h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As I now have a set of what I'm pretty sure are highland style Scottish bagpipes.
Right.
That is the chanter (sp?), figured out kind of what I'm ment to do with that (its got holes down its length like a recorder or simular....).
Yep, there is a bag.... err under my left or right arm? I can't decide...
Then there are the (not sure if this is their right name), the drones.... think there's four... they're ment to go over my shoulder?
I really don't quite seem to be able to figure out how to wear it comfetably... do the 'drones' stick up in the air, or are they ment to 'hang down' over your back/shoulder?
ahh, a bit I blow into... that seems simple enough... cept it gets one in a bit of a tangle as I'm trying to put the bag under one of my arms and throw the drone bits over my back/shoulder, or indeed put them anywhere which doesn't involve periodical poking oneself in the eye.
I'm going to give it another go in a minute once I've had a ham sandwich and another class of champaign

I wouldn't exactly describe myself as an expert but I do remember years ago, them explaining it on Blue Peter. I seem to think they said the trick is to get the bag inflated, and then you squeeze that to produce the sound. So its a kind of secondary thing which relies on good squeezing Hope this helps. But I'm in the dark about exactly how to wear them.

But yes what a wonderful present. And if you crack it, cor blimey. Once when I was sitting in a park , there was a piper wandering around, playing a lament. It was very beautiful. I think he may have been practising there to avoid making too much racket in the house Does your lodger like the pipes?

Cor Blimey 2legs!! When I was a kid, one of my neighbours was learning to play the bagpipes - you can annoy, ahem, *entertain* the entire neighbourhood with your practice sessions.
From what I've seen at Peatbog Faeries gigs, the drone pipes all stick up, the mouthpiece goes in your mouth (guess you'd worked that bit out), the bag goes under your arm (some styles of pipes look to have the bag strapped to your side so to make it easier to squeeze them) and then as you've deduced, you play the melody on the chanter like it was a recorder or tin whistle. I think you can play the chanter separately while you're learning how the holes work to make notes - but hey try it all together and test your powers of coordination.
Good luck

MC

>> (some styles of pipes look to have the bag strapped to your side so to make it easier to squeeze them) <<

Rather, some don't have a mouthpiece at all, but are operated by a sort of bellows...

If you want to play the chanter separately, you'll have to use it a bit like an oboe - a bombarde or a shawm without the cap is basically a bagpipe chanter.

You can rest the drones on your shoulder, depending on the style of pipes. And remember you don't need to take such a deep, even breath, that's what the bag is for, to regulate the air...

Try inflating it, playing a few notes while squeezing, then inflating it again, so you don't have to do both at once.

I'm no expert, but I've tried them a few times; my father and sister have medieval bagpipes.

~jwf~

The words, "melody" and "bagpipes" are mutually exclusive










*hope someone there has a video or web cam....*

"I understand the inventor of the bagpipes was inspired when he saw a man carrying an indignant, asthmatic pig under his arm. Unfortunately, the man-made object never equalled the purity of sound achieved by the pig."

Alfred Hitchcock



Q. What's the definition of a gentleman?
A. Someone who knows how to play the bagpipe and doesn't.

I actually don't mind bagpipes - it's just that I couldn't resist the temptation to post those

The thought of 2legs playing the bagpipe seems somehow very appropriate

The bag bit goes under your left arm and the drones rest on your shoulder. The mouthpiece goes in your mouth and the chanter in your hands. Blow into the mouthpiece to inflate the bag, squeeze the bag firmly and evenly while playing noes on the chanter re-inflating the bag as needed.

mini

I have only images of Andy Stewart and Carol Smilie in my head now (please take them out )

When do we get to see you trying them on YouTube?

Q.Whats the difference between bagpipes and onions ?
A. Nobody cries when you chop up bagpipes

In fact I quite like bagpipes too . Its a very evocative sound .

In the same vein as this thread...

Q) Why do people ho play bagpipes always walk around?
A) To get away from the noise.

You can also buy silent chanters to practice on. I have seen someone on the underground use one. Took me ages to work out what he was doing. It was black, smaller than a recorder, with headphones.

Biggest problem with bagpipes is... they play in flat keys. No good to fiddle players.

MMF

True, and because they have drones, they can't really change keys...

Fantastic present, excellent thread.

My best friend plays. I'll ask her. I know I had thought that the fingering was the same as for the treble recorder, and she told me I was wrong (hm, that's probably not very helpful).

Keep us posted with progress ...

Mol

I got a kind of chalumeau/pocket clarinet thing for Christmas, and the fingering is *very* annoying when you're used to other instruments - for some reason, it uses the little finger of the left hand as well!

Thank heavens I don't seem to live anywhere near 2legs.I hope his neighbours are as delighted as he is though..

a few houses ago I had a neighbour who played bagpipes .. most Sunday mornings .. late I didn't mind

I'm still hoping for a series of youtube performances .. Mala, 2Legs, MMF, .. any other volunteers??

I wonder how the badgers will react?

There must be SOME critter at the 2legs abode which eats bagpipes!

<> .. do regular statistics apply??

I thought that bagpipes were distant cousins of the badger?

But what a fantastic present to give you 2legs. Your father and brother must be just as much fun as you Great stuff!