This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a guest interview-ee on The Lancast, a new biweekly podcast run by David Moulton and Daniel Klotz. They'll talk about anything they find interesting, but each episode ends up discussing, at least in part, some aspect of life in Lancaster, PA. (Hence the name of the show.) They are crazy guys, but fun to talk with, so to them: thanks again for the opportunity to appear on the show! I had a blast!
Here's the link to the episode. It's about 33 minutes long, so when you listen you might want to plan ahead.
We discussed a wide range of topics, including (in no particular order): bagpipes, my background as a piper, sci fi movies, and the "We Are Lancaster" movement, and Merry Christmas Orcs. Our lead-off topic was the idea of "people who play weird musical instruments" and whether they experience any kind of stigma, and has existing stigma against people who do weird things (like play bagpipes) been declining over the years?
I've been reflecting on this question for the past few days. I stand by my position (which I stated in the podcast) that "stigma" might be the wrong word -- just because something is NOT popular, doesn't make it UNpopular. There's a difference between people who are simply unfamiliar with something and people who have an active dislike for that thing. I have observed a growing popularity of Celtic music and bagpiping over the past few years, due in part to Braveheart and Riverdance and various "kilt rock" bands out there. Most people that I meet, when they learn I play the pipes, say something to the effect of "Wow! That's awesome! I LOVE the bagpipes!" and truly appear to mean it. And although they do exist, I think I can count on one hand the number of actual pipe-haters I have met in my life.
But that in turn got me wondering whether the people I encounter in my life are a representative sample of the population. I'm just not sure. I know I know more pipers than the average person does. I met many of my dear friends at schools that had pipe bands. My family and most other friends are creative people who tend to love music in most of its forms. And overall, I think I've surrounded myself in life with people who celebrate and embrace quirkiness, whether that means being afraid of Jell-O, or proclaiming oneself a Trekkie, or being able to recite scenes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail or The Family Guy or (like me) the entire Rabbit of Seville, or frequenting the Renn Faire, or welcoming the Jehovah's Witnesses in for Bible study that might just teach them a few things.
My point? If there is a "stigma" against bagpipes, I doubt I would see it because the people in my life wouldn't reveal that stigma to me. But maybe it's still out there. A quick YouTube search for "bad bagpipes" or "worst bagpipes in the world" comes back with a lot of results, and they're bad... but laughably so. I can easily list scenes in movies or on TV where hilarity ensues because the frat guy/Scottish guy/neighbor/Muppet got ahold of a set of bagpipes (and usually alcohol too). And then there's the list of self-deprecating jokes that circulate through the piping community (e.g., "Q: Why do pipers march when they play? A1: To get away from the sound. A2: It's harder to hit a moving target." "Q: How can you tell the difference between a set of bagpipes and a dead snake? A: When you see the dead snake in the middle of the road, there's evidence the driver tried to stop").
Is the instrument I love to play more commonly seen as the butt of jokes than I realize? I hope not... but I could be wrong. If it were true that the bagpipes are seen as a funny instrument, it could well be that the people who see the pipes that way have never seen them taken seriously or played with a high level of skill and musicality.
So I guess that's where I come in. To the greatest extent that I can, I want to show the general population that while the bagpipes are unusual and quirky, it IS possible to make breathtakingly beautiful, SERIOUS music on them. Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to put them in tune and keep them there! And while the number of people in a given community that plays pipes is fairly small, it's probably a bigger and more dedicated group than most non-pipers realize.
To all pipers reading this: what's your opinion? Do you feel like bagpipes are viewed as quaint or humorous by the general public? Does the general public even care that much? Am I overthinking this question? I'm curious...
Slainte --
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I have never encountered a member of the public who does not enjoy the pipes to some degree. Although I have read posts from people who are exposed to them to excess who do not like them. But then too much of anything is not good.
ReplyDeleteDemeaning comments invariably come from members of the piping community and almost always are directed at someone else's piping.
Pops
weird (wîrd)
ReplyDeleteadj. weird·er, weird·est
1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of the preternatural or supernatural.
2. Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange.
In my experience the "public's" impression of the bagpipes or that I play them is more often one of fascination. I think it is just in human nature to be somewhat fascinated by things that we don't fully understand. And sure, many will poke fun at something that is outside their own comfort zone, particularly if it is done badly to begin with, and if those poking the fun feel they have safety in numbers. But I find that especially one on one with someone new to the instrument, they are usually intrigued and want to know more. "Is it hard to play those?", "How do you do that bag thing?" "Where did you learn to do that?", and best of all "Will you play them for me?" :-) And when played well, the awe and fascination is just amplified. Yes, I think it IS a little on the "weird" side.....and THAT is what's so cool about it.
:-)
I'm gonna post something about this, but I gotta get my thoughts together first. Coherency, y'know.
ReplyDeleteRandom thoughts on weirdness........
ReplyDeleteNever thought of the Great Highland Bagpipe as "weird". Definitely not mainstream, but not really weird. I do believe some of our elitist musicians do believe so to the extent of not considering the bagpipe in any of it's many configurations a musical instrument at all. An opera singer of my aquaintance and her professional pianist husband made this rather obvious until I had opportunity to play where they could get the full effect of the music and the playing technique. I don't know that they are in love with the bagpipe, but they have new respect for the "instrument" and the pipers.
And lets face it, the instrument is an "in your face" instrument and those of who play it rather like that be cause we can be a bit "in your face" as people. The pipes are a bit arrogant and I don't think a shy person could remain shy and be a competent piper.
I'm still with CNPB, but since I'm no longer competing, interest is waning. The same old parade tunes are getting boring. Karen is trying to get some new music on the street, but the old issue of at home practice continues to rear it's head. I've not been practicing as much as I had in the past or as much as I should now.
So......
I've decided to give myself a challenge. #1: learn more church music. #2: learn to play a couple of jigs. They are difficult for me because my fingers have a hard time keeping up with the music. But I'm gonna keep trying. Maybe in time the fingers will loosen up. And #3: when I feel comfortable with jigs, I'd like to challenge myself with strathspeys and reels.
Amanda, maybe you could help me with that? In fact if you or Allen or anybody else has an idea to help get my fingers to do what I want, don't be shy and let me know.
The bagpipe weird? That's why we like it!!
Loosening the fingers? In the words of Bruce Lee...."Don't think!......FEEL!" Or in this case.....PLAY. Okay, so I just added to my weirdness :-)
ReplyDeleteSpend the time on the practice chanter where blowing is not such an issue to get the tunes down to where you know how it is supposed to go. Then when you're on the pipes, don't concentrate so much. Have the confidence that your fingers will do what they are supposed to. Instead, listen to and get into the music you are playing. Pay attention to how it sounds rather than focusing on every little movement your fingers are making. You'll find they will relax a little, loosen up, and move more freely. Let the fingers float and dance across the chanter to the music you are making. Funny thing, they will stay right in time with your music, even if it's off a little. But play the music....not the chanter. Remember it is relaxing and OPENING the holes on the chanter that makes the different sounds anyway. It is rather irrelevant how hard you crush the holes shut. Just being closed is enough.
If the fingers aren't following enough to make the sound you are looking for, try slowing down a little but stay focused on the sound. In the beginning the sound you are looking for is the root notes and maybe some of the embelishments. As you get better the sound you are looking for will include all of the embelishments and the timing. Evenness in the jig, or the pulse of the strathspey. If you're still not satisfied with the sound and it is stressing you to finger tightness, go back to the practice chanter for the technical stuff. That's why they call it a PRACTICE chanter. And accept that this is why not everybody gets to do this as well as you or even at all in some cases. Because even when you are good at it....it's still not easy.
My $0.02
Allen, your 0.02 is always welcome, but I was looking for an easier way than continuous practice. The older I get, the less the fingers seem to be obedient. It's no longer so much the squeezing of the chanter like it used to be when you teaching me, but the stiffness in the joints. May be arthritis. But that's one reason I've decided to work on these more difficult venues, to keep the fingets limber.
ReplyDeleteMan, we got to get together sometime. I really do miss youguys.
I remember a few years ago John Bottemly reccomending something called Finger Yoga. He had said that at first some of the poses were rather un-comfortable but with time it really helped him loosen things up physically. I am sure you could google it and find some information.
ReplyDeleteAnyone going to Ligonier?
ReplyDeleteFinger YOGA????? More like finger torture! God never meant for one's fingers and hands to bend that way! Maybe Buddha or Hare Krishna, but not God!
ReplyDeleteHey I didn't say that I tried it or that I recommended it. It does look a little painful to me. But he swore by it at the time.
ReplyDeleteCNPB 2nd place grade 5 at Capitol District.
ReplyDeleteWhoop Whoop!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool.
Hmmm, I think this is getting a bit off topic. It's starting to become Allen and Ken's IM service. At least the Finger Yoga qualifies as a "weird" idea anyway. Sorry to hijack the blog there Amanda.
Meh. It's nice to hear from you two so much these days :) I'll get a new post up here soon, and we can all have a new topic to weigh in on...
ReplyDelete