The WSJ asks if that's really what bagpipe bands need. "Is there such a thing as too many bagpipes? There’s a nagging suspicion, even among bagpipers, that the answer might be yes."
The Great Highland Bagpipe was not really meant to be played indoors. I've heard it done well, especially in large auditoriums, but that's not what the thing is for. :)
First time I heard bagpipes was technically indoors - seeing the Black Watch in Houston at the Astrodome. Biggest kick in the pants I'd felt at that age (~10yrs old). To be fair though, the Astrodome was not a "typical" indoor venue.
In northern Spain, the word for bagpipe is "gaita." At the same time, Gaita is a song form in Venezuela, especially in Zulia/Maracaibo. Here there are no bagpipes. It refers to a drum. Linguistic origins go back to the Goth language- for goat akin covering the drum.
There can never be too many bagpipes! I dream that one day the USMC will have its own pipes and drums.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Scots like it. They can have my share. I make them this gift.
ReplyDeleteEric Hines
One out-of-tune piper is one set of pipes too many. Based on my personal experience. Your experience may vary.
ReplyDeleteOne set of pipes in a small church sanctuary might be too many for some.
LittleRed1
The Great Highland Bagpipe was not really meant to be played indoors. I've heard it done well, especially in large auditoriums, but that's not what the thing is for. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst time I heard bagpipes was technically indoors - seeing the Black Watch in Houston at the Astrodome. Biggest kick in the pants I'd felt at that age (~10yrs old). To be fair though, the Astrodome was not a "typical" indoor venue.
ReplyDeleteScotland is not the only place where Celts and bagpipes mix. The north coast of Spain also combines Celts and bagpipes. Marcha do antigo reino da Galiza / March of the Kingdom of Galicia.
ReplyDeleteIn northern Spain, the word for bagpipe is "gaita." At the same time, Gaita is a song form in Venezuela, especially in Zulia/Maracaibo. Here there are no bagpipes. It refers to a drum. Linguistic origins go back to the Goth language- for goat akin covering the drum.
Thank you, Gringo. That was interesting.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly bagpipes are pretty common throughout European and Caucasus cultures, historically anyway.
ReplyDeleteIn Hungary, it's a more rustic bagpipe called the Duda. The way they play it such that it chirps as a fiddlers bow does is interesting.