Semple approach to Traditional Highland Dress

[EagleJCS]

One would think a professional composer would have an awareness of keys, no?

Off topic:
This reminds me of other issues pipers face, like volume.

Potential client (PC): "Can't you just blow softer?"
Bagpiper (BP): "No, this is a reeded instrument and the reeds require a certain amount of air pressure to make sound. That produces a louder volume."
PC: "But <insert instance of recorded pipes played over a movie scene or on television> was quiet!"
BP: "Yes, and that was a recording, not live. If you want a similar effect, use a recording or have me play at a distance."
PC: "But, but, I want a live piper right there!"
BP, realizing PC wants the spectacle more than the music: "Let me direct you to <the next piper that does gigs in the area>. Maybe they can help you."


On topic:
Peter, I always thought the Duke of Argyll looked more authentic in his attire than did the rest of the tartan-wearing cast, even before I started learning about tartans and my own Scottish heritage*. Well done, and thank you. What most of the kilt-wearing cast wore appeared to be an awkward mishmash that they weren't sure what to do with and were not entirely comfortable wearing, instead of clothing they grew up wearing and had seen their elders wearing before them.

*(My own Scottish-ness is still somewhat in doubt, even though my surname is Scott. We haven't been able to follow the line back to the British Isles pre-1740 yet.)

[jsrnephdoc]

Off topic:
This reminds me of other issues pipers face, like volume.

Potential client (PC): "Can't you just blow softer?"

I could have done that when I (sort of) learned to play the pipes in my college's band, but with the obvious unimpressive expected outcome. I DID manage to learn 3 marches on the practice chanter, but I couldn't keep the bag inflated unless I plugged the drones with wine corks!

Fortunately, we had a REALLY talented Pipe Major. He was also an intercollegiate swimmer, and he happily regaled us about a drunken swimmer's party he attended WITH his pipes at a little university 40 miles south of us (athletic mascot: "Handsome Dan.)" One of ITS swimmers was a very famous Olympic Medalist (Don Schollander), and I was happy to learn that HE couldn't keep the bag inflated, either (of course, in Schollander's case, the problem likely was situational, related to the "nutrients" available at the party.

[OC Richard]

This reminds me of other issues pipers face, like volume.
Potential client (PC): "Can't you just blow softer?"
Bagpiper (BP):"No, this is a reed instrument and the reeds require a certain amount of air pressure to make sound..."
PC:"But <insert instance of recorded pipes played over a movie scene or on television> was quiet!"
BP:"Yes, and that was a recording, not live. If you want a similar effect, use a recording or have me play at a distance."
PC:"But I want a live piper right there!"

Oi oi. Been there!

Some sidelights:

1) I also play Scottish Smallpipes and Uilleann pipes so I'll mention these as alternatives.
I recently did a gig that was Smallpipes only, a whisky tasting in an intimate small-pub setting. There have been quite a few gigs over the years which ended up being Smallpipes only.

2) I have two sets of Highland pipes, one at 480-484 for the Pipe Band, the other at 466 for playing with pipe organ etc. I've sound that the 466 set is easier on people's ears, and I'll usually play those for indoor things that don't require smallpipes.

3) From at least c1780 to c1930 all the leading pipe makers offered pipes in three volume levels. They wouldn't have considered playing the big pipes indoors! It wasn't until the 1930s that all the leading makers dropped the smaller sizes/softer-sounding pipes from their price lists.

"Let me direct you to <the next piper that does gigs in the area>. Maybe they can help you."

That sounds like my strategy!

I have the number of a very good piper who charges twice what all the other pipers charge. I give his number to clients who say I'm charging too much.

I have the number of a very good piper who is a short-tempered and has no patience for high-maintenance people. I give his number to clients who are high-maintenance people.