Bagipes Banned from Edinburgh Wedding !

[JSFMACLJR]

My father was an Anglican/Episcopalian priest. He had parishes in both the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Episcopal Church USA. He would never allow pipes to be played inside the church; outside would be fine. My father loved the pipes--but just not in the church. No exceptions. If that caused a problem for anyone, well, sorry, try someplace else.

[kiltimabar]

Bagpipe volume can be controlled? They can be tuned? Who knew? I'll bet there are a lot of people who are totally unaware that there is more than one way to play the pipes besides loud and proud!

[EagleJCS]

Bagpipe volume can be controlled? They can be tuned? Who knew? I'll bet there are a lot of people who are totally unaware that there is more than one way to play the pipes besides loud and proud!

Volume can't be controlled as can an electric guitar's. Generally speaking, the pipes are on or off, and always have been. Increasing volume has been gradual, as has the rise in pitch. (We're not talking about a great degree of difference in volume, either. Probably only about 10 dB, if that much.) I would liken it to the difference between standing just around the corner from a piper and standing in front of one.

[saxandpipes]

My father was an Anglican/Episcopalian priest. He had parishes in both the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Episcopal Church USA. He would never allow pipes to be played inside the church; outside would be fine. My father loved the pipes--but just not in the church. No exceptions. If that caused a problem for anyone, well, sorry, try someplace else.

What was his reasoning, if you don't mind my asking?

[JSFMACLJR]

What was his reasoning, if you don't mind my asking?

Well, the Church frowns upon the use of "secular" instruments in her liturgies. Organs yes, pipes no. That would be the number one reason.

I'm sure a bit of my father's thinking was based on the old "instrument of war" aspect of the pipes, as well. He would laugh and use that reason with prospective brides and such, but really the main reason was that the Church frowns upon instruments that are purely secular. Whilst my father was an Anglican, he was an Anglo-Catholic, and would have been familiar with the Motu Proprio "Tra le Sollecitudini
" promulgated by Pope St. Pius X in 1903, which stated:

VI. Organ and instruments
15. Although the music proper to the Church is purely vocal music, music with the accompaniment of the organ is also permitted. In some special cases, within due limits and with proper safeguards, other instruments may be allowed, but never without the special permission of the Ordinary, according to prescriptions of the Caeremoniale Episcoporum.

16. As the singing should always have the principal place, the organ or other instruments should merely sustain and never oppress it.

17. It is not permitted to have the chant preceded by long preludes or to interrupt it with intermezzo pieces.

18. The sound of the organ as an accompaniment to the chant in preludes, interludes, and the like must be not only governed by the special nature of the instrument, but must participate in all the qualities proper to sacred music as above enumerated.

19. The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.

20. It is strictly forbidden to have bands play in church, and only in special cases with the consent of the Ordinary will it be permissible to admit wind instruments, limited in number, judiciously used, and proportioned to the size of the placeprovided the composition and accompaniment be written in grave and suitable style, and conform in all respects to that proper to the organ.


I hope that answers your question.

[saxandpipes]

It does,

Thank you!

Very interesting about the piano... I wasn't expecting that!


Cheers,

Michael

[creagdhubh]

It does,

Thank you!

Very interesting about the piano... I wasn't expecting that!


Cheers,

Michael

I agree as well - very interesting to learn of this and to my hears (no pun intended!), it makes sense. I also agree with the sentiments of other members in regards to this partilcular topic, if it upsets you that the pipes will not be played inside a church, perhaps at a wedding as in this example, then perhaps you should look elsewhere. I understand that many pipe bands and solo pipers do in fact play, or compete in an indoor setting, and that is perfectly acceptable, but to play inside of a church...sometimes, and in this specific case, is not entirely acceptable.

Traditionally, the Great Highland Bagpipe is indeed an outdoor instrument (arguably called an instrument of war), many of us are already aware of this, and in my opinion, the pipes should primarily be played as such - they just sound better outside - especially when the wind carries the skirl of that wonderful, pleasing, particular sound of the chanter!

Slainte,

[saxandpipes]

I agree as well, very interesting to learn of this, and to my hears, it makes sense. I also agree with the sentiments of other members in regards to this partilcular topic, if it upsets you that the pipes will not be played inside a church, perhaps at a wedding as in this example, then perhaps you should look elsewhere. I understand that many pipe bands and solo pipers do in fact play, or compete in an indoor setting, and that is perfectly acceptable, but to play inside of a church, sometimes, and in this specific case, is not acceptable.

Traditionally, the Great Highland Bagpipe is indeed an outdoor instrument (arguably deemed an instrument of war), many of us are already aware of this, and in my opinion, they should be primarily be used as such - they just sound better outside - especially when the wind carries the skirl of that wonderful, pleasing, particular sound of the chanter!

Slainte,

I imagine that what would upset the clergy about the pipes being played in the church is that at least in the case of a wedding, they would be playing something lively. (Remember that in pipe music itself there is also quite a strong divide between "light" music and the "serious" music of piobaireachd! But I won't get into that can of worms here...)

As for playing a lament at a funeral, I would imagine that this should be entirely appropriate... however... again, it would simply sound better outdoors at the grave site, or even better, a slight distance away. (Especially if it was way up in the mist-covered mountains...!)

Perhaps an instrument of that volume is simply meant to be heard from afar.

Cheers!

Michael