In Flanders Fields - by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky 

The larks, still bravely singing, fly 

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 

Loved and were loved, and now we lie 

In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw 

The torch; be yours to hold it high. 

If ye break faith with us who die 

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 

In Flanders fields. 

Composed May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

On exercise and piping

I was recently at my medical provider in the SF bay area for an annual check-up. While waiting for the appointment, I was asked to fill out a survey on if I smoke, if I drank and if I exercised along with my age, sex and education level. Although I never smoke, drink sparingly and do exercise some, it made me think about the association of these things with piping.

Piping is an aerobic exercise of sort; any piper will tell you that. It takes a lot of wind to keep the bagpipes going steady. But how would and does my lifestyle affect my playing? Would drinking less and exercising more help? And conversely, would less exercise affect my practice and performance? I think the answer is obvious… YES! Do I need to do triathlons, bicycle hundreds of miles a week or play world class tennis to get any benefits? No. But get off the couch and get moving would.

So what benefit might I expect? Staying physically active and leading a healthy lifestyle will keep me stronger and fit to keep doing what I like to do. It also contributes to mental health according to the National Institute of Health. I know, mental health… in bagpipers may seem an oxymoron, but keeping mentally sharp will certainly help me in playing music, memorizing tunes as well as in presentation during performance.   Long term health benefits of exercising can also help with improving physical issues already in a person’s life.

That old adage of use it or lose it is true; applied to piping, even more so. Piping relies on memorizing music that when played solo or in a band must be played in unison. Proper health and nutrition does affect how I memorize and play. They also affect my small motor skills and muscle memory, things that are directly affected by my health and exercise. Ignoring exercise and nutrition we all will have less energy and focus in what we are attempting.

So what exercise should I be attempting? Deferring to the N.I.H. for adults:

* Some physical activity is better than none. People gain health benefits from as little as 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. I’ll probably keep my weight down too!

* For major health benefits, do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.

* When doing aerobic activity, do it for at least 10 minutes at a time. Spread the activity throughout the week. Muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate or vigorous intensity should be included 2 or more days a week. These activities should work all of the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and arms).

Activity is good for your health, both physical, mental and positively affects my piping. I know that the hardest activity is being motivated to get out of bed or off the couch and start exercising. So go for that walk at lunch or after dinner, get up and away from your desk, go the gym, play a sport like running, biking or swimming. Anything that gets you moving is a good thing. And afterward, take those pipes out and play.

On recording piping as a practice tool

In preparing to record a quick march medley as a try-out to join our competition band, I have begun to record my playing on a regular basis. When reviewing the first recordings I was struck at how hard it is to get a solid performance worthy of being listened to. Ok, in our heads as humans, we think we sound so much better than what others may say or feel. Ask the person who sings in their shower how they sound, or ask the piper how they think they sound. We each have an inner voice that thinks, ”Hmm, I sound pretty good…” Yet, record the amateur singer, or piper, and make it available for critique and you have another matter. The first few recordings made will ‘feel’ dreadful as pipers are not used to listening to themselves, and while listening, every little flaw seems magnified. Persevere and soon the novelty wears off and the recordings become another tool to help make oneself a better piper. You are playing for yourself, so make the most of it.

So how do you record bagpiping? This is not to record for a future hit CD, but for recording technique and correcting mistakes heard. If you’ve taken lessons, one of the benefits is the feedback from your tutor. The same holds with recording. Do I use an iPhone or smartphone app? Portable camera? Laptop with sound recording program? Cassette recorder? Each has value. I started with my smart phone to record. Then tried a small camera that recorded my playing as a video. Then settled on a sound recording app on the laptop. I like the laptop app as it also has the benefit of storing in a format that can be easily saved, shared and / or deleted. If you’re looking for a higher quality bagpipe recording, one software / hardware package for PC or Mac from: http://www.epipes.co.uk/software.html There product looks intriguing, but more than the average piper may wish to invest in as a practice tool.

One of the challenges in recording is the sound volume of bagpipes. This will drive how close you will stand to the recording device. Stand next to the recorder and you will almost certainly have distortion. Stand 6, 8 or maybe 10 feet away and the recording may smooth out. Trial and error will give you an optimum solution. Just to reinforce, these recording are for your private use in order to make your playing better. The recording doesn’t need to be symphonically beautiful.

Next is the location that you will record at or in. Do I record in my living room, my garage, an empty work conference room, a public park or in a large performance venue? Will the location have echo or other sounds that may be introduced into your recording? For example, last week it rained near my work. I went out at lunch between raindrops to practice and record, to an open parking lot. I recorded several versions of tunes and went back to work. That evening I listened to the efforts only to discover that a frog, or frogs, had joined me, singing their happy ‘rib bits’ to my version of Meeting of the Waters. Too funny! I never heard them while I played. Another factor outside may be wind. You may hear the wind on the recording as it passes across the microphone. The type of mic used may also contribute to hearing the wind. The wind may also carry your music away causing a ‘warped’ sounding recording.

The benefits of recording are very direct. Listening to the recording puts you in the seat of a competition judge and quickly pinpoint areas for technique improvement:

* Playing in tune – Upon playback, you will quickly hear if your drones are out of tune with each other. Take time to tune every time you play. Although you may miss a rough tuning of chanter to drones, you will certainly hear any gross out of tuning of chanter, especially top hand ‘F’, ‘G’ and ‘A’

* Fingering technique – Can I hear the ‘G’ on your D-throw; are your doublings even; does your tachums, sound like it is pronounced; are you taorluaths distinct.  
* Blowing evenly – How steady is your pressure being maintained. Blowing verses arm squeeze. Can you hear the steadiness of the music? Are you pressing harder when playing your high hand (high F, G & A) and are they played sharp, indicating overblowing?
* Playing in tempo – You will quickly hear where you rush (or slow down) music phrases.
* Control your instrument
   - Striking In – On a mental roll-off with a one or two beat ‘E’ are you playing with confidence? No early drone or chanter sounds allowed.
   - Cut-offs – Are they clean and controlled, every time?

So to improve for competition, or improve for solo performance, record yourself. When I listen, I have a highlighter pen and music printed off at the ready. Listen the first time with a yellow highlighter, second time with green, 3rd with blue… you get the idea. I’m listening carefully and listening multiple times to a recording, highlighting areas on the music for improvement. Then practice the tune with the marked music until you have fixed the issue. Then the next time you record without sheet music, you’ll hear the difference. It is an iterative and disciplined process.

And it will pay off.  Happy piping!

On year three with Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums

It’s December 2015 and I am just completing my third year in a pipe band.  Completing our year, the band played two free Christmas concerts; one at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga and one at Trinity Episcopal in Menlo Park. Both were very well received

The band played in six parades, five competitions and a myriad of performances – some seventeen events large and small; some with the full band, some with smaller numbers of pipes and drums. My favorite event of the year was piping for the homecoming Honor Flight. The band played for the returning veterans who were honored by Bay Area Honor Flights by an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC.

We played some events in full uniform, others in band shirt and Glengarry. I played in 15 of the 28 events as well as performing as Piper John B for additional weddings, memorials and parties. Thank You must go to my wife and family for encouraging and supporting my piping addiction and habit. I would have to say that I’ve had the best year of piping since taking up the bagpipes! And each year continues to get better. I have said it before: add in weekly practices with the band, practicing my instrument and I’d have to say that I’ve had almost enough piping for one year.

The 2015 season highlights included Grade 4 competitions at the Sacramento Games, Monterey Games and Pleasanton Games. We debuted our new competition uniform at the Sac Games (bye spats, horsehair sporran and black police shirts and hello grey shirt and tie with waistcoat, black leather sporran, grey socks with Gillies and new cap badge. I’m looking forward to the new challenges ahead in 2016 band competitions playing a new MSR and refining our TLM. In addition to competing with the band, I tried my hand again a solo competition playing in Grade 3 at Monterey and Pleasanton. Stepping into a competition quickly points out just how much more practice I need. It is very humbling. My solo MSR is Duncan McInnes, Captain Colin Campbell and Colonel MacLeod, and, my jig is Granny MacLeod. I hope to enter solos at all games that the band enters, and maybe the Redding Solo competition. We will see.

In conjunction with the piping is the hanging with band mates, both pipes and drums and their significant others. The time together, whether preparing, competing, performing or just hanging out after a gig contributes to the fun of the pipe band experience.

Thank you to all those who listen to our band, and music!

Merry Christmas!

John B

'Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord.'  Luke 2:11   

On Bagpiping on the International Space Station

Over the weekend a US flight engineer and astronaut, Kjell Lindgren, played bagpipes aboard the International Space Station paying tribute to research scientist Dr. Hurt. Playing the traditional tune Amazing Grace in zero gravity, it was a first for bagpipes to be played in outer space. According to the BBC news Mr. Lindgren contacted pipe maker McCallum over two years ago. McCallum spokesman Kenny Macleod stated that the set taken aboard the 45th expedition to the space station were a set of the plastic pipes saying, "They're made of plastic - they're just easier to keep clean and to make sure they're not contaminated. They're also lighter." Honoring Dr. Hurst with the pipes was preceded with a short video message.

Dr. Hurst worked for US engineering company Wyle Science as a research scientist and instructor. He died suddenly in October, aged 48. Mr Lindgren said of Hurst: "He always had a quick smile, a kind word. I don't know if anyone was more enthusiastic and professional about being involved in human space flight."

Here is a link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DWzmq9e0Lw

McCallum spokesman Macleod also stated (after seeing Mr. Lindgren play), "The thing about bagpipes is that they're very difficult to play at high altitude because the air is that bit thinner. They're quite hard to blow so he's done well,"

To paraphrase the tag line from the movie Alien, “In space, no one can hear to pipe.”

Or can they?

On piping for my daughter’s wedding

When my daughter became engaged, a whole world of new discussions, details, plans and possibilities opened up. Early on she asked about having pipers play a processional as I walked her down the aisle. I was extremely delighted that she wanted bagpipes, even knowing that I would not be able to play. No disappointment there as I am the Father of the Bride. And, as it happened, our band whole heartedly wanted to play. I was equally delighted when our band’s leadership approved playing at the wedding! Our family is indeed honored by the generosity of time and music.  

The wedding plans moved along in quick order. The couple found a beautiful venue in Santa Cruz, CA., called Hollins House at Pasatiempo (http://www.pasatiempo.com/hollins-house).  A gorgeous venue overlooking the Pasatiempo Golf Links which in turn overlooks Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay beyond. On my first visit with my wife and daughter, the outdoor location for the end of October wedding was scoped out. We marched the path of the processional as I hummed the beloved tune: Highland Cathedral. We decided that day a solo piper would play the tune straight through one time, marching up the aisle the across to the band. As the drums and pipes began playing a second time through, we would emerge from behind the house and walk up the aisle.  We could picture it all in our minds.

The band opened the ‘Boyden Wedding’ event on our automated band calendaring system (https://teamsnap.com) and quickly had a pipe band confirmed to play. Understanding that to play for an event as a pipe band never involved playing one tune, it was unique for our gang to be asked to prep, dress, practice, tune and perform one tune. One of our senior pipers, Paul Llewellyn, led the band and played the solo, with the band performing flawlessly in strike in and cutoff.

At the reception, a number of friends all asked why the band only played one tune. We all would have love them playing several more, but the bride and groom called the shots for the wedding and reception. Beth had a vision, and my job was to see that vision come alive. The band was invited to stay for the reception’s cocktail hour and pictures. Almost everyone stayed the entire time. It was a blast having them present for an incredibly special time in our family history.

I cannot express adequately just how grateful our family is to the Stewart Tartans for their generous gift of friendship by performing. They are a marvelous group of musicians and friends.

Bagpipe is a verb

Over the weekend our band performed in a parade through downtown Mountain View, CA. During a break in the parade, one of our wonderful tenor drummers pulled out a card game called Anomia. The game has players matching game card symbols and whoever answers the category named on the opponent’s card wins that card. While playing the game, the card flipped up listed “Adjective” which took me too long to think of an adjective, so I lost my card and “hung my head in shame.” Actually it’s a hilarious game. And now on my Father’s Day list (hint, hint!).

Later in the day I thought back about the game which triggered an earlier memory: When my kids were in early elementary school, one ‘school’ game we played while studying English was called noun or verb; adjective or adverb. We used this to think about words that describe things versus describing actions. As we played, one of the kids noted that some words can be both a noun and a verb. We noticed that some words do fit both categories: fly, bowl, love, ship, cook and drink, to name a few. This was a great observation for young students. An epiphany of sorts. So where does bagpipe fit in?

First thought is about the gangly five tentacle wheezing creature played in the highlands and in pipes and drums bands. I can touch it, squeeze it, make sound come from it; it is a thing. One can buy it, own it and covet it. It crafted of hard wood and be hand turned (on lathe) with silver engraved mountings and covered in velvet or tartan. All physically solid to the touch. So it is a noun.

Second thought is that bagpipe, as a verb, is to create music from the noun of the same name. There is both physical and mental effort, measured in years of study to make music that may be enjoyed. Audience members who have watched either a young or experienced piper, bagpipe sees the amount of air needed to play, physical strength to control the instrument and the finesse of finger work on the chanter to make music. And that performing on the noun’s chanter is a mental exercise focusing on playing a tune well with proper musical timing, cadence and tune embellishments.

I guess my kids would have said bagpipe is loud and noisy (then laugh). The parent / teacher in me would (in an affirming voice) acknowledge that they are correct but point to the noun-verb nature of all musical instruments. In my mind the noun is secondary to the verb in the world of music. The instrument does not make the music, only the bagpiper can. So the bagpipe is def., def., definitely a verb.

On piping - Top 25 tunes for every piper

Playing bagpipes, like most instruments, means playing a variety of tunes. Bagpipes are one of a few instruments that demand to be played memorized. This can be difficult for some, easier for others, I’ve covered how I memorize tunes before so I won’t write on that topic today. Before doing a search on the internet, I started with a list of what either I play, what friends say they are requested to play, what our band or other local bands plays on a regular basis. How does one then stop at 25 tunes when there are literally dozens of great tunes which could be included? I then spent some time validating what I know is played with a search on most popular tunes yielded a very good list of tunes. The tunes listed are not is a specific order, but represent wonderful classics pipers should be familiar with. Another day I’ll post what tunes my friends and I are working to perfect for performance. Enjoy!

1.            Scotland the Brave

2.            Amazing Grace

3.            Green Hills of Tyrol

4.            Skye Boat Song, Traditional

5.            Highland Cathedral

6.            No’ Awa’ Tae Bide Awa

7.            Rowan Tree

8.            When the Battle’s O’er

9.            Highland Laddie

10.          Orange and Blue

11.          Bonnie Dundee

12.          Battle of the Somme

13.          Barren Rocks of Aden

14.          A Hundred Pipers

15.          Flower of Scotland

16.          Brown Haired Maiden, The

17.          Wearing of the Green

18.          Minstrel Boy

19.          Greenwood Side

20.          Mhari Bhan

21.          Liberton Pipe Band

22.          Garry Owen

23.          Atoll Highlanders

24.          Going Home

25.          Mist Covered Mountains

On motivation

There is an old Scottish proverb: It take seven years to make a piper. When you start on chanter you are excited to be on the road to playing bagpipes. It maybe a year or so to get the fundamentals down of piping music and chanter work. Then a couple of years learning to incorporate chanter work and music memorization with playing the bagpipes. Along the way life happens and for short periods of time you may step away from the learning curve. So what gets and keep you motivated as a bagpiper?

For me there is a three-fold challenge in piping:

1. Memorizing music

2. Mastering the instrument physically

3. Making music.

Each has its own challenge in staying motivated.

Focusing on memorization can be tough. We listen to other players that seem to easily memorize music, while I struggle. It is and it isn’t a matter of repetition when it comes to music memorization. The quality of your time and the method of how you memorize are very important. I was playing a strathspey that I love and learned, but have never played it technically well. So I learned another and will put that old one on a shelf for a couple months or years and come back to it. Memorizing music should be fun not tedium.

Mastering the instrument is a matter of just staying the course. Keep playing, Keep working on the instrument with a singular purpose. Putting the pipes down for a while will, just like in exercise, be counter-productive.  Maybe change up the playing routine, or change your practice location, or play some new music. Staying motivated could be as simple as connecting with other pipers. Join that band, or regularly play music with pipers you know. You will be motivated to improve, try new music you hear and by taking an interest in your friends will be motivated to keep playing. Staying connected with other player is key

Staying motivated to make music may be the most difficult of all. Not everyone is born with a sense of what music sounds like. So listen to world class piping. Ok, some of that music may be way too technical for us ordinary humans, but you may also hear a tune that does inspire you to learn. Or in listening you will hear that elusive musical pattern of the tune you have been trying to master.  It could be as simple as listening to Pandora or Spotify or an online piping music web site. Be careful about YouTube though as not all recording are created equal and not all pipers play well.

Also, Chart your progress. Write a note or email a fellow piper on what tunes did you learn this year. Make note of embellishments have you made progress on or mastered? In January, set yourself a goal. Maybe it is to enter one additional competition or enter one for the first time. But do it for the fun of it. Reward yourself when you see a success.

On 911

Each year on September 11, our generations pause to remember the events that took place in 2001 when Islamic terrorists hijacked planes and using them as bombs took down the twin towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, struck the Pentagon in Washington DC and drove one plane into the ground in Pennsylvania as that flights crew and passengers fought back. And each year pipers are called upon to assist in the memorial events. As pipers we are called to perform at memorials of loved ones now departed. What an amazing honor that must be! I lift my hat (glengarry) to the families on those lost in the attacks, to the responders who aid and the pipers who played.

There is a story, reported by Joel Meyerowitz, professional photographer who chronicled the recovery work on the Trade Center site: In March 2002 as crews sifted through the piles of debris, firefighter found a portion of a Bible fused to a chuck of steel. The page that remains visible is from the Gospel of Mathew from Jesus Sermon on the Mount and reads: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” How amazing that something God’s scripture might survive the fall on an entire building and survive.


Amazing Grace
Lyrics: John Newton; Tune: Unknown

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

On the Ivory in Bagpipes

In the wake of the public outcry recently about a US dentist killing a single male lion named Cecil in Africa, I thought about what such might have to do with bagpiping. Sport hunting has long been part of the human psyche, and tradition, and has little to do with the manufacture of highland bagpipes. Yet part of the story was the underlying theme of hunting endangered species. As an individual, as a people, and as a nation, we need to grapple with the implications of using the elephant, rhino, and other endangered species to produce sculptures, jewelry, and, bagpipes. Should it be allowed at the expense of endangering an animal population? Just because we can? I would say not.

In March of 2015, 15 tons of elephant ivory was destroyed (burned / pictured above) in Nairobi, Kenya. It had been confiscated from poachers. One article I read was that emerging markets for ivory has emboldened criminals to hunt and kill elephants for their tusks. Groups such as Save The Elephants (http://savetheelephants.org/) (SAE) are doing their part to raise awareness and helping fight poaching. Why burn the poached ivory? Maybe allowing it to be sold would feed a market, so better to starve that demand; remove the source from the end user. According to SAE, approximately 100,000 elephants and rhinoceros were killed in Africa between 2010 and 2012. In February of 2014, President Obama, announced a call for member states to place a permanent moratoria on all commercial imports, exports, and domestic sales and purchases of new ivory. This is welcome news and will help, but not eliminate, the killing and black market for ivory.

As an industry, some bagpipe makers have throughout the past used elephant ivory (among other exotic materials) for projection mounts on pipes. Up until 1976 when the US banned import of ivory, some pipe makers offered it as an option. It was a natural material that looked beautiful mounted on a set of pipes. In a news story from August, 2014, two US bagpipers had their pipes detained by US border security at the US / Canada border because their pipes had ivory. Luckily they got their pipes back in time to travel to the Worlds with their band. Since 1976 the plastics industry has developed imitation ivory which is special cast polyester with the characteristics of real ivory (color, density, texture). The imitation ivory can be turned by lathe into mounts. On the sets of pipes that I have seen, this product works very well and is beautiful.

So if I ran the circus, what would I do to minimize illegal trafficking of ivory?

First, I would advocate maintaining a complete international ban of new elephant and rhino ivory. One huge ‘elephant in the room’ is testing ivory’s age. The cost of testing the age makes easy identification of ivory, as old or new, a matter of the owner providing proof of the ivory’s age. And if suspected as new ivory then testing would be called for. If everyone was honest, the problem would go away, yet greed gets in the way when there remains a market for ivory. Stiff penalties should be levied and the sale of confiscated ivory would be directed to protect endangered species.

Second, I would advocate the free trade of legal ivory within countries. Private individuals may hold and to trade, however I would require all ivory to be registered with a national registry. Ivory held outside of these requirements would be subject to confiscation. I can see obvious challenges to this .

Third, I would advocate that the penalties for poaching or engaging in any form of illegal trade in ivory (or in any endangered species) be very severe. Any monetary consequences would flow to programs protecting the elephants and their environment. There must be a component on education as well.

With 7.3 billion people now populating Earth, there will be people wishing for and able to afford exotic material, even though endangered species. Do we allow the use of endangered animal parts? If not elephant or rhino, what about buffalo, or walrus or Hippo or killer whale? To paraphrase former First Lady Nancy Reagan, “Just say no.”

Photo credit: KHALIL SENOSI / AP

On Bugs Bunny's 75th Birthday!

Growing up as a kid in the 1960’s, Saturday morning cartoons were part and parcel to my early growing up years. All of the major TV studios would show cartoons for our pleasure. It may have even been a follow-on to the wildly successful family programming of the Walt Disney Co.: The Wonderful World of Disney. Initially the format was to replay the cartoons played before theatrical released movies of the 1940’s and 50’s. Eventually, cartoon programming was being created just for TV and often used as a showcase that advertisers could show products to a burgeoning post war market. Breakfast cereals such as Frosted Flakes, Cheerios, and Rice Crispies immediately come to mind. Like Mickey Mouse is the iconic mascot of Disney, Bugs Bunny was to the Warner Brothers Studios. Bugs Bunny is celebrating his 75th anniversary today, 27 July 2015, debuting in “A Wild Hair” with the voice of Mel Blanc.

Of all the zany madcap cartoons Bugs starred in, it is his 1948 “My Bunny Lies over the Sea” that has Bugs getting lost on his was to vacationing at California’s La Brea Tar Pits and instead winds up in Scotland. He meets character Angus MacRory wearing a kilt and playing a version of Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond on his bagpipes. Bugs mistakes the pipes as a monster attacking ‘an old lady’, Bugs stomping the bagpipes to pieces, much to Angus’s chagrin. MacRory and Bugs spend the rest of the cartoon in various challenges such as golf and eventually a piping challenge. MacRory does his best playing a very fast pieced piece, but Bugs plays the bagpipes with bass drum balanced on his head (played by his ears) and various band instruments attached to drones, etc. When watching the cartoon again, I realize that both Bugs and the Scot MacRory are voiced by Mel Blanc.

As a kid, this classic cartoon would play every so often in the Saturday morning cartoon lineup, and when it did, I loved it. I do not recall when I first saw it, but I do recall it distinctly enough to describe it as some of the earliest bagpiping I remember. As a side note, I was amazed in junior high with a revelation that many of the cartoons seen on Saturdays were released before I was born and came from the 1940’s. Thankfully, I’m not so old as to remember the original releases, but it’s also wonderful to be old enough to have experienced some of those early moments and programming of the TV age. And that Bugs Bunny and his cartoon contemporaries are ageless and can still be seen.

So cheers to the creative team who created that “Wascally Wabbit’ for our delight and entertainment 75 years ago and for their insight in using the bagpipes as a bit of comic relief.

On Piping on the 4th of July

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” - Thomas Paine

On this 4th of July, 2015, the day starts early with preparing to march with the band in the Piedmont, CA parade. Our band has been participating in the parade some twenty plus years (so I’m told). On a Saturday morning, there is little traffic heading to the East Bay as our band members converge from all over the Bay area. Piedmont was the home of Catherine Young, our former Pipe Major, and is situated in the beautiful hill above Oakland and just south of Berkeley. As the celebration is a one direction parade half the band (those early to arrive) park at the end of the parade and walk the parade route to the staging area, and those who a rise and get under way a little later, park in the neighborhood near the start of the parade (they will have to walk back when the parade is over).

We meet at the staging area at approximately 8:30 for a 10:30 step off. Pipers immediately begin warming up adding the playing to the growing cacophony of sound. Through this process we each rough in our tuning in preparation for tuning with the PM. If you are like me, then you try and come prepared, practiced and tuned ahead of time so tuning (both chanter and drones) will go smoothly and quickly. It just so happened that this year, my high ‘A’ gave me tuning problems, drat! I was able to eventually sort it out and please the PM. The drummers are performing a similar ritual, tuning their instruments with the Drum Sergeant until he is satisfied with their sound. This year we have two new side drummers who are performing their first gig with the band, and one of them has never marched in a parade. So it will be a day of fun filled memorable firsts. Our amazing friends, the Piedmont Highland Dancers are also warming up, stretching and practicing for their number in front of the reviewing stand. At some point we are all called to ‘circle up’ and play the tuning sequence and then a tune of two. Then we break formation and wait our turn to go. Everyone is encouraged to stay in the shade as that is where we tuned. The warming sun will throw our tuning off soon enough. Maybe as the sun, and our playing warm the pipes, we will all rise in pitch together. We will be under way soon enough.

We march in formation, on the tap, to within yards of the starting corner of the parade. The Drum Major calls out the tune having conferred with the PM, then by the rolls we step off playing Crags of Tumbledown Mountain, our beautiful banner carriers in front (in red cowboy boots, band t-shirts and Glengarries) followed by the color guard. Piedmont’s 4th of July Parade is near perfect. Approximately one half mile long, cool weather, with great crowds cheering us on. Because of the length of the parade and the crowds lining the streets the full way, the band takes few breaks from playing. There are, as in all parades, some ‘starts and stops’ along the way. We even have a long enough ‘stop’ to have a practice run through of our band’s marching drill, then playing Orange and Blue for the dancers, and marching back into block formation playing Scotland the Brave. Before you know it, we are at the reviewing stand, perform for the judges then march out. Within the next several blocks, the parade is over. After dismissing, our PM plays Happy Birthday for our talented Bass drummer, Marie, whose birthday was on the 3rd of July.

To be part of an annual tradition such as a 4th of July parade with such an enthusiastic crowd is fun. Walking back to the car, I even met a couple friends for whom I performed solo for last summer at a birthday! It was great to touch base with both lovely ladies. I was home by probably 1:30 and still had time for BBQ with friends, and fireworks viewing with family and friends. Parades, U.S. flags, fireworks, and reflection of the diversity of our land and her people, the amazing liberties our fore fathers fought and won for us ARE worth celebrating. America does have her faults; we are a work in progress; we are one nation under God, founded on Biblical principles, and remains the greatest country on Earth. May God bless the United States of America!

Happy 4th of July!

On piping at the Battle of Waterloo

Two hundred years ago the Napoleonic Wars were fought. On June 18th, 1815, south of Brussels in Belgium with combatants: British, Germans, Belgians, Dutch and Prussians met against the French Grande Army with the leadership of the Duke of Wellington, Marshal Blucher and the Prince of Orange against the Emperor Napoleon. This was to be the decisive battle Napoleon’s comeback and drive to control Europe. Volumes have been written about the battle. At the reenactment of the battle I Belgium this year there was a photo of pipers as part of the Anglo reenactment. It peaked my curiosity as to stories about the pipers and their contributions to the battles.

At the Battle of Quatre Bras, fought between the Duke of Wellington's English-Dutch army and the left wing of the French Armée du Nord under Marshal Michel Ne It was fought on 16 June 1815, two days before the Battle of Waterloo and was fought near the strategic crossroads of Quatre Bras. From The Story of the Bagpipe by William Flood, published in 1901:

    “At Quatre Bras the role of piper-hero fell to the lot of Kenneth MacKay,
    the piper of the 79th Cameron Highlanders. At an important crisis he
    stepped out of the ranks and blew up “Cogadh na Sith” (War and Peace),
    an ancient pibroch, with startling effect, in the very teeth of the French
    cavalry.”

At the Battle of Waterloo pipers were attached to the 42nd, 78th, 79th and 93rd regiments, the pipers performed valiantly.

    “When the din of the battle of Waterloo raged most fiercely the bagpipes
    were heard in no certain fashion. The piobroch at the word of command,
    “Prepare to charge,” roused the troops, and it is said that one brave piper,
    when wounded in the leg, threw down his pipes and entered the fighting
    ranks, dealing havoc all round till he was killed. (Flood, 1901)”

During the battle, the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) formed into a defensive square to face the charge of the French cavalry. Piper Kenneth MacKay left the safety of the square to march before his comrades while he played the Pibroch, War or Peace, indifferent to the dangers he faced. Their meritorious actions the 79th earned the rare honor of being praised by Wellington in his Waterloo dispatch. Sometime after the battle, King George III was told about the incident and presented MacKay with a set of silver mounted bagpipes. The story goes on to say that MacKay was also asked later to play the piobaireachd for the Tzar of Russia, Alexander I (reigning 1801 – 1825).

Information about the 200th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo can be found at:
https://www.waterloo2015.org/en

These stories speak of real lives who stood in battle to be counted worthy of the sacrifice in serving their country. Men such as MacKay still inspire those of us who are inspired to play the music they did in hope of inspiring others, not just in entertainment but in life.

On Bagpiping for Honor Flights

Honor Flights mission: “Transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.” Begun in 2005 when twelve World War II Veterans were flown to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., local chapters such as Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation: http://www.honorflightbayarea.org  have been added across the U.S. The organization that puts the flights together is non-profit based, volunteer run and supported completely by public contributions. The veterans that participate pay for nothing but souvenirs. It is an amazing group of volunteers dedicated to honoring veterans of all armed force services. Our pipes and drums band has been honored to play for several homeward bound flights of which one, flying into SFO last Saturday, was one.

Our band arrived at the United Airlines counter at SFO and met an Honor Flight volunteer from the USO. She coordinated ‘boarding passes’ for us to enter the TSA secured terminal. The seven pipers (no drummers that evening) and my wife acting as camera person were given VIP treatment and given access to a non-passenger screening line. Of course, a group of bagpipers in uniform draws attention in an environment where travelers do not expect to see a bagpipe band. Many mobile phones took pictures of us along the way. Being in uniform and carrying pipes normally draws attention, but this was taken to a whole new level with the public. The TSA security treated us like any passenger and were asked to take off shoes, spats, glens, belts and everything containing metal and all, including bagpipes, were sent through the X-ray machine. Individually we stepped through the security scanner then proceeded to re-dress. One of our female pipers was subjected to a pat down for some inexplicable reason. She was not happy about it, but took it pretty much in stride. We were met on the other side of TSA security by a SFO manager coordinating the airport’s involvement with the Honor Flights. He escorted us to a room where we could warm up and tune. As always warming up is a cacophony of sounds and music. Tuning always takes a good deal of time, but everyone does there part having tuned with the band ‘a hundred’ times. The room we were in had a wall of glass open to the terminal so many travelers stopped, looked and listened. We even had a number of bold airline flight attendants step in to our room as we played tunes to get drones and chanters in tune. More camera phones came out.

The flight was approximately 40 minutes late, but we left our tuning room early to wander to the lower level gate. We met other Honor Flight welcome home volunteers that included a color guard, police, fire fighters, security teams from SFO and some family members who got permission (like us) to greet the flight. There were also Honor Flight volunteer staff handling the 20+ wheel chairs for the veterans returning from their trip. When the flight arrived, the civilian travelers disembarked first, walking cautiously through the gauntlet of flags and well-wishers. The Honor Flight staff then jumped into action bringing the wheel chairs down the retractable ramp to the plane where they helped the veterans disembark and prepare to be greeted. When the first veteran show at the gate door, we struck in with Scotland the Brave – Rowan Tree – Scotland the Brave, then followed with Green Hills of Tyrol and Battles O’er. As the gate was on a lower level the Vets needed to be transported up a level and once there were serenaded by a young woman who sang The Star Spangled Banner. Many of the veterans saluted or covered their hearts with their hands. She then sang, and we all joined in singing, God Bless America.

As soon as her singing had concluded and applause died down, we formed columns of two, struck in and led the color party and vets out of the terminal playing Crags of Tumbledown Mountain. Once exited, we halted and completed playing our set. We dismissed as a band, then greeted and thanked the veterans for their service. I met a veteran from the attack on Pearl Harbor, a tail gunner in the Pacific theatre who had been shot down twice by enemy fire and an Army Ranger who fought on D-Day. I would have loved to have heard some of their stories. What an honor it was to play for the elderly gentlemen. It is times like these that I love playing the pipes, and look forward to playing again, and again, for these American heroes.

On Pipe Band Management

Our band played last weekend for a Memorial Day Ceremony at Skylawn Memorial Park near Half Moon Bay. Eight pipers, four drummers and our Drum Major along with various camp followers. The day before the band played at the Half Moon Bay Pentecost Festival parade memorializing the fifty days following Easter. A week before the band played in Pescadero for a Portuguese festival and parade. Each had a different cast of characters playing in the band. To make each event happened is a crew of dedicated musicians who love to serve the band in many capacities.

Those jobs are for the most part, unsung hard working volunteers that want to see the band succeed and prosper. Think about what it takes to get to one event. First, there are weeks, if not months, of practice, almost every Tuesday evening. The band managers have to coordinate with our host church, St. Andrews Episcopal, Saratoga, CA to find us time in their sanctuary or gym. Our band President and Drum Major will send out detailed email reminders, and our Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant will run the practices. If there are issues with uniforms or drums, our band managers will coordinate obtaining gear from ‘the shed’. If something needs purchasing, then our band Treasurer will coordinate and money exchanges. If a related topic needs to be discussed by the Board of Directors, then the Secretary will keep notes. If reeds are going bad and new ones needed, then they need to be issued. If changes in music scores are needed, another volunteer updates the music and gets it posted on the band’s web site: http://www.stewarttartan.com/ Another volunteer coordinates with the parade organizers regarding any pertinent details regarding the event. That gets passed along to band management and entered on to the web site and TeamSnap website. And that’s before the day of an event! If the volunteers did their part, and practices went well, then the event will go smoothly. The members attending will come prepared and once at the event will for the most part, act as professionals, listening and obeys the Pipe Major, Drum Major and Drum Sergeant.

At a performance such as for Memorial Day, the band will arrive and dress in their uniforms. Each member looks out for the other to see that we look our best. After the pipers warm up and tune roughly, Pipe Major will complete the fine art of tuning. The drummers will work with the Drum Sergeant to insure that they are prepared and drums tuned. The Drum Major will keep a keen eye on everyone’s deportment to ensure that the ensemble of pipes and drums works together. The event’s performances then work with almost never a problem. The Drum Major and Pipe Major will work seamlessly together in accomplishing the goals of the team at the event. The old adage of “Proper prior planning prevents poor performance.” is true in a band as in every part of life.

Everyone doing their part, focused on our mutual goal of playing music to the best of our abilities leads to becoming a great band. Thanks cannot be offered often enough to our staff for tirelessly volunteering to move our band forward. My hat’s off to each. Thank you for all you do.

On piping for a wedding at the beach

When a young couple in love thinks of an outdoor wedding and chooses the beach, they have an amazing backdrop of sand, surf, sun and sky. The informality of the beach can be juxtaposed with the beauty of a bride with bridal party, either formal or casual. Music for a beach wedding can be equally fascinating. Some couples choose canned sound system with recorded music. Safe bet as even a small breeze can muffle the sound of live musicians. Violin and cello are beautiful with lilting strains of classical music. Guitar work well when amplified. But rarely does the sound equal that of the bagpipes.

The bagpipes at a beach seems to me to match the beauty of the surroundings. Waves rolling in, clouds rolling by and the stirring sound of the highland bagpipes as the bride accompanied by her Father walks down between rows of family and friends to an outdoor alter of sorts. And should the couple have ties to a Celtic background then the scene will be complete when the piper strikes in.

Almost any tune that is upbeat and grand will work for either stately processional or joyous recessional. Highland Cathedral, or Green Hills, Mairi’s Wedding, Simple Gifts / “Lord of the Dance”, Highland Laddie or a hymn such as “Be Thou my Vision” played at a tempo of the bride’s choice works.

The challenge for a piper is with the potential for temperature swings which can cause the bagpipes to go out of tune. Special care needs to be taken to keep the pipes stable. Warm and cold swings as clouds move through, as beautiful as the picture is, may cause the pipes to go out. The other consideration is that too much wind may stop a drone from playing lessening the full sound of the pipes. Playing facing into the wind (if the wind is blustery) is best, but the venue will dictate your position.

The piper is there for the bride and groom. Anything I can do to make their special day just that much better, I will do. I always suggest meeting the bride ahead of time to discuss. Even have a “Bagpipe Tasting” for the couple. Just as one might taste cake options at a bakery for the wedding cake, I like to think that a couple wants to get a sense (or taste) of what I bring to the wedding ceremony. So setting aside time to play for them gives a connection with them.

Weddings are THE most fun to play for and be a part of. Whether for the ceremony or for the reception, I love being a part of such a special day. Beaches aren’t just for picnics and splashing in the waves, but are a lovely venue for nuptials; Bagpipes optional!

On Piping Practice

Playing alto saxophone in 4th grade I was faced with the challenge of practicing. My Mom would gently remind me; my band instructor would remind me; listening to my playing would remind me of the need to practice. It’s not that practice makes perfect, but that practice can lead to proficiency. My technique will improve and I will be able to play more challenging music. There is an added component to practice in that it is physically preparing us to play outside of practice. Practicing the sax increased my strength of diaphragm, embouchure, and arms for holding the sax as well as gave my fingers a workout for controlling the instrument. So it is with the bagpipes.

At band practice most any evening we spend time with selected music for focus. We will play on chanters as a pipe corp. Passages will be explored; technique fixed; and unison of play emphasized. At times we will play chanters and pads. We will work with music, then without just watching the PM’s fingers and foot. We will work with metronome, then without. At times we will then play a passage solo with for all to hear. If anything gets me to practice it is knowing I will be playing in front of my peers and the PM. I guess I’m a sucker for peer pressure, even where pressure does not exist. I want to be as good as the top pipers in the band. So practice is part of that needed trajectory.

When we get to playing the pipes, we should expect that the practice translates in any tune. And we see that proficiency is enhanced by this method when we play in the circle. Remembering back to my earliest chanter lessons, my tutor put me through my paces until my lips were sputtering. With each subsequent week I improved and lips strengthened. Today if I set the pipes down for any extended length of time, my lips / chops / embouchure and gut / diaphragm / lungs will be shot and I will once again be left sputtering by the end of practice. But if I keep my pipes going, my time practicing will be fruitful. I will be able to focus on my chanter practice and my pipe practice hopefully increasing my skill.

Every practice do not need to be focused on exercises and memorization. Sometimes the best practice is just to play at a favorite locale, and play for the sheer joy of playing. That too will point out that more practice is needed ;-)



The lesson learned is: practice, Practice, PRACTICE!

On piping at the movies

As a kid growing up in Manteca, CA, the movie theatre our family went to was the El Rey Theatre located downtown on Yosemite Ave. at Main St. The classic movies of the 1960’s played on our local Art Deco screen. Ben Hur, Bridge Over the River Kwai, Operation Petticoat, Camelot and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea were among the many we watched there. My folks would pay a little extra for loge seating while my sister, brother and I sat in the regular seats below. It was at the El Rey that my Dad took the family to see Disney’s The Three Lives of Thomasina, and is the first film I recall seeing bagpipes played in. That I was probably just a little younger than the character playing the pipes helped my fascination, but I thought his playing was very good (not knowing about movie magic of dubbing in music over a pretending player).

A great site for is called Bagpipes Go to the Movies: http://fraser.cc/pipes/movies.html Compiled by: Scott Williams & Alistair B. Fraser this site is a work of pretty amazing scope and an obvious errand of love of all things bagpipes. Well worth bookmarking, the site offers some interesting comments about a great range of movies. For example, I looked up “Thomasina” and they have the following description, ”1963 This Disney film has a little boy playing the pipes at a cat's funeral. Thomasina is the cat and the boy plays Macintosh's Lament (very only a few mistakes) and Loch Lomond. He's obviously not really playing and his hands are reversed on the chanter. At one point he drops the pipes but the bag remains fully inflated.” Looking for bagpipes at the movies? Here’s a few of my favorites:


The Quiet Man - with John Wayne.

Kidnapped – Bagpipe dual instead of swords

Wee Willie Winkie – with Shirley Temple

Brigadoon – with Gene Kelly

The Longest Day – star cast with Bill Millin portrayed

The Fugitive – with Harrison Ford

Joyous Noel – Christmas ceasefire in WWI

My Bunny Lies Over the Seas – Bugs Bunny cartoon classic

Over the years the list of bagpiping in movies, and television, has grown. Ask a piper and he may recall a film immediately, as I have. A more recent movie featuring bagpipes was Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes, A Games of Shadows, released in 2011. Bagpipes play for Dr. Watson’s wedding. Also, my wife and I just finished watching the online streaming of the British TV series Outlander with opening credits played to Skye Boat Song with a singer and bagpipes. The series also features highland pipes in a couple of episodes. And thanks to the ever expanding work on the internet, you may see a movie, hearing the pipes and wonder what tune you heard. First go to the site above, or do a Bing or Google search and you are likely to find your answer. Finding the music may be a little more challenging, but that’s just half the fun. Enjoy going to the movies. Or pop some popcorn, rent a movie and you may be surprised at the pipes you hear.

On piping St Patrick’s Day

Piping for St Patrick’s Day each year is just plain fun! This year has been no exception. Our band traditionally marches in the San Francisco St Patrick’s Day Parade. This year it was on Saturday the 14th. As with all band gigs, all pipers and drummers arrived early, warmed up, tuned and tried out the parade sets. Then it’s stand around and wait for the parade to move. Once on the street we fall into a natural rhythm of marching to cadence then play a parade set. The crowds are large, and give us an enthusiastic cheer whenever and whatever we play. We are blessed to also have with us members of the Piedmont Highlander Scottish Dancers who perform with us to a couple dance tunes if we are stopped long enough to allow for them to perform. They will also dance with us at the parade review stand as part of our parade performance set. Thanks to the dancers, our Drum Major Paul’s choreography for the band and our Pipe Major Dan’s leading the band came in 1st place in the parade.

Afterward we walked back toward our cars, but instead of leaving, the band played at an Irish pub called the Chieftain: http://thechieftain.com/. There the band played back and forth with a small Irish pub band. We received a raucous reception as we played our parade sets and more. At one point, we cleared enough space for the dancers to offer a dance set accompanied by the pipe band playing Orange and Blue.

On the Tuesday evening of St Patrick’s Day, I was asked to play the Westbrae Biergarten in north Berkeley: http://www.westbraebiergarten.com/ This fine family friendly outdoor beer garden proved to be a wonderful place to spend the evening playing for the patrons. Kids enjoying the fountain and kid friendly play area while Mom and Dad with friends enjoyed delicious food and drink. Families enjoying a meal at spotlessly clean picnic tables under awnings. Others gathered around a fire pit. Face painters created works of art on all children wishing a small adornment. I’d easily rate this establishment as a Bay Area gem and give it two thumbs up for hospitality, food, drink and warm atmosphere. A good time was had by all!