Archive for June, 2011
Duncan Soutar Pipe Chanter Reed – Bagpipes
This pipe chanter reed is sometimes called an “Abedour” Reed. It is very easy to play and needs a minimal amount of breaking in. It is made by Duncan Soutar of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Price:
Mpingo – The African Blackwood Bagpipe Tree
Mpingo Tree
The Mpingo tree, also called the African Blackwood, is a member of the Rosewood family that grows in the Miombo woodlands of Africa. It has a high density, great durability, and natural oils that seal the surface of the wood, making it great for musical instruments like the bagpipes.
These trees often grow naturally knotted and twisted. To use them for musical instruments, they must be straight and without defects. Less than 2% of all the wood harvested can be used for this purpose! It takes about 70 years for the Mpingo tree to reach maturity followed by 3 years of processing before it can be used to make an instrument.
The middle of the wood is black and so hard that it can blunt an axe and must be drilled before screwing or nailing it. The wood is very resistant and the roots support bacteria that increase soil fertility.
As Tanzania’s national tree, it is the most valuable tree harvested and also the most expensive, requiring special equipment to harvest. These trees are currently at risk of being wiped out. There has been a shortage over the last 20 years due to weather, political instability and economics. In many places, the trees are illegally cut down or burned to clear the area for farming and livestock. Burning kills the younger trees and leaves the older trees deformed and diseased.
There are efforts in place to save the “bagpipe tree” and create a sustainable supply for the future. Reaching these goals will not only increase the amount of trees legally harvested, but will also reduce poverty in the area, help to rebuild the forests, conserve water, reduce soil erosion and, keep the music playing!
The government of Tanzania is trying to cut back on the amount of tree smuggling by scanning and conducting physical searches of cargo shipments. There are increasing efforts to monitor the legal trade of African Blackwood and police the illegal trade. All of these factors add to the cost of the wood. Most reputable Bagpipe manufacturers use wood from legally harvested trees.
Rauncie Kinnaird owns Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds specializing in Celtic jewellery, food, Guinness clothing, gift items, Highland Dress, pipe band supplies and of course, bagpipes.
All of the Blackwood we use comes from a supplier that purchases wood from a government approved seller whose trees are legally harvested and documented. The wood is only supplied to musical instrument companies.
Sign-up for free articles on piping and maintenance tips at http://www.kinnairdbagpipes.com
The Short History Of Bagpipes
There are few things that you can’t imagine Scotland without. One of them is wood wind instrument that mostly consists of reeds and a sort of bag filled with air. What is the name of that instrument? Bagpipes of course.
We have different types of bagpipes depending on country that they were made and use in. As in all countries they are the same instruments but even the sound they give are different. The most famous bagpipes are the Scottish one. Although the history shows that bagpipes, as an instrument at all, were invented somewhere else.
First bagpipes are even recorded around 400 BC and they were made of dogskin (bag) and bones (chanters). In some sources there is said that this instrument was brought to British Isles from Rome in 8th century and became popular four hundred years later. Only a few examples of bagpipes from before 18th century left. They show that the art of making pipe wasn’t developed back then.
When only appeared in Britain they started to play a great role. Specially in Scotland were pipers took place of the harpers in the 16th century. After two hundreds of years some serious studies about this instrument appeared as for example William Dixon’s from Northumberland manuscript (1730). The great role of national instrument they are playing minimized when the western classical music developed and a production of instruments connected with it.
Other parts of the world got knowledge about existing of that kind of instrument thanks to expansion of British Empire. Also a large numbers of pipers were trained to be part of military service and participate in First and Second World War, were pipes become famous on the whole world. Police forces in Scotland or Canada have formed pipe bands and some of them existence till today (f.e.The Tayside Police Pipe band that was founded in 1905). In different countries (UK, New Zealand) bagpipes were used (and still are) in formal ceremonies.
Nowadays it has become a common tradition to play bagpipes for military and police funerals, often at the funerals of high-ranking civilian public officials, and at more happy gatherings as weddings, dances and parties. They are still played in a commercial and noncommercial ways. Bagpipes are also well-known in folk music. As it comes to materials and its appearance in some cases they don’t differ so much as the one played in Middle Ages, made of wood and animal skins, and in other cases they are totally new – have bags made of gore tex or bring and electronic sound.
Apart from all that history side at the 21st century bagpipes are still one of the things that first appears in our mind when we think about Scotland. It is so strong image that Scotland means tartan (pattern and material), Scottish gifts (kilt, cashmere scarf), picnics spent on the warm blankets and bagpipes. The history shows that Bagpipes roots are in totally different place but Scottish people love the sound of bagpipes the most.
The best place to find unique Scottish gifts
How to Find a Bagpiper For a Funeral Or Memorial Service
Bagpipes
You have decided to include the Scottish pipes in your memorial plans, but how do you find a good piper? The skirl of the Highland bagpipes will etch an indelible memory. It can be difficult enough to find any piper, let alone a good one. You may remember the news of the airplane accident that took the life of golf pro Payne Stewart in October, 1999. Many still remember the nationally-televised coverage of the funeral, particularly the lone piper on the green, nestled in the foggy mist. Piping for funerals is a performance art form where the piper has one chance with no rehearsals to get it right. Most people are unfamiliar with this instrument; many cannot even name the title of a single bagpipe tune. In fact, most folks have never heard the pipes played live. What do you need to know to select a capable bagpiper and construct a unique music tribute in honor of your loved one’s memory?
Just finding the piper may be the most difficult step. As a professional piper, I have a web page, advertise, and perform regularly in the community; yet, am often told that I was difficult to locate in the first-place. Searching online is an obvious place to begin. Entering the name of your community and the word bagpipe may generate a list of choices. If that does not work, then you might consider checking for evidence of a local pipe band organization in your community. If you live in Canada you can probably find a piper by inquiring at the local chapter of the Canadian Legion. In the United States, many police and fire departments have pipe bands. You can often locate a piper by checking at the local music shop or a large church. The local funeral home may have a trusted source. What you want to find is someone with lots of performance experience and a good reputation and ensure that they are known for quality, punctuality, and consistency. It is not enough to find a person who simply claims to be able to play the pipes.
A qualified piper is someone who can help guide you with such things as appropriate tune selection and how to stage the performance. He or she should have a large repertoire of musical selections and be able to learn new tunes quickly. They should be able to tell you on the spot if a particular tune can be played on the pipes or suggest alternatives. It is common to locate a suitable piper with only days left until the event. When distracted by grief and the details of the planning process, obtaining an experienced piper is worth paying the higher fee. When planning a memorial service on short notice, consideration needs to be given to such factors as how the bagpipes enter and exit the venue, plus where the piper will stand to play. Pipes are effective when used to create a dramatic entrance, but others may wish to place the pipes outside or at a distance. Sometimes this means only being heard through an open door. You will quickly recognize whether or not you have found an experienced performer when consulting with them about such details. You should also arrange to pay the piper upon arrival. This enables you to focus on family and friends after the service. The setup can change completely when the day arrives. You need an experienced piper who is flexible, creative and dependable to create a perfect, lasting memory.
The author is a professional bagpiper in Southern Arizona.
His web site: http://www.wdoncarlos.com, e-mail william@wdoncarlos.com.
Copyright 2010 William W. Don Carlos All Rights Reserved.
Highland Bagpipes – Choosing a Highland Bagpipe
Bagpipes
The Highland bagpipe, a shortened term for the Great Highland bagpipe, is probably the most popular form of bagpipe today. Also known as Scottish bagpipes, Highland bagpipes are woodwind instruments that originated from Scotland and Ireland. They are known to be the best bagpipes in the world, and are commonly being used in marching bands, musical performances, and symphonic orchestras.
Parts
Highland bagpipes are double-reed instruments that are typically made up of a bag, a chanter, a blowpipe, two tenor drones, and one bass drone. The chanter has a scale in Mixolydian mode with a flattened 7th or leading tone. It has a range from one whole tone lower than the tonic to one octave above it. Meanwhile, the pipe bag has to be inflated with air.
Kinds
Highland bagpipes come in two sets: Highland bagpipe practice sets and Highland bagpipe full sets.
The Highland bagpipe practice set is perfect for beginners and young players who want to master the art of bag piping. It is the cheapest kind of bagpipe set and is very easy to use.
A practice chanter allows for easy playing. It also does not have drones, allowing the player to practice proper breath control and maintain optimal bag pressure. Most practice sets also come with stealth features so other people will not be disturbed by its sound.
Meanwhile, Highland bagpipe full sets consist of a pipe bag, a chanter, a blowpipe, one bass drone, and two tenor drones. The chanter plays in the Mixolydian scale ranging from the key of low G to the key of high A. It is commonly used by pipe bands in military and civilian performances.
Buying tips
When looking to buy Highland bagpipes, look for one that has a sturdy reed for better-quality, more stable, and trouble-free sound production.
Also, determine your level of knowledge in bag piping. Buy practice sets if you are a beginner.
Shopping help / Consumer information
A complete Guide to HIGHLAND BAGPIPES is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.
Amazing Grace
Tracks Include: Amazing Grace, Paloma Blanca, Moonliner Rock March, Turn On The Sun, The Highland Cradle, Brazil, Going To Pitlochry & More.
Price: $7.99
Bagpipe, Cocus, Black Cover
Bagpipe. Origin Country: Pakistan. 8 lbs. Made by Mid-East.
40″ X 20″. Made of Cocus wood with a black velvet cover. The ferrules and sole are engraved and there are imitation ivory mounts. Set includes 2 sets of reeds, 1 set of rubber stoppers, seasoning, and hemp. Key of F
Price: $239.90
The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, No 41)
This collectible book is from the “Nancy Drew Mystery” series created by author Caroly Keene.
Price: $6.99
Logan’s Complete Tutor for the Highland Bagpipe
Includes marches, quicksteps, laments, strathspeys, reels and country dances.
Price: $13.95
Scottish Bagpipe or Bag Pipe Player No.1 Scotland Theme Wall Clock by WatchBuddy Timepieces (White Frame)
WatchBuddy Wall Clocks are the World’s Most Lovable Theme Clocks – combining beauty and functionality, they are a wonderful home wall decor accent. They bring personality and fun to any room. They make great Kitchen Clocks, but also are great for display on the Living Room, Family Room, Den, Children’s Room or Bedroom Wall. These wall clocks are only available online. They are a unique and perfect gift idea or present for all occasions such as a House Warming, Birthday, Anniversary, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Graduation, Christmas or Hanukkah. Each of our WatchBuddy theme products is carefully designed & crafted and then graced with an image of world class fine art (paintings & drawings); fine photographic art; charming, endearing or humorous realistic art or cartoon art; or iconic designs & symbols. Our vast library of images encompasses almost every theme and subject imaginable!
Price: $24.95