I just showed up and volunteered.

**English Bloke** · 2nd June 11, 12:29 PM

Nice one!

**Bill aka Mole** · 2nd June 11, 02:15 PM

Thank You!

**Father Bill** · 2nd June 11, 02:56 PM

Thanks, and bless you!

**ohiopiper** · 2nd June 11, 11:22 PM

Thanks, all.

I opinied on a bagpiping forum that many parades, etc. do not have a piper because they do not know how to go about contacting pipe bands or individual pipers. We need to make ourselves available, I suggested volunteering our services for Memorial Day events, so thought it woulod be pretty hypocritical of me not to do so.

Most people want to hear at least Amazing Grace at ceremonies such as this. When i asked if they wanted me to play, there was no hesitation and no audition. I was just told where to be and when to be there.

Kinda like a lot of things in life. 75 percent is just showing up.

**saxandpipes** · 3rd June 11, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by ohiopiper

...

To be honest, I was a little disappointed that the heat affected my pipes as badly as it did, but every comment I heard was good. I think I'm overly critical of my tuning because most people claim to not like bagpipes based on having heard poorly tuned pipes. I try to have them as perfect as I can, but playing, tuning and then standing in the sun for an hour can wreak havoc on an instrument....

Firstly, well done!

Secondly, I wouldn't worry too much about the tuning- it happens, especially with the extremes of temperature... and waiting, that playing the bagpipes (outdoors) almost always encounters.

Nevertheless, people nearly always well up at the sound of the pipes at such occasions- and as many times as I hear "oh, I don't like bagpipes, they are never in tune" I hear at least 3 times as many: "Oh, I love the pipes, I always get chills when they start up".

For some reason, they just seem to be the ultimate cathartic instrument. Plus, I guess there's all the images conjured of "our boys and girls" marching off to defend peace in the world... and there's always a pipe-band, or lone-piper there somewhere. (I even have the comments here in Holland from older people about how they love the pipes, and can remember the allied forces liberating them... and having pipers marching in the streets!)

I'm sure people really appreciated, whether you heard it or not.

Cheers!

Michael