Posts Tagged ‘Bagpiper’

The image of the kilted bagpiper performing at a memorial is truly magical. The Scottish Highland bagpipes hearken back to ancient times when people gathered to commemorate the noble deeds of heroic lives upon battlefields under the open sky. Today the pipes are the living legacy of those great traditions. They can be used by anyone to create a magnificent send-off. You do not need to be Scottish to hire a piper. Among the remnants of the British Empire the pipes are still played in many places around the world such as: Hong Kong, Jordan, or India. You can find pipers throughout the United States just about as easily as upon the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. They have now become a modern tradition for many cultures–far from Highland glens and misty Scottish isles. Living in the American Southwest, I have performed as a professional piper for hundreds of memorial services in Southern Arizona.

There are many different ways to utilize the pipes. In a funeral service bagpipes can be tailored for a unique tribute to your loved one. All death is considered to be a sad loss, but many memorials are designed to be celebrations of life. These memorials lovingly crown a long well-lived life, unlike services for situations like a sudden tragedy. Most of the memorials I have piped are for those who passed away in the fullness of time. Anticipating the end, they had the luxury of time to make careful plans with their families, plans for specific music selections including the Highland bagpipes. Scottish bagpipe music is diverse; most tunes are not dirges. A good piper is prepared to play according to the tone and specific circumstances found upon arrival at the service. A well-constructed memorial event has room for many moods. Sometimes sacred selections are ideal. Melodies from any source may be considered based upon their own special relevance to the family. The bagpipe chanter can play thousands of tunes with only a nine-note range. Some modern melodies can be played on the pipes, but many are impossible to render properly. Quite often, hymns or traditional selections are played at the beginning, but the family saves the best for last: “Going Home,” or “Amazing Grace” to close the service. Pipes can only play at one volume level, so the final piece is presented beautifully if the piper recesses away slowly while playing, leaving haunting echoes for the listener.

Many locations, such as churches, are wonderfully suited for playing the pipes. The acoustics inside large sacred spaces can be very impressive, but the pipes may also be used in smaller venues. The intensity of volume is mitigated in a small church if it is packed with people. The pipes are an instrument of dramatic impact rather than long duration, so it is often desirable to play them indoors to begin and then to conclude a religious service. Outdoors the pipes reign supreme. No other instrument has the same effect at the graveside. Many memorials also include military honors. The typical fashion is to first have final words of benediction, then the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag, followed by the bugler playing of “Taps.” The service is then completed by a final tribute from the bagpipes. Another significant way for the piper to participate is by playing while the casket is lowered. The pipes may also be employed separate from the ceremony for an Irish-style “wake,” or party, at home. Done properly, the bagpipes will enshrine the smiles and tears of this significant day in the majesty of this ancient and noble tradition.

By William W. Don Carlos

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.

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.

Bagpiper

We are sitting down with one of Atlanta’s professional Bagpipers.

Steve, we understand that the reed and it’s quality used by the bagpipers in Atlanta and around the country today is an essential part of a successful bagpipe performance. Would you agree with that? Tell us a little about your favorite, most dependable reed.

The highland bagpipes are a demanding and exacting instrument. The technique required to execute bagpipe fingerings and embellishments is considerable. To enjoy the music of the pipes one must also have the pipes in good tune. Lots of time must be spent in breaking in chanter reeds and tuning the drones to the chanter. There are a good number of different quality reeds on the market today.

Tell us a bit about how you fell in love with the instrument – when and where did you first come into contact with the instrument? How long did you study the instrument before being able to confidently play your first “gig”?

I’ve always had a “thing” for the great highland bagpipes. Hearing the pipes at annual The Stone Mountain Park Highland Games one Fall was my first real introduction to them. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the last 7 years learning as much as possible on the pipes and really get a kick out of playing for people.

The tartan colors and patterns that you pick to wear must be worn correctly for different events. Isn’t that true or can one style or configuration suit all?

I normally wear the Black Watch tartan when performing for memorial services and funerals. If you are Scottish, then it is easy to find your clan tartan online.

Of all the events that you have done for Blue Sky Atlanta, over the last several six years performing the bagpipes, what is one that stands out in your mind from the others in the past several years that was really heartwarming – really touched your heart?

There are many I recall, but I had the pleasure honor of piping at the wedding of Rob and Caroline in October 2009 and it was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve played. The wedding was held at Flint Hill Plantation in Norcross, Georgia. We wish to thank Steve Thrasher for his time on this first of a two-part interview/post and we hope that you, our blog readers, found this information informative and educational. Mr. Thrasher is asked to appear at Wedding Ceremonies, Memorials, golf tournament starts, National holidays and Grand Openings throughout the southeast. For over the last 25 years, Steve has performed drums and vocals with one of Atlanta’s most popular Atlanta wedding music bands, BLUE SKY. Thanks, Steve for your time today and good luck with your future events.

http://www.blueskyatlanta.com is one the country’s premier live entertainment booking companies located in Atlanta, GA. For over the last 25 years, owner musician, Jim Tiernan and his company, have provided live entertainment including music bands, Dj’s, magicians, comedians, speakers, pianists, jazz groups and performing soloists for weddings, holiday parties, conventions and special events of every conceivable size and theme.