Year: 2011

Can Christmas Carols be played on the pipes?

The short answer is Yes, they can. Like playing a christmas carol on the flute or trumpet, the melody for many carols will fit within the notes available to the chanter. One potential problem is that the pipes are either on or off, and not switched between the two (usually) during a song or tune. … Continue reading “Can Christmas Carols be played on the pipes?”

            The short answer is Yes, they can.  Like playing a christmas carol on the flute or trumpet, the melody for many carols will fit within the notes available to the chanter.  One potential problem is that the pipes are either on or off, and not switched between the two (usually) during a song or tune.  And we only have 1 key.  So many carols can be forced to fit, but I would suggest without the backing of a choir, orchestra, or at least organ there will be large gaps in the tune as played on the pipes.

Another unanswered question is should the carols be played on the pipes.

Piping as a member of a pipeband

I just returned from the first performance i have done as a member of a pipe band in 13 years.  Considering that the band itself is rebuilding, and that over half the players are new to the band (and I believe today was the first day most of us played with the band as a … Continue reading “Piping as a member of a pipeband”

            I just returned from the first performance i have done as a member of a pipe band in 13 years.  Considering that the band itself is rebuilding, and that over half the players are new to the band (and I believe today was the first day most of us played with the band as a whole) we sounded good.  We performed at the Chapelhow legion.

It was like riding a bike – you never truly forget how.  But the sheer volume and energy of the band when playing in the circle was awesome.

Just returned from being recorded for the Radio

The Range (106.1) in Airdrie asked me to record the lament for them to play on Friday.  It is now a digital file, as well as a video file.  They will post the video on Friday as well.  To see me dressed up in my kilt and piping, check out <a title=”The Range ” href=”http://www.therangeonline.ca”>their … Continue reading “Just returned from being recorded for the Radio”

            The Range (106.1) in Airdrie asked me to record the lament for them to play on Friday.  It is now a digital file, as well as a video file.  They will post the video on Friday as well.  To see me dressed up in my kilt and piping, check out <a title="The Range " href="http://www.therangeonline.ca">their website</a>.

Remembrance Day 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (2011)

I will be piping for the Airdrie Legion Remembrance Day ceremony. I am pretty sure it is at Genesys place (East Lake – Rec centre in Airdrie) again, though I need to confirm that. Hope to see you there! The parade will start at about 1030 so that the 2 minutes of silence will occur … Continue reading “Remembrance Day 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (2011)”

            I will be piping for the Airdrie Legion Remembrance Day ceremony.  I am pretty sure it is at Genesys place (East Lake - Rec centre in Airdrie) again, though I need to confirm that.  Hope to see you there!

The parade will start at about 1030 so that the 2 minutes of silence will occur at 1100.

Celtic Folk – various amateur Celtic performers

Celtic Folk holds 4 gatherings a year, and the 2011-2012 year is about to start.  The first night is September 24th.  Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door.  Further details can be found at <a href=”http://www.celticfolkcalgary.ca/”>their website</a>. I was a guest performer at Celtic Folk for their November 2010 gathering.   During the … Continue reading “Celtic Folk – various amateur Celtic performers”

            Celtic Folk holds 4 gatherings a year, and the 2011-2012 year is about to start.  The first night is September 24th.  Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door.  Further details can be found at <a href="http://www.celticfolkcalgary.ca/">their website</a>.

I was a guest performer at Celtic Folk for their November 2010 gathering.   During the 2010-2011 season, they had a large number of soloists and groups performing.  Most groups perform common (within the Celtic community that is) tunes, and you will find the audience singing along with the performers.  For my performance, I intentionally chose tunes I knew to have words, and I wasn’t disappointed as the audience sang along as I piped.  Many of the performers are guitars and vocals, and a few of them could give Great Big Sea and the likes a run for their money.  One night they even had some step dancers perform.

Their house band, who play the first hour of every gathering, is the Sunday Night Band.  They are definitely one of the groups that could challenge GBS, especially live.  Their fiddle player can play the jigs and hornpipes with the best of them, making many a piper envious with the finger control demonstrated.

Hope to see you at their events!

With the competition season done, now what?

<h1>With the competition season done, now what are your plans?</h1> Are you taking your competition results and feedback, and working to improve for next year?  Have you decided to take a bit of a rest before starting working towards next year’s competitions?  Have you sworn off competing and instead going to find a street band … Continue reading “With the competition season done, now what?”

            <h1>With the competition season done, now what are your plans?</h1>

Are you taking your competition results and feedback, and working to improve for next year?  Have you decided to take a bit of a rest before starting working towards next year’s competitions?  Have you sworn off competing and instead going to find a street band to play with?

My last competition

I haven’t competed in several years.  My last piping competition was really to find out if I was really as good as I thought.  While I didn’t place, I didn’t expect too either.  In fact, the comments and feedback I did receive confirmed, in my mind at least, that I had correctly judged my own level.

My Winter Plan

I have a few strings to my bow, as they say.

I plan to work out a new set list, and then practice and record the sets.  First step is to find the wayward Scots Guard  books.

Secondly, I have a number of beginner pipers that I am training.  Instilling the basics and good habits will remain a priority.  Also having them blow pipes, be them my own  or their own is right up there.  I don’t believe you should play the practice chanter for 2 years before seeing a set of pipes.  Lesson four or five is as good a time as any to start blowing drones.

Thirdly, I intend to write some more lessons articles, especially focusing on bagpipe maintenance.  Now that competitions are finished, it is a good time to replace bags, break in new reeds, fix cracks and re-hemp joints.

 

Reeds falling into a bag seasoned with SilSeal

<h1>Reeds and SilSeal do not mix!</h1> This is a heads up, do your utmost best to not let drone reeds fall into your leather bag that is seasoned with SilSeal.  SilSeal is a great sealing agent.  It works so well it also seals your reed’s tongue so that it will not vibrate.  Nothing worse than … Continue reading “Reeds falling into a bag seasoned with SilSeal”

            <h1>Reeds and SilSeal do not mix!</h1>

This is a heads up, do your utmost best to not let drone reeds fall into your leather bag that is seasoned with SilSeal.  SilSeal is a great sealing agent.  It works so well it also seals your reed’s tongue so that it will not vibrate.  Nothing worse than having the reed fall out just as you are warming up for a performance 🙁

How do you fixing the SilSeal’ed reed?

Unfortunately, it will take a bit of time and effort.  First step is to wipe off all of the excess SilSeal. If you’ve been playing a lot recently, this could be a fair amount as the moisture in your breath (ok, spit really) will soften the SilSeal turning it into a nice goop.

Next, let the reed and the remaining SilSeal dry out.  Out of the bag, in either your pipe case or even better sitting on a counter on a paper towel.

Next, see if the tongue will vibrate.  Chances are it is stuck to the reed.  You may need to pry it open.  You may even need to sand the tongue/groove a tiny bit.  If so, use very very fine sand paper.  You want it nice and smooth.  A rough sand paper will leave burrs, gouges, etc.

Now see if it vibrates.  If not, see my pages on reed maintenance.

Repairing a cracked and leaking stock

<h1>Repairing a cracked and leaking stock</h1> Have you found that your pipes are taking a lot of air to play?  Can you feel the blast of air leaking out of a stock?  Fortunately, these are relatively simple to repair.   Assuming you have identified the one that is leaking: Take your stock stoppers (aka corks) … Continue reading “Repairing a cracked and leaking stock”

            <h1>Repairing a cracked and leaking stock</h1>

Have you found that your pipes are taking a lot of air to play?  Can you feel the blast of air leaking out of a stock?  Fortunately, these are relatively simple to repair.

 

Assuming you have identified the one that is leaking:

  1. Take your stock stoppers (aka corks) and stop all stocks except your blowstick and the leaking stock.
  2. Find the exact location of the crack or hole in the stock.
  3. Take some wood glue and on the inside of the stock along the crack or hole, place a bead of the glue.
  4. Stop off the stock, and blow up the bag until it is full.  The air pressure will push the glue into the crack.
  5. Let sit.  Let the glue dry.
  6. Unstop everything, reassemble your pipes, and play.

It is important to use wood glue and not school glue.  School glue goes soft again when wet, so won’t do the trick the next time you play.  The wood glue will seal the crack/hole once it has dried.