bagpipes-msg - 9/5/15

Medieval bagpipes. Use in the SCA.

NOTE: See also the files: Bagpip-Dsguis-art, Bagpipe-Tips-art, drums-msg, instruments-msg, recorders-msg, SI-songbook1-art, harps-msg, trumpets-msg, Scotland-msg, Ireland-msg.

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NOTICE -

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I  have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

I  have done  a limited amount  of  editing. Messages having to do  with separate topics  were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the  message IDs  were removed to save space and remove clutter.

The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make  no claims  as  to the accuracy  of  the information  given  by the individual authors.

Please  respect the time  and  efforts of  those who have written  these messages. The  copyright status  of these messages  is  unclear  at this time. If  information  is  published  from  these  messages, please give credit to the originator(s).

Thank you,
    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: GRS999910118 at stat.appstate.EDU
Date: 3 Jul 91 12:46:00 GMT

Unto the Rialto, Does Niall MacFarlane send greetings!

      The Bagpipes started development originaly in India at about 3000 bc
. from India it slowly spread to the middle east where it picked up
the base drone. from here it was picked up by the Romans when they
conquered the area. From the romans it spread to damn near everyone else.

There are period examples of bagpipes ranging from the slavic peoples
in the east, to spanish bagpipes, french, german, and variations
of each within each country. The bagpipes that we know today
(the Irish and Scottish types) arrived on the scene at about
900 A.D. when the Irish developed a two drone set with a somewhat irregular
chanter. This was followed by the Highland Bagpipe developed by the scottish peoples at about 1000 A.D. This example is the prototype of the modern
Great highland Bagpipes of today. From Scotland, suprisingly, it spread later
in late period to scandinavian countries and Poland, where Scottish mercinaries
spread the highland bagpipes around.

As far as Northumbrian and Uillian pipes are concerned, I am not terribly
sure they are period.. I'll have to look that up.

If anyone needs any info on bagpipes, I can dig into my refernce library
(I would not, but my editor is not working, and its just too early in the morn
ing...) eeek... make that would now.. not would not..
and find info for you...

Ld Niall MacFarlane
Pipemajor of the Atlantian Guild for Bagpiping and Drumming
among other strange things


From: ansteorra at eden.com (7/20/95)
To: ansteorra at eden.com
RE>A couple more questions

On 20 Jul 95 at 10:06, Mark Harris wrote:
> >>4) (To non-fighters) What could fighters do to make things more 
> >>interesting for you in a war? 
> 
> >Drums.  Really *GOOD* D&C leading to proper unit formations.
> 
> But not drums ALL day and ALL night!
> 
> And bagpipes! That's what they were originally used for, no?
> (In period, they were not confined to use by the Scots.)

Indeed not.  I have an period example of a poem about a Welsh Harper 
lamenting the fact that an *English* piper was brought in to do a 
wedding.

Paul Shore                       | shore at pp.okstate.edu
Computing & Information Services | Voice (405) 744-5888
Physical Plant                   | Fax   (405) 744-6195 5888
Oklahoma State University        | http://www.pp.okstate.edu/


From: bagpiper at aol.com (Bagpiper)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Bagpipers at 3YC
Date: 28 Sep 1995 02:10:09 -0400
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

In a response, Michiel Mac a'Chombiach de'Lancey said,
>  Just to add my two cents in defense of the gentels who wish to form a band
>  at 3yc.  One of the said pipers is Colin Galbreth from the Barony of Madrone.
>  I know for a fact that it is his habit when performing period music for the 
>  SCA to plug the middle drone.

Greetings!
     I am the gentle who came up with the idea of having a "period" band
at 3yc, and I must say that I have managed to spark quite the conversation
concerning piping, drumming, bands, and what's period (and what's not).  
Item 1.  The fact is, Scottish pipe and drum bands did not become common
until after the defeat of the Scots after the 1746 rebellion.  These bands
appeared after the Scottish Regiments of the Royal Army (mostly Campbell
and Frasers from the Argyll region) were formed.  In fact, only pipers
serving King William ( and successive Kings ) were allowed to wear kilts
or play the pipes during the clearances (1746 to 1764).  This does not
contradict the fact that pipers have been playing pipes of various forms (
Northumbrian, two drone and one drone great pipes, and parlor pipes ) for
centuries.  Images of pipers graven in stone can be seen at the Roslyn
Chapel, which was built in 1440.  Clan tradition has it that the Menzies
and MacDonalds had pipers playing the tune "Hey, Tuttie Tattie!" at
Bannockburn in 1314.  (This tune is now immortalized as Robert Burns
famous poem "Scots Wha Hae Wi' Wallace Bled", which is known to the modern
piping community as "Bruce's Address at Bannockburn.)  
Item 2.  It is true that the bagpipe has moved higher up the scale in
pitch.  In fact, Low A on the chanter averages approximately 459 - 462 bps
(frequency).  This is very close to A sharp (467 bps), while modern
orchestral A is approximately 440 bps.  However, while this does change
the pitch of the "Great Pipes", (those pipes designed to be played out of
doors), an unenlightened listener would have great difficulty telling the
difference between an early chanter from two or three centuries ago and a
modern one.
Item 3:  I have seen images reputed to be from 1400 through 1600 that show
two drone pipes (Scottish, English and Irish).  In these images, you will
find sets which have two tenor (small) drones, as well as sets with one
tenor and one bass (tall) drone.  The research I have done indicates that
the bass drone was not commonly used in Scottish pipes until nearly 1730,
while it was apparently often used in the Lowlands, Borders, and England
up to two centuries earlier.
Item 4:  So, it can be argued effectively that there was really no such
thing as a "period" pipe and drum band.

      To be honest, when I first came up with this idea, what I really
wanted was a pipe and drum band composed of about six pipers, and several
drummers (maybe a bass, a tenor, and a couple of snares) which was clothed
in garb more appropriate to our setting.  (Prince Charlie Jackets, Ties,
and Glengarry's are definitely not period!)  I still think this will be
the main direction I go.  I have two reasons for this.   First, since we
will have no opportunity to practice together prior to the event, we will
need to play tunes which are common to most modern pipers.  It would be
very difficult to learn "period" pieces as individuals, then try to
assimilate them into one group effort.  Second, "period" bands would
probably not have drummers.  Who am I to say that drummers should not
participate in this group effort?  
     This is not to say that those who play period instruments can't come
and play.  I have been talking with William Gority, and he has me darn
near talked into manufacturing or purchasing a period instument.  I am
just trying to do something here that will get the maximum number of
people to come out and show off their talent.  In this, I hope to be
successful.

All responses are gratefully accepted!  E-mail me at bagpiper at aol.com, or
post a response here.  

In service to the Dream,
HL Ulrich Paulus von Stassheim
Glen Van Steeter

bagpiper at aol.com (Glen Van Steeter, aka Lordship Ulrich Paulus von
Stassheim)


From: Steve Hendricks <steve at aimetering.com>
To: 'bryn-gwlad at eden.com'
Subject: RE: bagpipes
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 17:08:13 -0600

Well, I guess I'll comment, too.  I generally refrain from bagpipe
player discussions, since they are often viewed (by others - not me!) as
the musician equivalent of lawyers.  For example, you've probably heard
the old definition of a gentleman as one who knows how to play the
bagpipes, but doesn't.

Anyway, I had to take a small amount of exception at Stefan's assertion
that bagpipes "are meant to be loud."  And that most were "battlefield
instruments."

Actually there are many types of bagpipes.  They may have descended from
bladder pipes, which were originally single chanters with bladders, and
were in turn descended from open-reed pipes.  In these pipes, the reeds
were held between the lips like a medieval shawm or a modern oboe or
bassoon.  Iconography of the period does not suggest that these pipes
were used much in battle.  In fact, there are more pictures of monks
playing them in medieval times than there are of any war scenes.

In general, bagpipes may have been used by shepherds as much as by
warriors.  They were certainly employed for dancing.  And they were used
in courts, too, as well as at outdoor events.

The highland pipes, which can be very, very loud, were employed on the
battlefield.  But the Irish pipes and the English pipes (and perhaps
other variations - I don't know about pipes on the continent) were
generally not so painfully loud.  I am no expert on the bagpipes (the
"Piper" of my last name does not refer to an ability to play the
bagpipes), but I have been fortunate enough to hear some lovely softer
pipes played here and there.  I am not familiar with any bagpipers in
the SCA who play the softer pipes.

For any prospective pipers, I might recommend looking into these other
bagpipes if you would wish to invest in something you could easily play
in the general vicinity of your living quarters.

At home, I have the address of a maker of English pipes who was
recommended to me by James Merriweather of the York Waits.  Mr.
Merriweather says that this person is the _only_ pipe maker to consider
for English pipes.  The York Waits own several sets of his pipes and
they all sound wonderful - even when played together.  In fact, I have
heard 5 of them played together from about 15 feet away and my ears did
not even ring afterwards.  If anybody out there would be interested in
owning a great set of softer, English pipes, email me and I will look up
the maker for you.

After all, I intend to buy a set right after I get a tenor viol, a
better treble viol, a couple of lutes, a tenor shawm, a dulcian, and
perhaps a keyboard.  Oh, and maybe a harp.  So your ears are safe from
me for some time to come...

>>Haven't more songs been written for the pipes than the same half dozen
>>>we always seem to hear?

Actually, most that we tend to hear played on the bagpipes are not
period pieces anyway - "Scotland the Brave" being a flagrant
period-bender.

Relatively few period pieces indicate what instrument(s) they are
written for.
Fortunately, almost any period music can be played on bagpipes, since
most medieval and renaissance instruments had a more limited range (as
do bagpipes) than modern instruments.  There is a lot of period music
available to be played on the pipes.

Samuel Piper
who now prefers to play strings, oddly enough


From: <ges95kll at studserv.uni-leipzig.de>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Other Pipes (was: Uilleann Bagpipes)
Date: Thu, 7 May 1998 09:14:44 +0200
Organization: Uni Leipzig

Being a period piper myself, I wanted to let you all know that there is a
builder in Berlin Germany who makes a wide range of instruments including
most of the Praetorius pipes, a medieval (1500's) flemish pipeseveral of
the french models which are still in use today in french folk music plus a
variety of other pipes (including Uillean pipes, which as far as I know
date form the early 18th century). He is:

Bodo Schulz
Garibaldistrasse 42/44
D-13158  Berlin
Germany

If you write him, he will be more than happy to send you whatever info you
want, in english too!

And by the way, I paid a little over $1,000 each for both of my pipes.

See you at the double wars.

der ehemaliger Brock, O.L., etc...
(aka "Prof. Michael, Wolgemut)
Michael H. Gartner
Universitaet Leipzig, Deutschland


Date: Wed, 06 May 1998 15:39:17 -0400
From: Joe Hayes <jhayes at compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Early Bagpipes
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Zane Bruce wrote:
>  I am interested in finding out what variety of bagpipe would have been
>  played by people of anglo-scandinavian stock, between about 850 to 1000

Check out the Sweedish Bagpipes on the following web pages:

http://www.docs.uu.se/~crwth/bagpipes/swedish/
http://www.mhs.mendocino.k12.ca.us/MenComNet/Business/Retail/Larknet/Bagpipes

Ulrich


From: Isaac Alderson <alderson at ripco.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Early Bagpipes
Date: Wed, 06 May 1998 21:21:44 -0500

I believe the first use of two drones was in a Celtic bagpipe of some sort,
illustrated by Praetorius. I think "By the Sword" sells them. Another good
place to look would be "Ancestral Instruments". The URL was recently posted.
--
Isaac Alderson
"Bagpipes are my friends."


From: "sunshinegirl" <sunshinegirl at steward-net.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Uilleann Bagpipes
Date: 4 May 98 02:06:56 GMT
Organization: Southwestern Bell Internet Services, Richardson, TX

Isaac Alderson <alderson at ripco.com> wrote in article
<354CE54F.E2EB3C6A at ripco.com>...
>.  SNIP
>     So, to elaborate on my question, would specifically the *Irish Uilleann
> Bagpipes* be accepted as a "period" instrument?

> Isaac Alderson
> "Bagpipes are my friends."

From _A treasury of Irish Folklore_  edited by Padraic Colum

"The Irish pipes of today are the result of an evolution of the military,
or marching, pipe, which , as near as I can learn, resembled the present
Scotch pipe.  Its beginning dated from the latter part of the sixteenth
century.  History is silent as to the name of the ingenious individual who
transformed the pipe from its primeval state into a superior musical
instrument, which has been called the "Irish organ" and "the sweetest of
all reed instruments.".....The Irish union pipes is a parlor or social
instrument, not louder than a violin."  The book goes on to speak of the
bellows, reeds, quills, chanter, and regulators of the Irish pipe, 

Assuming that the Irish pipes described in this book are the same as your
Uillean pipes, then yes, they have been around since the sixteenth century,
making it late period for us.

Melandra of the Woods


From: Isaac Alderson <alderson at ripco.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Uilleann Bagpipes
Date: Mon, 04 May 1998 00:24:18 -0500

sunshinegirl wrote:
> The Irish union pipes is a parlor or social
> instrument, not louder than a violin."  The book goes on to speak of the
> bellows, reeds, quills, chanter, and regulators of the Irish pipe,
>
> Assuming that the Irish pipes described in this book are the same as your
> Uillean pipes, then yes, they have been around since the sixteenth century,
> making it late period for us.

Yep, that's them. Thanks a bunch. "Union", I'll note here, is another English
corruption of "uilleann", pretty much mispronounced. The earlier forms of the
uilleann pipe, however, are now commonly referred to as "union pipes",
supposedly for the union of sounds. This is a little different than the current
modern version in configuration of drones and regulators and bass drone design.
I guess I'll get by, though. Thank you!
--
Isaac Alderson
"Bagpipes are my friends."


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From: "Psycho Dave" <psycho at weirdcrap.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Medieval Bagpipes
Date: 19 Apr 2006 08:48:06 -0700
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How many pipers out there would be interested in my 13th century
Cantigas Bagpipes?

You can see them on my Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/priscus_forem

The song you hear playing (if you turn the volume up) was done with
those bagpipes (The second section, with the drums and guitar is
unaltered).
Click on "Pics" under the bagpipe image to see other photos, and "Blog"
to read details about my pipes and piping experiences.

My pipes should retail for around $200, but I would prefer to sell them
only to experienced pipers who already know how to play GHB-size pipes.
These are basically just a little bit easier than a GHB to blow. They
are made in Pakistan, but packaged for me with plastic drone reeds, a
carrying case, higher quality cowhide bag (not seasoned on the outside
in a baggie, like so many other Pakistani pipes), and all the
accessories you need to get started.

It should take a couple of months before they are available. If I know
how many people are interested, I can change the size of the order. My
first order will be just a couple of sets to check for quality, and to
see what I'd need to do prior to selling them (like removing the
excelsior packing, and putting the parts together from separate boxes,
etc). The basic pipes are Cocus wood, which is actually almost as good
as blackwood. Blackwood versions of the pipes are available, but for
about $100 extra. 

Thanks!


From ??? at ??? Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 1999
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Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:24:49 +0200
From: Christophe Bachmann <Chris_CII at Compuserve.com>
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Subject: Re: Medieval Bagpipes
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Steve Hix a écrit :
> In article <1145461686.076307.74110 at j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
>  "Psycho Dave" <psycho at weirdcrap.com> wrote:
> 
>> How many pipers out there would be interested in my 13th century
>> Cantigas Bagpipes?
>>
>> You can see them on my Myspace page:
>>
>> http://www.myspace.com/priscus_forem
> 
> Sorry; I'm interested in medieval bagpipes, but not at all interested in 
> signing on with Myspace just to see/hear the video.
>

No need to sign in, the music starts as soon as you open the page.


-- 
Greetings, Salutations,
Guiraud Belissen, Château du Ciel, Drachenwald,
Chris CII, Rennes, France


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From: Philip Lewis <flip+spiced_ham at andrew.cmu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Medieval Bagpipes
Date: 20 Apr 2006 11:41:33 -0400
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dpeters at panix.com (D. Peters) writes:
>That's true--but I'd like to see more photos of the instrument, and when 
>you click the "Pics" link, it asks you to sign in....
try: http://bugmenot.com/view.php?url=www.myspace.com

good luck


-- 
May no harm befall you,
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+")


From: "Psycho Dave" <psycho at weirdcrap.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Medieval Bagpipes
Date: 20 Apr 2006 06:34:39 -0700

Right now, that photo is the only one I have. I plan on taking a few
pictures over the weekend. Gimme some requests of what you'd like
pictures of. I was planning on:

(1) Close-ups of the drone-stocks with a ruler near it.
(2) Close-up of the chanter
(3) Close-up of the drone reeds I ship with them
(4) Maybe a picture of someone playing them for scale

Right now I only have my own pipes, which have decorations, and a
synthetic bag. I am waiting for my next shipment to arrive with the
leather bag, so that I can take pictures of the actual product. I also
plan to do some playing on one of them to ensure that they sound as
good as the first one I got, and that all the parts I am putting
together in the kit are correct.

I have a choice for the seasoning. I can provide the cheap seasoning
that comes free with many bagpipes -- the yellow blobby stuff that
comes in a semi-clear plastic bottle with crudely printed labels, or I
can include some Hardies Airtight Seasoning, but that costs $15 a jar.
Do any of the pipers out there object to the cheap seasoning, or do you
think I can get more customers with Hardies?


From: "Psycho Dave" <psycho at weirdcrap.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Medieval Bagpipes
Date: 23 Apr 2006 07:40:27 -0700

Mark S. Harris wrote:
> Oh? What is the difference(s) between medieval pipes and what
> folks might routinely find available today? What type(s) of bagpipes
> do you play?

Mostly, it's only one or 2 drones. America seems only aware of
Scotsmen in kilts and their distinctive 3-drone, high pitched
bagpipes.

Few people even consider that bagpipes exist in other cultures and
countries. This is likely due to the predominance of white anglo-saxon
culture in our country. The Scottish HIghland bagpipes are actually the
second most modern of bagpipes, invented in the late 1600s and early
1700s. Prior to that time, there were dozens of different bagpipes in
various countries. In Medieval times, most had just one drone. In the
late-medieval and early-rennaisance, a second drone was added.

Different bagpipes have uniquely different pitches, keys, and timbres.
The Bulgarian Kabba Gaida, for example, has a very deep, low tone that
has a haunting quality about it. The Great German pipes, especially
those in the key of low-G, have a very low deep drone to them, and
sound like an oboe. The French Breton Biniou-Kosz has a tiny chanter
with a very high pitch, sort of like a piccolo. Most of the regional
bagpipes of today are modern day copies of medieval and rennaisance
designs that have endured the centuries -- if a design is good, you
stick to it.

Do an image search for "Cantigas" on google. You will see many
representations of bagpipes in medieval art. There were many different
bagpipes back then, mainly due to the fact that most were custom-made,
and that each maker had their own style.


From: "Minstrel Krampf" <psycho at weirdcrap.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: A Really Ancient Bagpipe -- The Mezoued
Date: 20 Feb 2007 12:25:21 -0800

I recently bought a Tunisian Mezoued from an online gift-store, and
was amazed by how little this instruemnt has changed in 4000 years.
It's still made from a dead goat or pig, with the shape of the animal
clearly visible in the form of the bag, and cane.

For those who don't know about this wonderful, noisy, and whimsical
ancient instrument, essentially it's one of the oldest forms of
bagpipe in the world, with archaeological specimens going back 4000
years. It was invented in North Africa, and is one of the national
folk instruments of Tunisia. The Instrument has two 5-hole chanters,
as opposed to an 8-hole chanter and a drone. the chanters are played
simultaneously, giving a chorus effect when played and tuned properly.
The Chanters are made of larger cane stalks, with goat or cow horns on
the end of each chanter tube. The Blowpipe is literally just a
hollowed-out cane tube shoved into a wooden socket.

The bag is a seasoned-type bag, unlike the mediterranean sheep-bags
which are dry, and require no seasoning (Seasoning is similar to the
leather conditioners used on shoes and leather jackets). The
resemblence to the Greek Tsabuona (the ancient Greek version of this
same instrument) is apparent, as the chanter arrangement is the same.
The only difference is that the Greek version is found made with
metal, wood, and bone chanters, and a sheep-skin bag.

When properly tuned, the chanters play the exact same notes. The
chanter is typically played as one -- each finger covers the same note-
hole on each chanter. Rarely, holes are blocked with wax or tape to
produce two-part harmonies (in fact, it would definitely not be
approprate to do that for period recreations). The instrument is loud
and whining - -louder than smallpipes, but softer than large-pipes.
The sound is unique -- a chorus effect, but limited note range (6
notes all together).

I was able to play a few medieval tunes on it -- any song that doesn't
go beyond a 6-note rance seems to work. other notes can be done with a
grace-note effect, and notes can easily be bent, because the finger-
holes are so large.

For players of modern bagpipes, the reeds used are tenor drone reeds.
I test-fit my own natural tenor drone reeds, and they are the same
size (a smart move by the manufacturer, since this makes maintenence
easy). You have to untie the chanter stock to remove the whole chanter
assembly, and carefully ease out the original reeds, which are sealed
with Bees Wax. The new reeds can be inserted into the holes, and
adjusted by raising or lowering until the chanters play Do-Re-Mi_Fa-
Sol-La (no ti or doe, because it's just six notes!).

I was told that some ancient Greek manuscripts exist with recorded
Music. I believe one collection of music called "Seikklos" has parts
that were made for this particular instrument (or at least the Greek
version of it). I'm going to be figuring out more tunes on this
instrument before doing my next gig.


From: rurikps at cox.net
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Bagpipes
Date: July 12, 2011 11:06:55 AM CDT
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com

Well, unless someone has a couple of sets of pipes to lend Marcus and I, the theory will have to go untested. I can't afford the $1k - $5k to buy a set.

But if someone out there has the disposable income, you might want to check out this web site:
http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/bagpipesinstock.asp

Rurik


From: ladytartan at gmail.com
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Bagpipes
Date: July 12, 2011 11:31:35 AM CDT
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com

If anyone is really serious about purchasing a set of pipes, I recommend starting with the chanter first. It's how all prospering pipers learn. Then purchase the bag and pipes. You can email me off list and I can put you in touch with instructors, bands, specialty groups, etc... and some who have used pipes to sell... as was a huge part of my life for a long time :)
 
On a more appropriate Tavern note - the best way to assess a piper is if they can dance to his/her tunes... nothing like the sound of rotten duck to clear out a bar!
 
humbly instigating... Malore


From: rurikps at cox.net
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Bagpipes
Date: July 12, 2011 11:06:55 AM CDT
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com

Well, unless someone has a couple of sets of pipes to lend Marcus and I, the theory will have to go untested. I can't afford the $1k - $5k to buy a set.

But if someone out there has the disposable income, you might want to check out this web site:
http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/bagpipesinstock.asp

Rurik


From: ladytartan at gmail.com
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Bagpipes
Date: July 12, 2011 11:31:35 AM CDT
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com

If anyone is really serious about purchasing a set of pipes, I recommend starting with the chanter first. It's how all prospering pipers learn. Then purchase the bag and pipes. You can email me off list and I can put you in touch with instructors, bands, specialty groups, etc... and some who have used pipes to sell... as was a huge part of my life for a long time :)
 
On a more appropriate Tavern note - the best way to assess a piper is if they can dance to his/her tunes... nothing like the sound of rotten duck to clear out a bar!
 
humbly instigating... Malore


From the FB "SCA Library of Alexandria - A&S discussions with the Laurels of our Realms."
Susan Koziel
7:14pm Dec 7

Not sure if it'd be helpful for your questions Stragin but for Stefan's...
<<< Can one play the bagpipes while running? Or just a fast march? How were they used in battle? Did the bagpipers march in with their group? Or stand to the side? What happens when the bagpiper got to the enemy? Did they also carry a sword or other weapon? >>>

Bagpipes and Hurdy-Gurdies in Their Social Setting
Emanuel Winternitz 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Summer, 1943), pp. 56-83 
Published by: The Metropolitan Museum of Art 
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3257042

<the end>