I got a bombarde!

Subject: I got a bombarde!
From: MBSLynne
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:01 PM

Just received a late Christmas pressie...a bombarde!! Can't play it yet, any hints? (I think I can predict some of them!)

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Micca
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:08 PM

Probably a good one is NOT in Confined spaces, Like Indoors in anywhere smaller than a Barn without You wearing Ear Defenders!!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,PnG
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:11 PM

Time for a quick blow?

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:17 PM

They take a heck of a lot of concentration just to produce a note. This doesn't leave much thinking power left over for playing tunes.
I never get around to practicing mine mostly due to the volume of the notes produced.
If you have a friendly open field miles from human habitation you might do better.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:42 PM

Incoming!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 06:04 PM

I was at Bampton this year and entertained hugely by some Breton Bombardiers. The bar had become too noisy for even the assembled accordian players when the bombards burst in and blew everyone away.

They play in pairs because it takes so much effort to play a line of melody that they take turns and play either call and response or call and echo pattern.

So you need to get another bombardier and then you can really make some noise.

Happy New Year by the way,
LOve Robbie

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Emma B
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 06:28 PM

Robbie - the only good Bombadier is from Charles Wells !

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 06:55 PM

Before you play it you have to temper it first, by immersing in cold water.

About 10 years should do it.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 07:04 PM

Keep Quiet about it - IF you can !!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: gnomad
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 07:29 PM

Years back on Cleethorpes pier I saw a bombarde player explain about the playing in pairs. He then pointed out that there was only the one of him, and launched into Monck's March, solo.

About 90 seconds in he started to move around the stage with a gallant approximation of the steps of the relevant morris dance, still playing. By about 2 minutes he was bright red, with veins standing out in a fashion to alarm even the most laid back spectator. He stopped before any visible damage was done (I'm less sure about damage to anybody's hearing). I don't recall who the man was, but I do remember being impressed with the sheer effort that went into the performance.

Anybody out there remember the incident, and who it was?

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 08:06 PM

To see and hear a bombarde, click here.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 08:32 PM

Mine is in Si Bemol
What's yours???
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Little Robyn
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:41 PM

Very interesting Allan but OUCH! My ears are sore! Still ringing!
Robyn

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: mandotim
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:24 AM

You might try a pm to moonunit (Jude from Isambarde) who is an absolute whiz on the instrument, although Human Rights legislation prevents her from playing it near other people. Excellent instrument for signalling over very long distances, clearing ear wax or discouraging the massed ranks of melodeon and/or banjo players.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:27 AM

Jon's got one too. He's had it for many years. He also has the breton small pipes that go with it. Minor problems are
1. not enough breath
2.getting the reeds
3. annoying the neighbours ~ there again that's not a problem now as the cows just think it's another cow in labour!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Dick The Box
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:43 AM

I know, I could hear you in Ashby. Or else it was the neighbours ripping the cat's legs off. Again.

On a serious note, have a look at Derby Folk. Should be useful for advertising your quarter sessions and anything else. Dates can go on the calendar.

Cheers,

Richard

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:12 AM

Gargoyle, A bombarde is a musical instrument whether you like it or not. This thread is in the right place.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:24 AM

Manitas is quite correct.
The bombarde is an instrument which uses a small volume of air at very high pressure compared with most other instruments. A large part of its difficulty is the actual production of the notes long enough to actually play anything and the amount of concentration needed to keep a sustained note. It takes a lot of muscular control of breathing, throat and lips to play at all, never mind play well.
Fingering is essentially similar to a tin whistle, but despite the fact that I have played whistle for about 30 years, I still find it difficult to play tunes on bombarde which I would do with hardly a thought if I was blowing a whistle. I daresay practice would improve this, but the volume of the instrument makes it difficult to find a time to play when I would not disturb other people.
This thread asks a serious question about a serious instrument (and this is a SERIOUS instrument - not to be taken lightly) and deserves to be given proper consideration.
As for music to play, there is an amount of French music on the Web, so a search will find at least some of it. The main problem with a web search is that a vast number of tunes are named "An Dro" or "Hanter Dro", which describes the type of dance which fits them rather than a tune having an identifiabe name - imagine if O'Neill's music of Ireland just listed every polka as "Polka" rather than "Dennis Murphy's Polka" etc.

Right then folks - any sensible or serious comments to make?
Just remember Lynne - people may make fun of the bombarde, but they will think again when their ears start to bleed ;@)
Quack!
Geoff the Duck (heading off to practice "Silent Night" for next Christmas...)

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:15 AM

I'd rather go 10 rounds with this man than stand next to a Bombardiere in full blow mode.
Giok

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 08:54 AM

By the way, I recognise the tune in the sound clip. It's called "Tourdion". Some friends of mine, Ricarda and Nick, who are having a CD launch at my folk club next month as Wayward, perform it - it's a drinking song. Ricarda always adds a verse and chorus in English, which goes:

When I drink a good red wine,
Everything turns turns turns turns around,
Come my friends and pour it in
Pour it in, pour it in. (repeat)

Sing and drink (this is where we all thump the table)
Let us set about this bottle
Sing and drink, come and pour it in. (repeat)

And here are the original words:

Tourdion

Melody - Melody - Anonyme-publié en 1530 par Pierre Attaingnant

|: Quand je bois du vin clairet,
   Ami tout tourne, tourne, tourne, tourne,
   Aussi désormais je bois Anjou ou Arbois, :|
|: Chantons et buvons, à ce flacon faisons la guerre,
   Chantons et buvons, les amis, buvons donc! :|
Quand je bois du vin clairet,
Ami tout tourne, tourne, tourne, tourne,
Aussi désormais je bois Anjou ou Arbois.

Buvons bien, là buvons donc
A ce flacon faisons la guerre.
Buvons bien, là buvons donc
Ami, trinquons, gaiement chantons.
|: En mangeant d'un gras jambon,
   À ce flacon faisons la guerre!

Buvons bien, buvons mes amis,
Trinquons, buvons, vidons nos verres.
Buvons bien, buvons mes amis,
Trinquons, buvons, gaiement chantons.
|: En mangeant d'un gras jambon,
   À ce flacon faisons la guerre!

Le bon vin nous a rendus gais, chantons,
Oublions nos peines, chantons.

They mainly play the hurdy gurdy and pipes, but they have an amazing array of other mediaeval instruments - I think they even have a bombarde!

Jenny

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Gedpipes
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:29 PM

Lynne
I hope you enjoy it. Its a fascinating instrument but a lot of hard work.
Cheers

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:49 PM

Lynne,

Please don't practice on the campsite at Sidmouth.

Your recorder and Richards clarinet are fine but a Bombarde! Good grief!

Only playing really - If you can get to grips with it The Radway will enjoy it I'm sure.

Dave

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: muppitz
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:58 PM

Ain't never seen Jude playing her "little oboe" but I do remember John Skelton from, the now disbanded, House Band (John, Ged Foley and Chris Parkinson) playing his on many occasions, I used to watch in awe.

He used to tell the story of him first bringing it back from the South of France; the Customs officer asked him what it was and proceeded to escort John onto the back room when the first syllable left his mouth (i.e. 'bomb'-arde). John then explained that it was a musical instrument from the South of France, the customs officer wanted a demonstration, which in hindsight was probably not a good idea in that 'little back room'!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: beardedbruce
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:10 PM

http://www.studybuddy.nl/nederlands/bombarde.html

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:38 PM

Congratulations! It's going to sound silly, but I always had a habit of inverting my lips and pressing down with my teeth; basically I walked around looking like I was playing the bombarde without actually having one with me (or like I was toothless...). It came in very useful once I discovered the bombarde, because I already had the muscle strength in my face to play it. Maybe you want to take up my stupid-looking habit?

You'll find that you have a very short time to practice at first, due to lung capacity/pressure headache/cheek fatigue. But if you stick with it, you do develop endurance.

The most difficult part of learning to play? Finding a place where people didn't come running as soon as the first note sounded.

I don't know how much experience you have with reed instruments...you have to wet the reed (by mouth is best, as it doesn't soak up too much water) for about ten minutes before it will be soft enough for you to produce sound.



Enjoy your beautiful new bombarde!

Kim

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 11:08 PM

I'm at work and can't check if the downloads on the site work, but this clicky goes to an album by Christophe Caron, who introduced me to the bombarde and gave me my first couple of lessons.

http://www.jamlabel.com/jamlabel/Artiste.do?idArt=154&idAlbF=50

The album can get a little tedious, as it is strictly the organ and bombarde, but if you want to hear the "magician of the bombarde" (as he was called in one article I found) in action, you HAVE to listen. He makes the bombarde sound gorgeous, and he could play that instrument all day without getting tired. Amazing.

I was so sad to find in my searches on the web that Christophe passed away just about a year ago. What a loss to the French music scene.

Kim

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 11:14 PM

Well, the stupid clicky doesn't work, but if you cut and paste you do go to the right place.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Pauline L
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 11:58 PM

I'm having a problem with the audio on my computer. It's something with the amplification. All the audio is just barely audible, so I thought it would be safe for me to check the link provided by Allan C. Not so. I heard it loud and clear.


I used to know a Scotsman who sailed across the Atlantic with two friends. He brought his Highland pipes because "What better place to practice than in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean"? I suppose that applies to bombarde, too.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 05:43 AM

Not easy for the 'two friends' to get out of earshot though.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Rolf
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 08:03 AM

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Rolf H.
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 08:06 AM

save yourselves a lot of trouble and hard work mates..

its exactly the same sound as the easy to play
and very affordable

stylophone !!!!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 04:03 PM

I have fond memories of walking in late to a Mariposa Festival in Ontario in the foggy evening, guided in my the dulcet tones of a pair of bombards being played by Rare Air (or the same group by their former name). This most have been back in the 1970's.

Do have fun with your new and unique instrument.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: lady penelope
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 05:14 PM

It was somewhat impressive when the Giant followers from Catalania all got on their bombards to serenade the giants. Luckily we were outside in a large town square in Manchester. 30 of them going off at once is something you don't forget, but being into heavy metal, I found the effect dreadfully pleasing.

It's always the problem for any instrument that carries (soundwise) - how do you practice it long enough to become good at it without becoming a social paraiah in the process? It's bad enough trying to get decent singing practice in!

Good luck tae ya Lynn!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:36 AM

Another link for the more traditional sound of the bombarde:

http://jluclml.club.fr/english.html

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:51 AM

Perhaps you could lend it to Phot to take to Iraq, could shorten the conflict!

RtS

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 10:41 AM

I'm sitting here looking longingly at my beautiful bombarde - I had stroke and can't play the thing now. It was made by Camac and I saw it in a music shop in Lorient, Brittany. The most beautiful sound I ever heard was a bombarde player and a biniou (small high-pitched bagpipe) player tuning up for their first stint at a fest-noz - just bloody marvellous!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 10:56 AM

Got it! It was Jean Baron and Christian Anniex. Jean played the bombarde and Christian played the biniou-koz.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 11:01 AM

On one of our ferry gigs (Cork/Roscoff) we were in the copmpany of Two Breton Bands , one of which had an EIGHT Bombarde section to go with the pipes and drums ! Fine on the afterdeck , but a LITTTLE loud in the Bar .

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: JennyO
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 11:27 PM

GUEST, Pelrad, I LOVE the music on your link. The combination of the biniou-koz and the bombarde is wonderful! I wish that group Jacal would come down to our part of the world!

Meanwhile, our local group, Wayward, do have pipes and bombarde, but unfortunately I haven't heard them together, because Nick plays them both, and obviously not at the same time. We need to do something about that!

Jenny

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 09:40 AM

Do you mean Catalonia, Lady Penelope? Or, in the Catalan language (Catala) Catalunya?

They are grailles - part of the family of bombardes, but different! You kept refering to "giants" - the Catalans build incredible towers of people, called (I think) castellets. Sometimes these castellets may reach five or even six, each one standing on another one's shoulders. I saw these in south-western France, and the grailles played a fanfare. Amazing stuff!

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 10:17 AM

I think she meant processional giants - about 12-14 feet high, and carried in processions. There are lots in northern Spain/Catalunya,Basque country, and also in northern France, the Netherlands, England ... and many other countries.
http://www.giants.org.uk/bigg/

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: MBSLynne
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 11:15 AM

Thanks for all the comments guys. The sounde clip thingies are brilliant, really makes me want to learn to play it, but I am finding it very difficult! Practising is not a problem as I'm on my own in the house during the day and all the neighbours are out at work too! I think it may be some time before it will be ready for public performance

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 11:57 AM

The giants Lady P referred to came from Manresa, mear Barcelona, I believe and were made by the same maker who made the Manchester Giants. Apart from the Sardana the other typical band of the region is a band of graillas played in much the same way as a Breton Bagad but I don't think they need to be played in relays like the Bombarde. I have one in G (now out on loan) which I understand is the usual pitch.

A load of us, including Lady P and Parker, Micca and LTS went over to a giant festival in Matadepera a few years back. There were over 600 giants from all over Europe and even a Japanese rice god that was hauled by dozens of impressed (as in press-ganged) children with a man standing on his shoulder to circumvent problems with overhead wires.

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 03:31 PM

http://www.bombardier-atv.com/

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde! Me too
From: GUEST,nik
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 09:05 AM

Hello everybody

I play the bombarde in our german pipeband *glencoe-highlanders.de*

It takes

* a good instrument * a good reed and * some years of practice

to be able to produce nice, loud tunes on the bombarde. Then, especcially in Bretagne, France the players are able to play for hours in Kan an Diskan-Dialogue with the binou, another bombarde or even an church-organ. Strange, but they play with amplification at the festou-noz.

If you want to learn more visit our website www.glencoe-highlanders.de and contact me: Nik

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: MBSLynne
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 12:11 PM

Well I hadn't managed to get more than about three notes out of it before my lips went funny and I ran out of breath, but I took it to Miskin, and dear Jude from Isambarde, who is a whizz with these sort of things, shaved my reed for me, and now I can actually get a tune out of it! It doesn't sound good yet (if it ever will!) but it's an improvement. Thanks so much Jude!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: I got a bombarde!
From: Moonunit
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 04:01 PM

That's a fine bombarde you've got there Lynne. I can make yours go loud AND soft (well, maybe loud and a little less loud), which is more volume control than I can get out of mine.

My bombie is either on or off (methinks the band think it sounds off, but hey ho).

If you need more reed scraping, then corner me next time we meet. You can hack away a good lot of cane from a bombarde reed and not have to worry about the impact on the sound!!

Peace and bombardes
Jude x