Hi everyone,
I saw on telivison this evening an advertisement about the Scottish Games, in the bay area going on labor day weekend (this weekend, and I hope that made sense ). I was wondering if anyone has any information on the games? Is anyone going? I really want to go, but I was unable to find out where they were being held, I think they said something like the San Mateo county fair grounds…but I don’t know for sure. So if anyone has any information, I would greatly appricate it, if they could post it.
I don’t know about San Mateo, but there is this going on this weekend:
“The Caledonian Club of San Francisco will hold their 136th Annual Scottish Gathering and Games over the Labor Day weekend, September 1st and 2nd, 2001, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California”
Thanks! This was what I was looking for and yes I do really love the bagpipes! I really want to take lessons and my mom said if I could find teacher, maybe then. So if anyone knows of any bagpipers willing to give lessons in the bay area, feel free to privite message me, or post in reply Just on a funny note: When I was five for my birthday, I either wanted a tool box or a set of bagpipes, guess which I got? well, I can tell you it wasn’t the pipes
[ This Message was edited by: lktz on 2001-08-31 00:02 ]
Finally, someone else on the board passed this info on to me some time ago. Many, if not most, people begin learning the pipes by using a practice chanter. This one is an electronic chanter called the Techno-Chanter. A little expensive, but very intriquing. It can be used with headphones for silent practicing - something your mom might appreciate Does she really realize what she is getting herself into if she lets you learn the pipes …
I have one of those electronic chanters that Blaine mentioned in his post. It’s very fun, and actually sounds pretty good through an amplifier with a little reverb (it sounds really neat if you add some delay).
The one problem that I see with using it in place of a regular practice chanter is that it would be pretty easy to develop some bad fingering habits, since you don’t have to worry about actually covering any holes.
I have an electronic chanter too, and while it’s fun to play, it emphatically is NOT the same as practicing with the real thing. The fingering on electronic chanters is VERY forgiving, and the real thing is not, so if you’re practicing with the e-chanter and don’t get your fingers down together, you’ll still sound the note that you want to hear.
But gee, it is nice to wear a set of headphones and twiddle away without scaring the cats!
Yes, I had heard about the e-chanter. It sounds really cool. (LOL) Yes, my mom knows what she is getting into, that’s what is worring her Only problem, I have not seen these people since I was in preschool, so that could pose a problem… Thanks for everyone’s help
I’ve been learning to play the Highland Bagpipe for a while. My tutor says i’ll be ready in two months or so, but i think he’s too optimistic
Feel free to e-mail me about anything about pipes; tips, how does it feel at the beggining, etc
Sturgis is also having Highland Games this weekend. They import a pipe band from Montana (!) and we should probably report most of 'em to the kilt police! Seems like between the kilts and the bikers noboday wears underwear there anymore! Do I dare take my whistle or shout I go to the Shootout at the OK Corral> I thinks I’d rather whistle, and I can play a lot of traditonal Scots tunes on the whistle. I have no compunctions about this, a whistle is a musical instrument to play tunes on, neh?
Last year at the Fresno Highland Games there was this poor guy on one of the stages trying to play Scottish folk songs accompanying himself on the acoustic guitar. Needless to say there was the ubiquitous sound of pipes filling the air from sunrise to sunset. This poor guy seemed to tolerate it for a while, but soon one group of pipers marched up fairly close to the bandstand where he was playing. By this time he had a few Guiness’s behind him, and he began this hilarious monolog about bagpipes. (I had a few Guiness’s too, an don’t recall a thing he said now, but it was hilarious.) The only thing I do recall is his saying he regretted he not bringing his “bag-deflater ya know, one of those Irish whistle thingy’s to use as a peashooter.” The ironic thing is this guy was from Scotland.
I would suggest you get a Polypenco/Delrin type chanter. They look and sound just like the African Blackwood ones, are incredibly durable, have no special care requirements, and are well priced. A couple of good makers are Naill (what I have) and Dunbar. Stay away from ANYTHING that comes out of Pakistan!! (usually brown in colour)
You might want to eventually consider a set of Scottish smallpipes, mini-bagpipes, parlour pipes, or fireside pipes (they’re all pretty much the same beast). All can be played indoors without bursting eardrums or bleeding gums.
A young man we have sponsored in our Scottish Society acquired a set of shuttle pipes…absolutely delightful for playing indoors…even more so than the parlour pipes.
Speaking of Scottish Games. We will be in McPherson KS for the Gathering Sept. 22/23.
If anybody is in the area…come look us up (look for BIG tartan tie display) Bring your whistles! Gm
Well, I just got back from the games and they were so cool! I ended up buying a Susato high D whistle. I really like it in the 1st octative but it is really hard to play in the 2nd and 3rd octative. I saw a great band preforming called Molly’s Revenge. They were so good!Has anyone ever seen or heard of them before? I knew two of the guys out of it from celtic camp but other than that I have never heard of them. But if anyone ever has a chance to see them live-do so! The whistle player in the band is like a number 10 on the whistle scale of talent. No kidding Overall the games were hot but good. Lots of venders, lots of bagpipes.
). I was wondering if anyone has any information on the games? Is anyone going? I really want to go, but I was unable to find out where they were being held, I think they said something like the San Mateo county fair grounds…but I don’t know for sure. So if anyone has any information, I would greatly appricate it, if they could post it.
