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  1. #1
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    My two cents as a non-piper, just listening:

    I have a friend who is a top notch piper with credentials up the wazoo, many prizes and awards for her talents. We will be somewhere and she will say,"That is a really bad piper." My response is usually "Really?" At this point, my pipe music ear can't tell the difference. I am learning tho and am beginning to pick up and some of the really major errors. Still and all, I have a hard time knowing what is good playing and what is bad overall. I guess it is something you need to be around for some time to begin to know what is good or bad. On the other hand, we were at a German Fest and i commented on the band that was playing saying it was a really bad ompah-pah band - her response was "Really?" I guess it's all in ones background.

  2. #2
    macwilkin is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Celtic Gypsy View Post
    My two cents as a non-piper, just listening:

    I have a friend who is a top notch piper with credentials up the wazoo, many prizes and awards for her talents. We will be somewhere and she will say,"That is a really bad piper." My response is usually "Really?" At this point, my pipe music ear can't tell the difference. I am learning tho and am beginning to pick up and some of the really major errors. Still and all, I have a hard time knowing what is good playing and what is bad overall. I guess it is something you need to be around for some time to begin to know what is good or bad. On the other hand, we were at a German Fest and i commented on the band that was playing saying it was a really bad ompah-pah band - her response was "Really?" I guess it's all in ones background.
    Reminds me of the oft-told story of a Russian general who was invited to the officer's mess of a Highland regiment during the Second World War. As the pipers began to play and march around the table, as is custom in the mess, the general began drumming his fingers on the table, and then excitedly turned to his host and said: "They're playing a tune!"

    T.

  3. #3
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    As others have said, best to distance yourself. If you criticise the piper he may feel insulted as he probably thinks he is quite good. There was a quintet of young kiwis playing pipes at Glenfinnan last year, and to a Scot who hears a lot of good pipe bands they sounded absolutely awful. They made the bagpipes sound like cats in distress and although I felt embarrassed for them I knew it just was not my place to tell them how awful they sounded. Meanwhile the American and Japanese tourists stood transfixed listening to the sound of their pipes, believing this is what Scottish bagpipes should sound like.
    Last edited by cessna152towser; 23rd December 08 at 02:30 AM.
    Regional Director for Scotland for Clan Cunningham International, and a Scottish Armiger.

  4. #4
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    My two cents as a bad piper- it may be someone like me who has only been playing for half a year, and is practicing. I don't have pipes yet- only a chanter- but when I do get my pipes... am I really supposed to practice in my house? Better to have complete strangers hate me than my family...
    "Two things are infinite- the universe, and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein.

  5. #5
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    bottom line is... 'nunya'

    nunya business if someone plays well or lousy.

    to his ears he/she is the cat's meow, and truth be told, everyone started playing any instrument, fairly badly, that's how people get better.

    if you like it, say so, if you don't...keep walking.
    Hector Rojas Young | Chilean-Scot

    operor non sentio mihi , quinymo agnosco mihi

    Clan Young - We Ride!!

  6. #6
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    Quite honestly, you'd be lucky not to get punched in the nose! Just like your mama always said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"... I totally agree with Keith A.!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by hospitaller View Post
    bottom line is... 'nunya'

    nunya business if someone plays well or lousy.

    to his ears he/she is the cat's meow, and truth be told, everyone started playing any instrument, fairly badly, that's how people get better.

    if you like it, say so, if you don't...keep walking.
    When I was a fledgling piper, I piped outdoors, but not in a public place that would have engendered an audience.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Daw View Post
    When I was a fledgling piper, I piped outdoors, but not in a public place that would have engendered an audience.
    Hey Jack...was that "engendered" or "endangered"?????
    Kilted Teacher and Wilderness Ranger and proud member of Clan Donald, USA
    Happy patron of Jack of the Wood Celtic Pub and Highland Brewery in beautiful, walkable, and very kilt-friendly Asheville, NC.
    New home of Sierra Nevada AND New Belgium breweries!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker View Post
    Hey Jack...was that "engendered" or "endangered"?????
    In my case... the latter for sure! Now- ask me if I care. Seriously- go on! Ask me!
    "Two things are infinite- the universe, and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker View Post
    Hey Jack...was that "engendered" or "endangered"?????
    LOL! Good'n!

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