Pipers at weddings

[OC Richard]

The only concern I have is that the pipes will be too loud for the room

As I said in an earlier post in this thread, a good piper who has a variety of instruments and setups at his disposal can play at any volume level that is appropriate, from nearly as loud as a full pipe organ to softer than a single violin. If the piper you're hiring can't do that, in my opinion you should hire a piper who can.

[OC Richard]

Also, if he has to stick around for any length of time, make sure there is something to eat and drink.

Yes it would be gracious to offer food and drink to the musicians, but I myself politely decline. If you're talking alcohol, I personally do not drink alcohol when working, and music is my work. And I don't like playing Highland pipes with a stomach full of food.

[OC Richard]

You might be able to find a piper who owns a set of fireside pipes

Be aware that "fireside pipes" is one specific maker's brand name for his Scottish Smallpipes. It would be like saying "make sure you have a Ford to drive there" when any other brand who do as well, and in fact a Mercedes or BMW might do the job even better.

For reasons beyond understanding, dozens of pipemakers simply call their Highland pipes "Highland pipes" but have felt the need to coin titles for their Scottish Smallpipes, rather than simply call them what they are. So Gibson (USA) calls his SSPs "Fireside Pipes", Walsh (Canada) calls his SSPs "Shuttle Pipes", Shepherd (Scotland) calls his SSPs "Highland Musettes" and you'll also see "Studio Pipes" and "Session Pipes" and what have you.

All the 19th century pipemakers in Scotland made smallpipes, which back then they called "Miniature Highland Pipes" or "Chamber Pipes". But nowadays the generic term is "Scottish Smallpipes".

Anyhow as I've said now a few times, any good piper should own a set of Scottish Smallpipes (by whatever brand) and in addition should be able to "set up" his Highland pipes to play at a variety of volume levels, so that he can perform at any volume level required. Scottish Smallpipes tend to be very quiet, and usually play at a lower volume than a single violin or flute.

[masonpiper]

I started to read this thread and it took me back to my wedding from hell, thats when I started getting paid in advance as it was a perfect storm of bad, AND I will not post of it save in some of the lessons I learned. When I was first doing weddings, I had some great experiences, I started out with a CD I made of tunes that I played well and thought would go with weddings. Highland Cathedral, Hyfrydol, AG, Mari’s, and a bunch of others, depending on Churchiness vs non churchiness. This was very easy to make even in the mid 90s. I would sit down with the couple and talk about when and what after they listened to the CD. The worked awesomely and I was happy and so were the couples. A common plan was 20 minutes of light music before the event with some of my band and kitchen piping sets all happy and mood lightening, pipe the groom in, do a set of Ode D’joy/Simple Gifts and/or AG/Hyfrydol a bit later, lastly, I would pipe the Couple out and the guests to the reception with Mari’s Wedding and after a few rounds of that, any upbeat tune I wanted. I was charging 75$ for ½ hour or fraction thereof, 100$ for travel/hour and I would be there 1 hour early to tune and make sure everything was good, that hour was not billed for. I charged the same for the rehearsal. If I was offered food, I would expect to eat it after the event and in the kitchen /service area as I am not a guest, and the only drink I will take is a piper's toast or a bottle at the end. I never allow anyone but the Bride or Groom have ANY say in what I do at a wedding with the exception of the person that THEY tell me will be in charge while they are getting ready and with the couple I make sure that person know what they, the couple expect. The rules have made weddings an event I look forward to. It sould like you have a great plan and vison and best wishes for your wedding.


btw I did not drink any booze at the wedding from hell, maybe I should have ;)

[Destin_scot]

Meggers,


OC Richard is right on the money about a good piper being able to control the volume of the pipes when being played. But I still say the the GHB can be overpowering in a confined space. Since you have over a year before the event; if you can afford it, go listen to the piper play in an area comparable in size to the the room where you want him to play.

Best of luck in everything working out as you want it to.