Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??

Subject: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 10:12 PM

Over the years I have always had a warm feeling for all kinds of bagpipes and have even worked on them a bit..(Not for years now). I had the luck of having a very good teacher of highland great pipes move to my town.Sadly though with playing out and keeping the pottery open on the weekends I never had the time to march with the group I worked with and so gave it up. A little later I tried a set of Northumberland pipes that I just loved and for a while even worked them into our shows but without people to play with I finaly sold them; gosh probably 13 years ago.. I thought it would be fun to ask what style pipes,people at the Mudcat are drawn to.. All th

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 10:18 PM

Guy, I confess to a love of all bagpipe music.Yours,Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 10:20 PM

Oh man, I love ALL kinds of pipes, each for their special qualities. I LOVE Highland pipes, especially (I know, I know) when backed with military brass band or orchestra...I love Uillean pipes..Northumbrians are so sweet...I ADORE biniou, though my family thinks otherwise!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 10:30 PM

There are so many types of pipes and I get very confused over which is which. My favourite is the Uillean pipes and I like the Northumbrian pipes. I also heard a set of what I think were highland small pipes that had a lovely sweet tone, similar to the Northumbrian pipes but slightly louder and (not quite sure how to describe it) with a sort of fuller and more rounded tone.

I am not a big fan of the great highland pipes but I don't mind hearing them outside. I have come across a few sets of pipes that to me have just made unplesant piercing and rasping sounds. I think that one such set was a lowlands pipe and another one may even have been Welsh or was it French... like I say, I get confused.

Jon

Subject: RE: Favourite flavour of Bagpipes??
From:
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 07:30 AM

I tend to like all the ones I have heard. But by no means have I heard all of the types ofbagpipes currently in play around the world.

Apparently in France (perhaps Brittany), they have a MAJOR pipe get-together, where all types of pipes come together.

The ones I am used to hearing here (Nova Scotia), are Lowlands, Irish, Uillean, Great/Highland.

You mention the Highland pipe and march, well, don't forget they worked great as a dance instrument. There are a few people in living memory who rememeber the pipes being played for dances in Cape Breton and Eastern Nova Scotia.

Apparently it was a totally different way of playing, that is being brought back, hopefully. One of the strongest proponents of this type of music is Barry Shears. He has experience as a marching band type player.

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Caitrin
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 10:32 AM

I like chocolate bagpipes.
SOrry...couldn't resist.
Actually, I like the Highland pipes. There's nothing worse than a set of badly played great pipes, true. However, I first heard them at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, out on a mountainside in perfect weather. Lovely.

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Mudjack
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 12:45 PM

Uillean pipes (Irish I believe)are my favorite to listen to. The others from a distance, like the other side of the hill. It is no wonder that the Highland pipes were used as a pyschological weapon against it's enemies in battle. But they still are beautiful to hear.> Mudjack

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: BlueJay
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 12:55 PM

Highland pipes, out of respect for one of my childhood friends and mentors, Roy Hess. His wife taught me piano. He was my school principal for a time, and ended up as Superintendant of Schools. He never missed a local parade, concert, funeral or other event when he was asked. Wonderful local character, and a big musical influence. I can't play even a pennywhistle, much less the pipes, but Roy and his wife were both big musical as well as civic influences in my life. I appreciate the humor behind all of the "bagpipe jokes", but there's a small, wistful part of me...

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 03:58 PM

I'll admit, I prefer the Mid-Eastern pipes to the things that they've become in Northern Europe, but of the N. European, Uillean are my favorites...

I have a minimum distance tolerance for Highland pipes, being 2 mysty mountains or one Loc lengthwise... And closer and they sound much like a baby being beaten to death with a cat...

My 0.02

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: GUEST,Rich(stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn't.........)
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 05:16 PM

I really love the sound of a set od Uillean pipes in a set of capable hands. Highland pipes sound nice up on a hill outside somewhere. Way, way, way up on a hill somewhere. Sorry I couldn't resist, but I reallly hate Highland pipes played indoors. Just because the piper's rendered himself deaf doesn't make it right to do the same to everybody in the room Rich

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: GUEST,Neil Macdonald
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 07:08 PM

As a congenital piper I have to say that I like cauld wind pipes (Scottish smallpipes, bellows blown) best. Mind you my Grandfather, who taught me to play, would be spinning in his grave hearing me say that (except he can't because we cremated him). I have to say that the people who don't like highland pipes are probably listening to the wrong people playing them. If there's one instrument that an incompetent player can really do some sonic damage with it's the highland bagpipes. Oh, and if you don't like them indoors it probably means the ceiling of the room is too low and you're getting overpowered by the drones.

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 08:12 PM

Hey, I got some "baby bagpipes" at the RenFaire today, so LOOK OUT HEARME! Um...just as soon as I learn to squeeze 'em right!

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 08:28 PM

My favorite--Uillieans. Favorite Memory: Daughter Kate at age 9 sitting under a table 2" from the dance/performance floor at Estes Park Highland Games, just before the Pipe Band came on to play in a very small room with a very low ceiling. I went to her and said "Honey, you might want to move", she said "NO!" Then, 50+ pipers and drums not 2" from her (I did back up several feet!)I watched her face go from surprise to absolute JOY! And she still loves highland pipes, even if she won't admit it......(sez she likes marilyn manson-------shudddder!)

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Marion
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 11:07 PM

Does anyone know of a website that would provide some orientation to the different kinds of pipes - what they look like, what they sound like, how they're operated?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 12:23 AM

Recently on the radio, I heard a piper playing modern (fusion?) music with a combo and thought he was quite original. The remark was made that his work was disliked by "old school" pipers. I didn't catch his name but would like to hear more. He was Scottish. Could anyone supply me with the group's name?

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: O'Trasno
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 01:27 AM

Hi Marion, You might fancy a browse through a wee down-home site in Scotland < www.goodacrepipes.mcmail.com > to see how the different pipes look (none of yer fancy MP3 stuff here you know!)

and Dicho: Your "innovative" piper would most likely be Martyn Bennet who records lots of stuff with loops,effects etc. His group is called "Coolfin" or something like that,though he has released solo material under his own name. y hecho

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: smallpiper
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 08:32 AM

My favourite are the scottish small pipes (justincaseyoucan'tguess) followed by the border pipes which have a similar sound but more volume. The highland pipes indoors - depends on just how good the player is and the height of the cieling as has already been said. Anyone looking for sites might like to try www.netreal.co.uk/lbps lots of info and links cheers John

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: English Jon
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 09:10 AM

My mate Mike has a set of English pipes made by Jon Swayne of Blowzabella. They can do about an octave and a half with most of the accidentals to play in G major or Minor. C is possibe, but tricky, and A minor is O.K. but you've still got a G drone, which I love (but not everyone would agree!). Goodacres pipes are fabulous. I want a set of Leicestershire pipes in D, but my bank manager won't let me just yet.

Also check out Dave marshall of Ancestral Instruments. There's a website out there somewhere. Don't know the URL off the top of my head. He makes some very wierd and wonderful pipes.

Still researching Schoenberg's 12 tone set.

EJ

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 10:06 AM

I am not a piper. I have piping friends including one who plays many different kinds. I like the Northumbrian small pipes because they are easiest to jam with.

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 10:35 AM

I like 'em all - Highland in particular but especialy played along with other instruments, like they do in Runrig or Battlefield.

Flavour is an interesting turn of phrase with the pipes. My old mate, Adam Stewart, sadly departed now - rest his soul, used to play in an RAF pipe and drum band in the 50's. He reckoned there was nothing like the fumes given off by the bag of the highland pipes to clear your tubes on a frosty morning. To seal and soften them they were aparantly treated with a mixture of Scotch whisky and black treacle (or 'trickel' as he pronounced it) The measure of whisky that was used was of course followed by an equal measure for the piper:-)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: 8_Pints
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 11:40 AM

This a bit like like asking which is your favourite orchestral instrument.

All are good played well, and some are sweeter on the ear than others.

I think it was Kathryn Tickell I heard respond to a question about the difference between the Great Highland Bagpipes and the Northumbrian Small Pipes ...

.... "the latter are a musical instrument" said she!

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: weepiper
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 03:52 PM

I love 'em all! from a being able to play them point of view it has to be Scottish small pipes but I hanker towards Border pipes too. For sheer eeriness it goes to Bulgarian/Croatian/Macedonian etc Kaba Gaita (I dunno if that's how you spell it), which has a chanter with a single tongued reed like the drone reed in most well known kinds of pipes, not a double tongued reed which is what most pipe chanters use. It also has a massive four foot drone which hangs down to the floor, you got to hear this to believe it. I can't remember how to make the blueclicky but go here to see all sorts of interesting pipes, also bombarde/biniou type stuff and baroque fiddles etc: www.ancestral.co.uk/bagpipes.htm. Have fun!

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: 8_Pints
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 05:11 PM

Marion,

Try http://www.hotpipes.com/album.html to get a variety of different pipe instruments and styles.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: John Routledge
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 05:33 PM

For indoor use it is difficult to surpass Northumbrian Smallpipes. I may be biased however. Good Piping - John

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 10:55 PM

Thanks, O'Trasno for the Bennet and Coolfin names. I have so far only uillean piping in my collection. Recently got the Seivane cd. Any recommendations from anyone on Northumbrian piping?

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 10:58 PM

barbequed, definitly barbequed. With plenty of sauce!

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: 8_Pints
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 08:16 AM

Dicho,

I would recommend:

"By Land and Sea" Pauline Cat & Tom McConville (TCCD1)

"The Northumberland Collection" Kathryn Tickell (PRKCD42)

"Ground work" The Houseband [Jimmy Young] (GLCD 1132)

Let us know what you think of them. :-)

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: English Jon
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 08:55 AM

Try and get some Billy Pig! Fantastic articulation.

EJ

Subject: RE: Faverite flaver of Bagpipes??
From: O'Trasno
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 09:16 AM

What is it about the pipes?people either love 'em or hate 'em,there doesn't seem to be much centre ground. Perhaps the sound takes us back to some primal state;echoing the sound of prehistoric beasts bellowing in the murky swamps! (jazzers get the same buzz from a wailing tenor sax - must be the same frequency range)

Me,i love 'em all...as long as they're well played.What kind of music do YOU like?Answer:GOOD music!