Bagipes Banned from Edinburgh Wedding !

**davidlpope** · 23rd July 11, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Slightly off-topic, but I'm curious about the quartertone sharp tuning of a chanter. Is that a sharper than the drones, thereby giving a richer sound from the tones rubbing, or is everything tuned up a bit? Also, what other organological modifications do competition pipers make to increase the volume and brassiness?

466 is actually a relatively "flat" tuning of a chanter. Bagpipes don't work on a conventional A=440hz scale. Our pipe band tuned A=476hz. The tenor drones are always tuned an octave below Low A on the chanter, the bass drone is two octaves down.

As far as not being able to have pipes in a particular church, if you don't agree with the rules, find another place to play ball...

David

**FatherWilliam57** · 23rd July 11, 07:54 AM

Once again, thanks to the members of this forum for giving me an education. In over 20 years of ministry, I have never had a couple request a piper at their wedding (or even have a family request one at a funeral). But at least now if the situation ever arises, I will know what reasonable requests can be made of the piper to make it a good experience for those in attendance and cut down on any potential complaints. Again, thank you.

**saxandpipes** · 24th July 11, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

466 is actually a relatively "flat" tuning of a chanter. Bagpipes don't work on a conventional A=440hz scale. Our pipe band tuned A=476hz. The tenor drones are always tuned an octave below Low A on the chanter, the bass drone is two octaves down.

As far as not being able to have pipes in a particular church, if you don't agree with the rules, find another place to play ball...

David

Quite right.

Bagpipes are actually what would be known in "normal" musical terms as transposing instruments. Meaning that when they play a given note (let's use A), it actually sounds another in relation to a non-transposing instrument, such as the piano. The saxophone is also a transposing instrument. (An A on an alto saxophone would sound as a C on the piano, and the A of the pipes- somewhere between a Bb and a B).

I have an old (50s/60s maybe) chanter, and can be played in tune with concert pitch instruments. It also probably tunes to around 466, but this is referring to the A of the pipes... it would actually sound a Bb on the piano. (So when I'm playing a tune in A, it will sound in Bb on the piano).

The pipes therefore, would be considered to be "an instrument in C#", which is rather unusual. (Saxophones, and most other transposing instruments, come in the keys of Bb and Eb).

In general this is not a major concern, as most pipe-bands stick to their own, but problems do arise when individual pipers go out and want to play with other instruments as OC Richard mentioned, but I doubt that most people would really notice if the pipes were tuned sharp or flat. I've also had the experience of trying to play saxophones in tune with a pipe band, with pretty much disastrous effect.

Anyway, I can't agree with the narrow-minded classification of pipes being exclusively instruments of war, but I think (Highland!) pipes sound best outdoors anyway... that at least is what they were designed for!

Cheers!

Michael

**piperdbh** · 24th July 11, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by saxandpipes

I've also had the experience of trying to play saxophones in tune with a pipe band, with pretty much disastrous effect.

Trying to play saxophones in tune with ANYTHING causes disastrous effects.

**saxandpipes** · 24th July 11, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Trying to play saxophones in tune with ANYTHING causes disastrous effects.

Now that is rich coming from a piper...

Oh hang on a minute...

**piperdbh** · 24th July 11, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by saxandpipes

Now that is rich coming from a piper...

Oh hang on a minute...

It's really coming from a high school chorus teacher whose office shares a door with the band room, where in a month and a day there will be 15 or so juvenile sax players and holders wanting 3 and 4 and maybe even 4 1/2 reeds so they can be louder than each other when they go outside for marching band. Get the picture?

**saxandpipes** · 24th July 11, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

It's really coming from a high school chorus teacher whose office shares a door with the band room, where in a month and a day there will be 15 or so juvenile sax players and holders wanting 3 and 4 and maybe even 4 1/2 reeds so they can be louder than each other when they go outside for marching band. Get the picture?

My condolences! ;)

Exactly why I've never played in, nor will ever teach/direct a marching band!

**creagdhubh** · 25th July 11, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

466 is actually a relatively "flat" tuning of a chanter. Bagpipes don't work on a conventional A=440hz scale. Our pipe band tuned A=476hz. The tenor drones are always tuned an octave below Low A on the chanter, the bass drone is two octaves down.

As far as not being able to have pipes in a particular church, if you don't agree with the rules, find another place to play ball...

David

David,

Sidenote - didn't know you were a piper, wonderful mate!

Kind regards,