes is just fine.
The other tunes, though, are more stirring and inspire people to fling, sword dance, and what not.  Much more fun...!

Strange, the only type of pipe music I find interesting is piobaireachd...I think it's because my first BA was in music and I actually like theme and variation pieces that go on for hours...I like listening and mentally dissecting the form and thematic development (my idea of a good time).

Then again, I'm also nuts about Handelian opera, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt   ;)

Personally, I prefer my 'pipes played fast... Pibroch ('scuze the Sassenach spelling) seems to be an acquired taste, even for folks who like the GHB. Although I do occasionally listen to Pibroch, and the more I hear, the more I appreciate it. In fact, some of it is quite stirring, haunting... try listening to "A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick" alone, in the dark, and see if the hair on yer back doesn't stand up...

Still, a fast reel on the GHB just gets me moving... they don't call it the "original rock 'n roll instrument" for nothing....

...Of course, should are modern taste be a primary concern regarding this? If piobaireachd is the fashion of the day for the pipes, then that is what ought be played, rather than playing to modern sensibilities. (the again, I come from the school of thought that it's good to occassionaly suffer a little on the order of how our historic counterparts would have suffered, perhaps the great pipes is another part of this theme). Thats my take on it - your mileage might vary.

I also am a fan of the faster tunes..not to downplay the emotion of the slower tunes.  I'm not sure if this is considered blasphemy in the piping circles but I really enjoy the versions done by Seven Nations.  A fun blend of rock with some of the classic pipe tunes.  Helps to bring in some of the fringe audience.  

I too love Seven Nations.  Bands such as those in piping circles do not seem to be taboo.  What does seem to be taboo are bands I also like, such as Dropkick Murphies, a punk band.

Punk style bands are more and more incorperating pipes into their music, which I think that should be encouraged greatly.  But quiet often listening to the music, the exicution gets muddled, and alot of the meaning of the instriment gets lost.

Moral I guess would be keep rocking, bot gaelic, and modern today stuff.  Never to forget oen without the other and of the up most, HAVE FUN with it.

Owan

To Owen I am sending you through a piobaireachd with a bit of history the history being it was played before the Massacre of Glencoe as a warning to the McDonalds
the words of the tune indicating blood was to be spilt, the warning was not heeded as we know. There is a stone in Glencoe Scotland called the Henderson stone which lies in a farmers field where the piobaireachd was played from if anyone else wants a copy I'll forward it on to them

Okay,

So now I will sway the dissuction to tradition.  Are there any pipers out there that are using all cane reeds on a sheepskin bag?  Or are there any out there who are playing or hae a very old vintage set.  I'm looking to begin restoring old sets.  And as some may or may not know that the key in which the chanter is played in has changed greatly with the current pipe makers of today.  One of the oldest that I've seen being restored is a 1870's set that I would have greatly loved the pleasure in restoring.  Pipes used to be only in the key of A and was some what flat at that, and now there's alot in the key of B now for bands and what not.  I was able to get my hands on a 1920s' chanter made by RG Lawrie and it is phonomial how different even the mellowest chanter I've played that is a recent make.  So are there any out there that are how my uncle grew up with complete tradition in their pipes, or those that think that's how it should be done compared to the advent of synthetic bags/reeds exct.

Owan

ok I stubbled upon something a few months back and final got a few cds of Michael Grey from toneczar.com and all I can say is wow.  He's a gold medalist in piobaireachd and he has mixed some fabulous tradtional styles with very modern music.  for those interested you can hear some sound bites off of toneczar where I ordered these cds from.  It's been the first style that I've been able to come across where nothing of the tradition, and exicution get muddled, everthing is very cool and lots of fast stuff as well that I just look at my hands and wonder how every time I listen to them.  A must for those piping enthusiasts to check out.

Owan

wrote on 02/10/04 at 15:59:43:

Okay,  Are there any pipers out there that are using all cane reeds on a sheepskin bag?  Or are there any out there who are playing or hae a very old vintage set. Owan

Greetings Owan,
   There are still some pipers about who stay with the old ways of hide bage and cane reeds.  My instructor for one.  I suspect they're in the minority though.  Myself, I have one set with wooden sticks and cane reeds, but a modern bag, and another set with synthetic sticks, chanter and drone reeds, but cane chanter reed and hide bag.  Guess I kind of straddle the issue.
  There's a thread on the Dunsire Bagpiping forums about vintage sets.  Doesn't seem like anyone's playing anything dating much farther back than turn of the century.
  As regards the music.  Ceol mor is the classic music of the pipes, but I suspect that ceol beag has been around just as long.  A lot of pipe tunes have been renamed over the years (e.g. - "wha wouldna' fecht for Charlie" and "wha saw the 42nd"), and a lot of the Burns' songs were reportedly set to older existing tunes.  I also believe that, just as we do today, our piping forbearers "worked out" popular songs on the pipes (those that would fit in the nine note restriction).  After all, the piper's time couldn't have been spent entirely on the battlements playing piobreach'd  to honor his chief.  I have also read somewhere of a music class referred to as "ceol meodanach" (sp?).  My understanding is that it is something more than the marches, jigs, etc.  but less than the "great music".  Possibly some of the longer airs.
  As with most types of music,  generally what I like to hear depends on how well the tune fits the occasion.

Rick, you are right, the older traditions of the reeds and bags are in such a minority.  I for one have never even played a cane drone reed, but was on a hide bag for a while and still have a sheep skin that has never even had the holes cut in it yet.  My synthetic reed experience though is pretty broad in usage.  For those reasons at this Mays event in NY I would like to hold a session like we did at last years Culloden where we as pipers get together and with all of our knowledge hack out those pesky factors that in turn can make our soundability even more great.  We had a very good responce last year, and it's something I'd like to host again.  Through the session we should be able to go through reed manipulations both drone and chanter reeds, and just hack out some of the things we as individual players kinda need to.   Which really we only have the time to touch the serface, but hey, it's gonna be a blast doing no matter what, we've got all weekend, and a little piping clinic will do us all good I think.

This is a time where we as pipers learn from eachother about ourselves and our pipes.  So it should be fun and educational :)

Owan

Owan,
  Sounds like a good time.  I missed the Culloden event last year, but I remember the "massed pipes" at Culloden 2002.  Didn't take part though, as I opted to go throw the caber instead.  We're planning on being at the NY event this year, so I hope to see you there.  This year my son happens to be posted nearby, so he'll probably come up with me, as well as my oldest grandson.  I'll let them "uphold the family honor" on the athletic field, and I'll hang out with the pipers.  
Looking forward to seeing you there
Rick

In the next update from HRH there will be info for us pipers attending the NY event.  Not only will there be the gathering of the pipers, but from last year I've gotten so much feed back from the extra piping class we did that we, myself and with the graisous aid of Caleb Gilbert be hosting a pipe maintenance/tuning/pipe manipulation class session on Sat afternoon as we did last year.  I do encourage all pipers to attend.  The update will have all the details on times and lagistics, so stay tuned for that.  The whole purpose for those that don't know is to get all of us pipers together to tackle those pescky problems we all have and with all the years combined of experience we all can contribute to help one another as pipers and friends. So be sure to stay tuned for that.  If there are any questions in the mean time feel free to post anything on your mind.

aye
Owan

For all those pipers who came together with me at the Culloden event this year, I wanted to extend my thanks to all.  I enjoyed our sessions and I hope you took as much as I did out of our jam sessions and tunning sessions as I did.  Once again thanks to all  and good playing.  Owan Of Clan Ranald

Owan,
         Culloden 2004 was a grand event.  My son, grandson and myself thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  One of the high points for me was the piping, both the playing and the learning.  Thanks for your expertise, especially in the area of balancing the chanters.  I look forward to getting together at another event.
                                              Rick

Culloden 05' is fastly approaching, I hope all is well with everyone.  I am planning on hosting a maintenence seasion for those pipers who wish to as in the past few years.  Pending on how many of us there are we should do a good gathering of the pipers again to make our presence know (like we're hard not to hear).  Are there new tunes that any would like to share to our growing repituar from previous years?  If anyone has ideas about harmonies (such as during amazing grace) and so on please come forward.  I'd love to hear any feed back that you guys have had from these last few years.  Also are there any new pipers to the ranks?

Owan

Owan,

Owan,
    I am a new bagpiper and am not up to pibroch level yet, but do you know if there are any of the comonly played tunes that were tunes that would have been played during the '45? (off topic) I would also like to know if Clan Ranald or the other Macdonald units have websites. I have been trying to find info on the Macdonald units and I have not been able to find them on the net. Thanks!

Sam

Sam,
There are alot of tunes that would be 45' related.  The best resource that I have so far for music is the Kilberry book or ceol mor (big red hardback book). In there it has tunses such as "my king has landed in moidart", "I got a kiss of the kings hand" and others.  Since all was tought by canterach (i know my spelling butchard it there) alot of tunes were lots after culloden, so most are post, but there are quite a few good ones that are perfect for the 45' to play.  

All N all just about any tune from there are great for events, for the most part only you will know the real meaning of what you are playing.  For example during the traditional soil sprinkling this past weekend in Fort eire I played the "the battle of the pass of crief".  I tend to have a nack for picking long tunes to learn, so I do simplify them for things such as that.  Most modern ears just can't take 15-20 minute tunes with keeping interest.

There are some good tutor recordings out there such as master of piobaireachd.  But nothing is better than a seasoned instructor.  If there are any highland games your way, ebst thing to do is go to the solo platforms and find out where the judge is and if they instruct, more than likely they do.  I don't know one judge that doesn't play in at least grade 1 or higher for those events so you are bound to find an outstanding instructor.

Where abouts are you located and maybe I could be of assistance there?

For the MacDonalds of Clan Ranald you can also do a search for the Butlers rangers.  Now as of yet I have only been with them at Culloden, but this past weekend we've gotten dates to go to more events.  Scott Patterson (portraying young Ranald) is who yo'd want to get in touch with if you'd like learning more about the group from there.  I beleive his e-mail is up on the buttlers ranger site, but Im not sure what the web addy is, but it will come up on a search, just do a bit of investigating.

Owan

Owan,
  Thank you for the info. I live in the Philly area, so im guessing im pretty far from you. My pipe instructer has a copy of that book, so I think I may ask if I can borrow it. It would be cool to be piper in a reenactment. I need to get people in my area into the time period. Thanks!

Sam

Sam,

Not a problem at all.  Again there's just no substitute for a good instructor.  I'm just north outta Detroit here, so yeah it's a touch of a haul, but any questions that you have do fire away.  I can tell you piping for a reenactment is alot of work, and you will get a major enurance work out piping and marching through the roughest terain you can think of.  Not to scare you off, just be ready LOL.

Any ways, any questions, again fire em off.

Owan

Ok all, it's nearing May, This is our role call for pipers for the event in PA, who will be there what tunes you've been working in the off season, how things are goign, the goods the bads, the things you wish people couldn't hear.

Hi Owan,
As plans stand at the moment, I'll be there.  Been a fairly good year.  Steady progress, although I still haven't broken into the "big music" yet.  Just started working on a strathspey, "Louden's Bonnie Woods & Braes".  Rounds out well enough to march to as well.  Looking forward to seeing you at Louden.
Sam, I might be in your area.  I'm in the People's Republic of NJ, about 5 miles due east of the Tacony Bridge.  If I can be of assistance, give me a shout.

I am as rank an amateur/beginner piper as you will ever find, now trying to figure out how to play the HGP in a wheelchair.  But I do love to hear someone like Rick and Owan play anything anytime on the pipes.  It's in the blood, don't you know!  
That being said, my exposure to both the history and playing of "the big music" (piobaireachd), like my exposure to the making, and so much better, the drinking of "the water of life" (uisge beatha--single malt), especially from the distilleries on the Hebrides Islands where they make it with traditional smokiness and boldness, has caused me to acquire a taste for, OK, and addiction to the classical, traditional, historical and purist form of playing the Highland great pipes.  I have four CDs of nothing but ceol mhor, two of the masters, Bob Nichol and Bob Brown, that I love to listen to.  I have already picked out three piobaireachd tunes that I would like to have played at my funeral.  Woe to anyone there that hasn't acquired the taste!
I think that one of the things that appeals so much to me about piobaireachd is its adaptability to the mood of the occasion for the creation of the piece.  Nothing can express the grief and sorrow of mourners during the loss of a loved one as the haunting tones evoked in some of the great laments created centuries ago.  Dancing around an open fire at a ceileidh is no short exercise and requires no short reel or strathspey on the pipes.  And marching into battle was usually no short hop, requiring  the big music to get the blood up and keep it hot.
Also, the efforts of the Chief of Clan MacLeod to preserve and pass on piobaireachd by sponsoring the MacCrimmons to teach it to succeeding generations at his castle is a wonderful part of Scottish Highland history and tradition.  And the method of instruction, learning to vocally chant the tune to learn its tempo, mood, subtleties and variations before ever attempting to play it on the pipes, makes it one of the most unique methods of instruction in a musical instruments I know of.
So, play what ye will, lads, when we gather at Fort Loudon, it will all be just grand as far as I am concerned.  But I will be very happy to pay the piper his fill of uisge beatha who would be willing to play, and play well, some piobaireachd while we are there.  Anything will do, as time is getting short to be learning any new pieces of ceol mhor at this point.  

It'll be good to see you guys again, less than a month away now I hope everyones geeked up

It was good to see you and Bill again, Owan.  Maybe next year we can get together a bit for some piping.  I succumbed to temptation this year and went down to compete in the games, so I'm not sure if you guys got togethr or not.  That tip about chilling down the plugs for the Omega reeds worked like a charm, thanks.  It really smoothed them out, even though that's directly opposed to what the manufacturer claims.

Me bonnet's doffed to all of you pipers who played so well and made the event at Fort Loudon this past weekend so much the better for it.  The battles were better with the skirl of the pipes mixed in with the bark of orders, the Highland war cries, the peel of thunder from the canon and muskets, and the clash of claymores on targes.  And the piping about of the Bonnie Prince himself, and of me good wife into our handfast ceremony added a necessary extra dimension to these portrayals that I truly hope we will never have to do without again!
One thing, though, lads.  More piobaireachd, if you please!