I have recently become aware of electronic bagpipes. To me they don't sound authentic and the positioning doesn't look comfortable. Maybe this is a valid solution for people who want to practice but live in an apartment. If any of you have had experience with these please let me know. One model is demonstrated in the video below. Do you know of other makes and models?
It's very different but I like it! I can see it being used by rock/punk/alternative or folk bands. Perhaps this will get the interest of young people who would never consider playing traditional pipes?
ReplyDeleteHi Durand, Thank you for your comment. You are right, that it should interest young players, but experienced pipers might enjoy it as well for its readiness to play, relatively subdued sound and its portability. I am thinking of it as a practice instrument and an alternative to the pipes, to be played before a small audience where the actual bagpipes would be considered too loud.
ReplyDeleteI felt that the sound of this particular model wasn't as close to the actual bagpipe sound as I would like it, and wondered if there were other makes from which to choose, and if anyone has had experience playing them.
While commenting, I would say that the piper demonstrating this instrument sounds like he could be a very capable piper, but he is playing so fast that the tune, "The Black Bear," loses a quality of music which depends upon articulation and distinct timing. I'd love to hear him play the selection much slower.
If anyone could give me information on other makes and models of electronic bagpipes, I'd appreciate it. Is there an amplifier one could use with it?
You would think that the advancements in digital sampling technology could be incorporated into a device such as this to make it sound like authentic bagpipes. These things sound like a toy! Hopefully they are priced like a toy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous, for your comment. I tend to agree with you that with today's technology, the instrument should be made to sound more authentic. I doubt if they are priced like toys, but for those who would have everything. So they are likely quite expensive. I go by the adage that one shouldn't be the first to buy a new thing, nor the last one either. I'd like to benefit from others' experience and know if there is one make superior to all others, ranked for quality of sound and for price. Can someone describe them?
ReplyDeleteI use a practice instrument called "Micro-Pipes," created by Ross Technologies. I purchased this at the Tartan Thistle (www.tartanthistle.com) because I needed something that would allow me to practice late at night while everyone else was asleep, or in public places (outdoor cafes, hospital lobbies, etc.). I picked this model because it was cheap -- no drones, no on/off switch, no speakers (it came with a set of headphones)--, but it still cost as much as two normal practice chanters.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a satisfactory tool, but by no means does it replace a regular practice chanter, and I would never use it as a performance instrument even though speakers could conceivably be attached. It's good for working on rhythm and finger technique, but there is no blowing involved. I might suggest that the Micro-Pipes (and the reason for using the plural "Pipes" in the name of this device is a mystery) are to a practice chanter as a practice chanter is to the Great Highland bagpipes.
I did an interview with Jose Hevia on the APNA website at http://theotherpipers.org/index/?p=1274. These pipes are not toys! Jose Hevia is quite an accomplished Gaita player who developed asthma and could play for any length of time...so he invented these MIDI pipes that are stunning. Listen to him for a bit at his site.
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to travel and was learning notes and tunes, the Fagerstrom Technopipes fit the bill perfectly! It really helped advance my playing, so these pipes have a great use. Mostly for learning tunes and fingering discipline. They detect crossing noises ruthlessly! I could use them on plane or in a hotel room with earplugs.
But I don't play the GHP, only bellows blown pipes, so blowing technique isn't important to me though I did learn on a PC from strict highland tutor.
And, here's something, a Highland Whistle: http://www.carbony.com/Products.htm!
ReplyDeleteI read the review in Piping Today and the author was impressed. It's a whistle with the same fingering as Scottish pipes.
Thanks for your comment, Michael. I thought it was interesting too, that there are whistles of various keys and yet have the same fingering as the pipes. A piper will now have the advantage of being able to play along with a band and be right in tune with them. Those who may be interested can check the website. Of course, these whistles are not electronic and don't sound like pipes; just that they allow a piper to play along with other instrumentalists.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael, this time for commenting on the Fagerstrom Technopipes. You found a real purpose for electronic pipes; that they enable you to practice anywhere, including on an airplane or in a hotel room. These are the advantages one doesn't have when practicing the GHB. Being able to improve your fingering technique is nice, but for earnest pipers, blowing technique still has to be practiced in the conventional way. However, there are many times when a piper would love to hear what he or she would otherwise be playing silently on a pencil.
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