Future of Bagpipes Under Threat

[OC Richard]

"The future of our national instrument is under threat because if the inability of most of Scotland's councils to offer lessons in their schools...

If this worrying trend continues we won't have any future pipers and drummers..."

Yes this is absurd.

There are more people piping and Highland drumming than ever.

Yes it's nice if all schools offered lessons. But if a youngster wants to learn pipes or drums there are always teachers around, and the family can set aside the time and money required.

I will say that a single school with a good piping program can make a huge impact in an area. Near here is Glendora High School and many of the best pipers in Southern California got their start there.

[cessna152towser]

My own thoughts are that if children born in Scotland or of the Scottish diaspora are interested in learning to play a musical instrument, sooner or later they will seek out the bagpipe of their own choosing. I know several pipers who came into piping later in life after having played other instruments during their school days.
Another problem with school pipe bands is that if the bands are to enter the competition circuit, teachers or other adult leaders need to be available at weekends to go along to the competitions and supervise.
I have abiding memories of the appalling behaviour of the kids from George Watson's College Pipe Band at North Berwick Highland Games a few years ago. OK boys will be boys and will be naturally boisterous and the only harm they were doing was charging around among the crowd playing a tig tag game which unfortunately meant they kept crashing into the paying public. In my case the first kid who bumped into me crashed harmlessly off me but the second one was a tall lad and left me with a rather sore shoulder and didn't even have the manners to apologise.

[Tim Little]

Here is a link to a great little documentary on this remarkable band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbikiMAjhDM

That's quite an impressive trajectory indeed!

[vmac3205]

It's not to be missed. You will see and hear Stuart Liddell, Jack Lee, Brian Donaldson, and more....

Victoria, thanks for the heads up. I will sure try to be there.

[Dughlas mor]

@vmac3205
My brother is getting us tickets today. I`ve seen the line up, and I`m really looking forward to it. Lucky you to get to meet Stuart and learn from him this winter!

[James Hood]

'JUST learned, the banjo is the national instrument of the USA.

'Do not play one, no interest in them (guitar & electric bass), personal belief is, 1000 or more guitars are sold in the USA for every banjo.

Likely more pianos, drums, violins/violas, flutes and trumpets, as well.

Would not be personally surprised if there are more bagpipe players in the USA than banjo pickers...or at least not all that far apart.