gone piping emagazine

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©schoolofpiping.com

GonePipingeMagazineschoolofpiping.com

May 2021

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Fáilte:Wehave now seen the resurgence of some face-to-face competition in 2021. There aresomeseminarsplannedandofcoursetheonlinecompetitionsarestillbeingrun. WeseemorebandsbackatpracticeanddespiteANZACmarchesinthemaincitiesbeingrestricted,wehaveseenalotofpipersoutintheirlocalareasandsomebandsleadinglocalmarches.Moreopportunitiestoperformmeanbetterstandardsandwiderexposuretothepublic.Itcanonlybegoodforeveryone.

Ourwebsite,www.schoolofpiping.comisanInternetbasedresourceforpipers. Itcontainsanarchiveoftechnicalarticles,reviews,historicalinformation,photographicalbums,soundfiles and video files that are freely available to pipers everywhere. Most importantly itincludesaShopthatsupportstheworkwedotopromoteandeducatepipingaroundtheworld.

Pleasefeelfreetopassthismagazineontoanythatmightbenefitorenjoyreadingitwithourcompliments.

Brett Tidswell

ADVERTISINGToadvertiseyourbusinessorproductinthismagazinecontact:[email protected]

Unbeatableratesandhugeexposure.Copyright©2021SchoolofPiping/BrettTidswellAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystemortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionoftheeditor.

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Contents:

RUBrownPiobaireachdSocietyContestfor2021.Page3

Asummaryofthisyearseventsandresults.

McCrimmon’sSweetheart.Page8

Storiesbehindthetunes.

WhatMakesforaBadSound?Page12

Weansweraseriousquestion.

What’sattheSchoolofPipingShop?Page22

AdetailedlookatwhatiscurrentlyavailableattheSoPshop.

Review–TheFyrishCollection.Page28

WereviewthelatestmusicbookfromNiallMatheson.

ChanterReedDifferences.Page32

Alookatwhatthelatestcombinationshavetooffer.

CaptainNormanOrrEwing.Page36

Thecomposerandthestorybehindthetune.

RUBrownEventsfor2021.Page39

Anupdateonthe2021events.

Classifieds.Page41

Advertsforanythingpipingrelated!

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TheUltimateGuidetoBagpipeReeds

Purchase“TheReedBook–DVD-Rom”at:http://www.schoolofpiping.com/shop/advanced_publications.html

Alsoavailabledirectfromstockistsandvariousreedmakers.

WhatothershavetosayabouttheReedBookDVD-Rom!

“Ihighlyrecommendthisbooktoanyonewhowantstoknowmoreaboutreeds,howtheyaremade,howtheyworkandhowtoadjustthemforwhateverresultyourequire.”ShawnHusk-Reedmaker

“IdoubtthatthereisanotherproductthatcoverssowellwhatthisDVDcovers–highlyrecommended.”P/MBillRobertson-exTheRoyalScots

IhavegonethroughtheDVD-Romthoroughlyandfinditslayoutsuperb...userfriendly and a timely addition to your text. This should be a recommendedreferralforallpipers,especiallytheexperiencedwhoareofteninneedoftrueandtriedmethods...manythanksandallthebest.KenEller–Canada

AMustHaveItemForEveryPiper

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RUBrownPiobaireachdSocietyContest2021BobBrownattendedAdelaide,SouthAustraliain1972andfollowinghisvisittheRUBrownPiobaireachd Societywas formedwhen local pipers learnt of his passing upon his returnhome to Scotland. It has now been 48 years since the Society first ran the GoldMedalcompetition.Ithasgrownovertheyearsfromalocalcompetition,whichsomeverygoodpipers from interstate and often a few from overseas supported, to what is now a trulyinternationaleventwithpipersfromalloverAustralasiaandoftenfurtherafieldattending.

Initially theeventwasceòlmòronly,with lightmusicbeingadded in theearly 1980s. Inrecent years the event has used some 12 adjudicators, has had over 120 competitors insomeyears,and featuresahigh level recitalandtutorial sessions in thedayssurroundingtheevent. It is amonumental taskoforganizational skills anda veryexpensiveevent toconduct.

This yearwas like turning back the clock. The eventwas run featuring 3 grades of ceòlmòronly.TheMervHalltrophyfornovice,arestrictedgradeforthosewhohavenotwonthebronzemedalandanunrestrictedgradewithnomedalsbeingofferedthisyear.Therewashoweveranexcellentturnoutofbothcompetitorsandspectatorsandmostpleasantlyagoodstandardofplayingacrossthegrades.

TheeventwasrunatthePaynehamRSLHall,whichprovedtobeanexcellentvenueforthissizeofevent.TheHallwaspleasanttoplayinandthefacilitieswereexcellent.Someextratuningroomswouldbenice,butthefacilitysufficedforthissizeofevent.TheadjudicatorwasBarreyNiven,along-standingmemberoftheSocietyandlocaljudgingpanel.IainCarrdidanexcellentjobofregisteringtheplayersandconductingthedraw.

Results:NovicePiobaireachd(MervHallTrophy):1stCarolynMacdonald(DuncanMcRaeofKintail’sLament)

CarolynMacdonaldandBarreyNivenwiththeMervHallTrophy

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RestrictedPiobaireachd:1stCharlesLewis(TooLonginthisCondition)2ndAdamEarl(LamentforCaptainMcDougall)3rdWilliamMulligan(TheLittleSpree)

CharlesLewiswinneroftheRestrictedPiobaireachd

TheUnrestrictedPiobaireachdwasconductedaftera lunchbreakwithAllanTosenof theCityofAdelaidePipeBandactingasfearantigheintroducingeachoftheperformancesandtheir tunes which were selected at the judges table. The audience were treated to anafternoonofexcellentpiping.ResultsfortheUnrestrictedPiobaireachd:1stBrettTidswell(McCrimmon’sSweetheart)2ndPeterHewlett(BelovedScotland)3rdBrianScown(Glengarry’sMarch)

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PrizewinnerBrettTidswellandjudgeBarreyNiven

TheSocietyhasaskedthat thanksbepassedontothe judgeBarreyNiven,aswellas IainCarrandAllanTosenwhoassistedinrunningtheeventonthedayandtothecompetitorsandspectatorsforsupportingtheevent.

Itishopedthatthecurrentcovid-19situationwillallowmonthlypipingmeetingstoresumeshortlyandcompetitionstoreturntotheirusualformat.

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McCallumBagpipes

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MacCrimmon’sSweetheartIt isbelievedthatMacCrimoon’sSweetheartwascomposedbyDonaldRoyMacCrimmon,brotherofIainDubhwhoisdocumentedasoneofthelastofthehereditarypiperstoClanMacLeod.ItsGaelictitleisshownas,“MaolDonn”inthePiobaireachdSocietycollection.

The tune is generally accepted to be a lament being published in AngusMacKay’sMS as“CumhaMhuilDuin” and is supposed tobea Lament forMuilDuin, sonofConolKingofCantyre.PeterReid’sMSrecordsthetuneas“MhaolDonnMorar’sMarch”.

Ithasbeen suggested that the tuneas ithas comedown tousmaybea composite. Thesiubhal,taorluathandcrunluathvariationsaresaidtocloselyresembleothertunesknownas:“TheBattleoftheRedHill,”“TheBlackPlaid”and“MenoftheBlackTartan”invariousmanuscripts.

WasMoalDonntheMacCrimmon’sfavouritebrowncow?

Thetune isoftenbelievedtobeaboutafavouritebrowncowthatwaspulledfromabogandsavedfromacattleraid.ThewordsoftheGaelicsong“MaolDonn”aretranslatedas:

“ItwasnotfortunateformetogetyouMydear,myMaolDonnSearchingforyouandfindingyouAndpullingyououtofabogLaidbackJohnehoroTheyhaveliftedthecattlefromthemeadowsTheraidwillcomeonusAndbymyhandyouwillfindthem

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Johnbeout,ohoTheraidisaboutthehouse,ohoTakewithyouaClaymore,ohoAndabowandarrow,ohoItwasnotfortunateformetogetyouMydear,myMaolDonnSearchingforyouandfindingyouAndpullingyououtofabog”

TheHighlandRaidbyRosaBonheur,paintedin1860

Ithasnotbeenmadeclearinanyofthemanuscriptswhattheactualstoryofthetuneisorindeedwhattypeoftune,althoughit isgenerallyacceptedasbeingalament.Infactwithmanytunes, it isoftenbelievedthatthetitlesoftendon’tmatchthetunes.Whateverthestorybehindthistune, it iscertainlya lovelypieceofmusicanddeservestheattentionofanypiperwantingaworthwhileadditiontotheirrepertoire.

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WhatMakesforaBadSound?A student recently asked me a question that I have never been asked before. That isactuallyquitearareoccurance.Tobehonest,Ihavebeenaskedsimilarquestionsbefore,butalways fromadifferentangle. Thisstudent,who Imightadd isaseriousmainstreammusician,butreasonablynewtopipingsentmeaclipofabandplayingatarecenteventand asked; “How do you get a band to sound that bad?”. As we continued into thediscussion,Irealisedthatthiswasactuallyaseriousinquiry.Theusual“howwouldyougetthat to soundbetter?”orwhatever thequestionusually is,hadbeen flippedon itshead.Thestudentwenton,“seriouslythatissobad,itdoesn’tevensoundlikebagpipes.”

Myinitialresponsewasthatthiswasjust,“completeanduttermalpracticeonthebagpipe”.A fact,butthatwasn’tgoingtocut it, thiswasaseriousquestionandthereforeaseriousanswerwasexpected.Ihadtoactuallygivethissomethought.Thereareanumberofwaysto get a good soundoutof abagpipe,but if you thinkabout it, thereare infinitelymorewaystomakeabagpipesoundbad,andthatcompoundswhenyouaddmorepipers.

Thinking about the answer, it struckme that thismight be a good way to reinforce theimportantthingsaboutgettingasound.Thequestionsaskedduringthediscussionindicatedthatitwasactuallynotobvioustothestudentthatanumberoffactorsgointosoundandthat they link together and if improperly conducted they combine to exacerbate theproblem.

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Setupandmaintenance

Obviously the first step ingettingabad sound is toget the setupwrong. Thepipeswillneedtobedifficulttoplayorcontrol,notverysteadyandshouldnotfittheplayerproperly.Old reeds are best for this purpose, preferably not matching. A synthetic bag with nomoisture control systemorone that ispoorlymanagedwith lotsof restrictive valvesandgadgetswillworkwonders.

Plasticchanterreedsthatdonotbalanceinthechanterorcanereedssetuptoapitchthatdoesn’t suit the chanter is a greatway tomake an instrument that doesn’t sound like abagpipe. Combine thatwithpoorlywound joints and loose joint thatwill not stay in thesameplace.Crackedstocksand/ordronetopsareafavourite.Thesethingscombinedwillensureanyattemptattuningdoeslast.

Nowcombinethesetogetherinabandandensurethatnoneofthesetupmatchesandtheblowstickvalvesleakandabandisreallyonitswaytoanabsolutelymingingsound.

Alternatively,forabandtogetagoodsteadysound,setupshouldbeuniformed.Reedsingoodcondition,thesamebags,moisturecontrol,chantersandinstrumentmanagement.Allchanterscappedafterplayingandpipersplayforthesametimebeforetuningetc.

Instrumentstrengthandstamina

Thereisacertainstrengththatbagpipeshavetobetobecontrollableandtoholdagoodsteady sound. Two faults bands oftenmake. One is to set the bagpipe well below thatpressurebecausethepiperslackstamina.Pipeswillvarywithbadblowingandwillbemoresusceptibletochangesintemperature.Agooddoseofmoisturegoingthroughaftersomeplayingwillgetdroneswaveringandstoppingandchantersgoinghorriblyflatoreveneasiersotheycanbeblownincrediblysharp.

Somereallyunsteadyblowingandtheoddelbowstabatthebagtogetagoodshrillsound,somesquealingandagoodchanceofstoppingsomedronesandyouwillmakethemostofareallyeasysetup.

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Thesecondfaultistodemandveryhardreedsforallpipers.Especiallyforthosepipersthathave reallypoor staminaandneverplay theirpipesathome. Reallyget themstruggling.Flatblowing,choking,unsteadyblowing,lipsvibratingandpain.Lotsofpain,theyhavetosufferasmuchastheaudience.Themorethey look liketheyarestrugglingthebetter,asthatwillgivethevisualappearancetomatchthesound.

Obviously a similar, comfortable playing strength for all pipers with good blowing andstaminamakesforagoodsound.

Tuningandprocedures

Goodmaintenance goes to producing an instrument thatwill hold tone and sound good.Balanceofpressuresofallreedsensuresthatanyvariationinblowingwillresultinminimalvariationinsound.Itwillalsoproduceamorerefinedsound.

There is nothing more frustrating when tuning a band than finding something soundsterrible justaftertuninganddiscoveringslidesthatareso loosethenewlytuneddrone isslidingdownthepinofitsownfruition.Equallyfrustratingistryingtotuneaslidethatissotightyouhavetoapplypressuretothebagtotuneit,alteringthepitchoftheinstrument.

Piperswhodonotdrytheirmoisturecontrolsystems,wholeavechantersinpipesorwhostartplayingwell before the restof theband,or standingaround talkingwhile theotherinstrumentsarewarmingupcontributetoabadsoundmorethantheyrealise.

Toreallymesswiththesound,thepersontuningthebandshould letthepiperswarmupwherevertheylike.Someundertrees,someagainstwalls,someonwetgrass.Togetatrulybadsoundstandhalfyourpipersinthesunandhalfintheshadewhentuningandhopefullythesunwillcomeinandoutfrombehindcloudswhileyouaredoingit.Coldwindandhotsunaregreatcombinationsforbadsound.

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Anticipatingtheweatherandplayingconditionsisalsothejobofthesoundman.Guessingwrong can certainly add to a bad sound. We wrote at length about tuning in variousweatherconditionsin“TheCompletePipersHandbook”.

Dotunershelptogetabettersound?Wellyesandnoistheanswer.Youhavetoascertainthe number to tune to. This involves getting an accurate reading from a properly tunedbagpipeblownatthepressurethatwillbeplayedintheband.Getthiswrongandthetunerwill bedetuning theband. Wehavehada lotofquestions lately aboutwhatnumber totune to. The simple answer is that the numberwill change as you progress. Itwill alsochangeduetoenvironmentandtemperature.Itisbesttobalanceachantertoptobottomandthentakeareadingwhentheinstrumentiswarmedup.Ifyouwanttogetareallybadsound, tune to some randomly ascertained pre-set number, completely unrelated to thecurrent situation. Worse still keep tuning to that number rather than changingwith theclimate.Movingreedsandtapeconstantlyisarecipefordisaster.

Togetagoodsound,learntotunequickly.Thefasteryouarethebetterthesoundyouget.If pipes are tuned in the same conditionwith the same playing time theywill always becloser than if there is a lot ofwaiting or playingwhilst tuning. Dither andworry aboutminorissueswhentherearemajorthingstodealwithtothedetrimentofgoodsound.

Intonation

This issomethingeverypiper inthebandneedstolearn. Theyhavetobeontopoftheirinstrumentandtheyhavetolearnthesoundthatyouwanttogetfromthebandandwhatitsoundslikewhentheystrayfromthatsound.Changesbetweentunes,partendingsandcutoutsareareasofparticularvulnerability.

Thereisnopointspendingtimetuningabandifthepipersarejustgoingtosabotagethatsoundassoonasyoustartplaying.Blowtoneandstayintunewiththesoundaroundyou.

Integration

Theother important issue isactuallyplayingtogetherandonthebeat. Avariation intheinterpretationofwherethebeatfallsora lackofaccuracy inputtingthebeat intherightplace can often sound like a continuous stream ofmistakes. The same goes with beingunfamiliarwithtunesandchanges.Droppingpressureorcuttingchantersouttoworkoutwhatcomesnextisdisastrousforanybandattemptingtogetanysemblanceofasound.

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Theunexpected

Funnily, the better prepared you are, and the better you are at tuning a band, the lessseemstogowrong.Iftheinstrumentsinthebandaresetupinasimilarfashionandwellmaintained thebetter theywilldealwith somesuddenchangeof temperature, rain, sun,increasedplayingtime,standingaroundwaitingtoplayetc.

Irememberasayingthatusedtofloataroundpipingcircles;“Properpreparationpreventspiss poor performance”. In this day and age of synthetic products and tuners etc. it hasneverbeeneasiertogetawell-presentedbagpipe,butthereisstillsomethingtobesaidforthatphrase!

Conclusion

Itisalwaysinterestingtoseethesurpriseexpressedbyothermusicianswhendiscussingtheintricaciesofbagpipesound. Inthis instance,thestudentwasverysurprisedwhenitwasclearthatIwasnotgoingtobeabletogiveasimpleanswer.Badtuningorbadsetupwasapparentlytheexpectedanswer,oneortheother.Insteadtherearenumerousfactorsthatgotomakeabadsoundandtheyallcontributeintheirownway.Itisveryeasytogetabadsoundfromaband, it is justaseasywithproperpreparationto followa fewsimplerulesandgetagoodsound.

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AttheSchoolofPipingShopwecantakecareofallofyourPipingandHighlandDressneedsanddesires!

Contactusatschoolofpiping@gmail.comforeverythingfromreedstotweeds!

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Bagpipes, chanters, practice chanters by David Naill and Co now

available from the School of Piping Shop, contact us at: [email protected] to order.

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SCHOOL OF PIPING PRODUCTS http://www.schoolofpiping.com/shop.html

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What’s at the School of Piping Shop?

ebayStoreFortheconvenienceofourcustomerswehaveanebaystore.Manyofourproductscanbepurchased thereaswell as fromour siteor callingusdirect. You can visit theebay storehere:http://stores.ebay.com.au/schoolofpiping

It ispreferabletocontactusdirectatschoolofpiping@gmail.comtotakeadvantageofthebestserviceandadvice.

ChanterReeds.InadditiontoournormalrangewehavenowaddedG1Platinum.Theseareexcellentbandandsoloreeds.DonaldMcPheechanterreedsarestraightcutsoloreedswithabroadtoneand good Piobaireachd High G. We also have a large stock of Shepherd,Megarity andMelvin ridgecutsandGilmour straightcutreedsatall timeswhichareverystable,brightandexcellentbandreeds.From$18ea.Reedcasesalsoavailablefor$15.

DroneReeds.We are now stockingEzeedrone Increased Absorbent Reeds ($139), SelbieDrone Reeds($120),andtheKinnairdEvolutionReeds($150),CanningBlueReeds($138)

AsalwayswehavealargestockofReedsfrom,Kinnaird,Canning,Ezeedrone,Crozier,MG.

Wecanoftenmixandmatchbassdroneswithsetsoftenorreeds.

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PracticeChanters.WehaveincreasedourrangeofPracticeChanterstoincludetheMcCallumP2($85)andP4($120), which are the standard and long length Chanters with no mounts. These areinexpensive,nicesoundingandexcellent fornew learners. Weretaina largestockof theimitation ivorymountedChanterswhich lookexcellentand soundgreat ($130and$150).WealwaysstocktheLogan’sBagpipeTutorwithCD-Romandwearehappytoputtogethersomepackagesforlearners.

Logan’sTutorwithoursupplementarylearnersguideonCD-Rom

PipeChanters.We have the newDavid Naill and Co wood solo chanters in stock. These are very full,vibrant andwell pitched. TheMk3McCallum andMC2arebothexcellent solo chanters.Enquireaboutourspecialpricesformatchingbandsetsofchanters.WealsohavetheMk3Shepherd Chanters asplayedbyScottishPower, ShottsandDykeheadandFieldMarshallMontgomery. Boderiouwoodsoloand thenewpolyGandyChanterswhichhavea smallhandspacingareallinstock.

PipeChanterCaps.We currently stock chanter caps by McCallum, Moose and also the new Bagpipe Skinchantercaps.Thesearemulti-colouredwitharemovablestoppertoincreaseventilationtothereed

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PipeBagsandMCS.We are now supplying the Ross Leather Bag ($297) and New xtra comfort bags,WillieMcCallumBag($290)fromBannatyne,aswellasourusualstockoftheircompositezipperbags($290).WenowalsostocktheBannatyneMoistureControlSystem($125)andDri-Flo($90). This isanexcellent systemthatprovidesa longerplaying time, iseasy tomanage,dustfreeandcompletelyairtight.Wecantieonandsetupthesystemforyou,oryoucandothatforyourself.Wealsohavethesilicabeadsavailableseparatelyifyouwouldliketoreplaceyourexistingdesiccantwithacleaner,moreeffective,hasslefreeproduct.WenowalsostockGannawayBags,BennettandRoss.Trap-DriMoistureControlSystemsarenowinstockat$40eaandthefullsystemwithbottleorclosedhosefor$57.

TunersandElectronicChanters.TheBlairProfessionalHBTC1isnowinstock,thiswilltunethebagpipetothecorrectscale.WehavetheBlairElectronicChanternowinstockalso.

HumifiersandHygrometers.We are now stocking theHumistat adjustable Humidifiers that fit in your pipe case andmaintain your instrument at a stable humidity level. Alongwith a hygrometer this is anexcellentwaytohelppreventcracking,warpingandshrinkage.Atjust$40forthepairthisisexcellentinsurancetoprotectyourinvestment.

This is an excellent accompaniment to our highly ratedMakers ChoiceRange of oils andwaxes.Thisincludes,jointlube,exteriorwax,boreoilandoilingrods.

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AllofYourPipingNeeds.Westockall pipingaccessoriesandareable to supplybagpipes frommostof theWorldspremiermakers.WealwaysstockMcCallum,MacRae,andNaillBagpipes. Wealsohaveanumberofvintagebagpipesavailable.

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WecanalsoquoteandsupplyanyuniformorDrumming itemsandhaveaccesstoawiderangeofpremiumsilverbuckles,sgiandubhsandkiltpinsatveryreasonableprices.

Our fullprice listandcataloguescanbeviewedatwww.schoolofpiping.com. Feel free tocontact is anytime for advice or a quotation and any specific [email protected].

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TheFyrishCollection-Review NiallMatheson is from the villageofNewtonmore in theHighland region. He learned toplay pipes under JohnMacDougall andDr KennethMackay. He servedwith theQueensOwn Highlanders for 11 years and then opened his own business, Cabar Feidh BagpipeSuppliesinInverness.Niall has won both of the gold medals at the Northern Meeting and the ArgyllshireGathering and three gold medals at the Braemar Highland Gathering. He was theGlenfiddichrunnerupin2000.NiallhasbeenaninstructorforschoolsinEasterRosssince1997.

NiallMathesoncomposer,soloist,teacher,author.

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InNiall’s ownwords, hehadbeenmeaning to collate the tuneshehadwritten for someyears,butstruggledtogetaroundtoit.ThiswashiseffortduringthefirstCovidLockdown.Badfortheplanet,greatforanyonethatwantssomegoodtunestolearn.

Thebookiswelllaidoutandhassomephotographsandinterestingstoriesaboutthetunes,whichnomoderncollectionwouldbecompletewithout.

There is nomucking about, straight to the big stuff, four self composed Piobaireachd toopen the book. The first piobaireachd is about the Highland Clearances (without whichmanyofuswouldnotbewherewearetoday).Allgoodtunes,allmusical,alleasytofollow,whatmoreneedwesay!17Marchesfromcompetition2/4sthroughtosimpletwoparters,4Strathspeys,7AirsandWaltzes,9 Jigsand13Hornpipes. All composedbyNiall. ApartfromsomeharmoniesandanarrangementbyColinMelvilleofTannahillWeaversandCityofAdelaidefame,Niallwroteeverythinginthebook.Itisararityinthisdayandagenottofindsomecontributionstofillthepages.

HavingjustreadSirTommyMacpherson’sbookabouthiswarexploits,itwasgreattoseealament dedicated to him. For those unfamiliarwith hiswork, Tommywas known as the“kiltedkiller”andsetEuropeablazeduringWW2,evencapturing25,000Germansand1000vehiclesbypretendingtocommandtheDdayforces.Somecharacter!

ThebookwhichcontainssomegreatmusicbyagreatpiperisavailablefordownloadatThePiping Press site for ameasly 12 quid, so do yourself a huge favour and go get a copy:https://pipingpress.com/product/the-fyrish-collection-by-niall-matheson/

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Chanter Reed Differences

Thechanterreedisverydifferentfromadronereed.Itisknownasadoublereedasithastwobladescutfromamorematurelengthofcane.

Thechanterreedconsistsofabrassstapleortubethattheothercomponentsofthereedareboundto.Itcanbemadefromalengthofsolidtubeslightlycompressedatthetopend,or made from flat sheet of brass, rolled into a tube, with an unsealed seam, and againcompressedatthetopend.

Thebladesof the chanter reedarebound to the staplewith awaxedand sealed thread.Therearetwotypesofbladeswhichresultintwotypesofreeds,thestraightcutormoldedreedandaridgecutreed.

Astraightcutreedcomparedtoaridgecutreed

Straightcut reeds taper fromthebiding to the tipof thereed.Theyaregenerallya fullersounding reed and are responsive tomany variations when sanding ormanipulating theblades.Theytendtobequitepopularwithsolopipers.SomeexamplesfromourstockofreedswouldbeShepherdStandard,GilmourandMcPhee.

Ridgecutreedshavealargetoneboxandarethenheavilycutawaytothetopofthereed,wherethiscutbeginsformsaridgeinthecenteroftheblade.Theyareverythinatthetipand are generally a clean sounding reed often with a shorter life span than the heavierbladed straight cut reeds. They generally are easier toblow in andare verypopularwithbands. Some examples from our stock would be Melvin, Megarity, Warnock, G1 andShepherdridgecut.

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Selectingareed

Firstvisuallyinspectthereed.Thebladesshouldbeidenticalandcutstraightacrossthetop,notatanangle.Thecaneshouldbehardwithawell-spacedgrain.Tryindentingthebaseofthebladewithafingernail,thereshouldbelittleornoimpressionleft.Checkthesidesofthereedtoensurethatthebladesmeetallthewaydowntothebindingandthereisnochanceofaleakalongthesides.Lookforchippedcorners,cracksinthecane,orotherdamage.

QualityreedsandadviceavailablefromtheSchoolofPipingShop

Lookattheapertureatthetopofthereed.Thebladesshouldbothformanevenellipse.Ifonebladeisellipticalinshapeandtheotherstraight,thestraighterbladeisstrongerandshouldbesanded.Ifthecurvatureisnotevenacrosstheblade,thereisathinnerorweakerspotalongtheblade.Removingsomecanefromthethickersectionmayhelp.Thebladesshouldmeetattheedgesandnotoverlap.Theyalsoshouldnotsplayapartatthetopwhenlookingatthereedsideon.

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Next,blockthetipsofthereedagainstthepadofyourfingerandblowthroughthestapleend.Thereedshouldbeairtightandnotleakfromthesides.

Nowturnthereedaroundblowthroughthereed.Itshouldsoundasolid“craw”.Araspingnoisethatholdsconsistentlywithapressureincrease.Thisisoftenlessobvioustheeasierthereed.Nowplaceandplaythereedinthechanterandlistentoqualityoftone,vibrancyandtruenessupthescale.Donotbeoverlyfussywithtruenessofscaleastherearetuningremedies,whichwewilldiscusslater.Obviouslywearetryingtoweedoutthelemonsatthisstage.Thereedshouldfeel“free”toblow,notrestrainedordull.Itshouldnotfeellikeyouhavetopushairthroughthereedwithlittleresponseinreturn.

Putthereedinthepipesandtestagainstthedrones.Thereedatthisstageshouldbeslightlyharderthanyouwishtoplayasitwill“blowin”andeasewithafewgoodplayingsessions.Oftenthebottomhandwillbealittleflatandthiswillcomeupwithsomeplaying.Ifthereedflattensorbecomesalittleharderafterthefirstplayingsessionthisislittlecauseforconcernasithasjustretainedalittlemoistureinthecane.

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CaptainNormanOrrEwingThis is a fine 2/4march composed by PipeMajorWilliamRoss of the 2nd Battalion ScotsGuards.Lighter thanacompetitionstyle2/4marchasplayed inprofessionalcompetition,butcertainlyatunewellsuitedtotheIntermediatelevelevents.

ComposedbyPipeMajorWilliamCollieRossMBEwhowas knownas, “TheWorld’s PipeMajor”.Rossisarguablythemostwellknownpiperofthemodernera.

Born inGlenStrathfarrar, Inverness-shire in1878. Rosswas taughtpipingbyhisparents,butalsohad lessonswithhismaternaluncle,AeneasRose,whowaspiper to theDukeofAtholl.RosstravelledtoBlairCastleforlessonsduringhisschoolholidays.

Atage18hejoinedtheScotsGuardsandfoughtwiththe1stBattalionintheBoerWar.Atage 24 he became Pipe Major of the 2nd Battalion where he would remain until beinginvalidedwithacuterheumatisminNovember1917.BothWillieRossandhisbrotherAlec(PipeMajorofthe1stBattalionScotsGuards)servedinFranceduringtheGreatWar.In1919WillieRosswouldtakeoverastutortotheArmySchoolofPipingwherehewouldcontinueteachinguntil1958.

RosswontheGoldmedalattheNorthernMeetingin1904andattheArgyllshireGatheringin1907.Hewouldgoonandwinarecord8claspsatInvernessand11formerwinnersMSReventsatObanandInverness.Easily,hewastheforemostcompetitorofhisday.

PipeMajorWilliamRossattheArgyllshireGathering

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The Scots Guardswere involved in heavy fighting in Flanders during the first year of theGreatWar.PipersplayedinthefirstassaultingwavesastheBattalionswent“overthetop”.Thisresultedin7piperskilledand17woundedbymid1915.Rosswashimselfwoundedbyshrapnelduringthistime,someofwhichcouldnotberemoved,anditremainedwithhimfortherestofhislife.Ifthisrateofattritionhadcontinued,therewouldhavebenopipersleft.ItwasreluctantlydecidedtostationthepipersbehindthelinesandallowthemtoplaytheBattaliontoandfromthetrenches,butnolongerintoaction.

After40yearsofteachingPipeMajorsatEdinburghCastle,publishingaseriesoffivebooksandhavingoneofthemostoutstandingcompetitiverecordsofhisera,Rosspassedawayonthe23rdMarch1966.Fewhavehadmoreinfluenceonpiping.

CaptainNormanOrr Ewing. Rosswrote this2/4Marchasa tribute to thisofficerof theScotsGuardswhohadservedinSouthAfricaandtheSudan.DuringtheGreatWar,hewaspostedtothe1stBattalionIrishGuardsin1914.Aftertheirbattalionstrengthwasreducedfrom800to160inoneweekoffightinginNovember1914,hewasthemostseniorofficerleftaliveandunhurtandtookcommandofthebattalion.

During this action, the line had been near breaking point, but company after companydeliveredwhatblowtheycouldandfellback,shelledandmachine-gunnedateverystep,tothefringesofZillbekeWood.Herealltheofficers,everycook,orderlyandsoldierwhocouldstand, took rifle and fought, for they were all that stood between the enemy and theChannelPorts.Theyjustwouldn'tbebroken,andtheline,suchasitwas,held.

OrrEwingwasawardedtheDSOforgallantryunderfire.Hewasmentionedindispatchesfivetimesandwaswoundedtwice.Hesurvivedthewar,buthisbrotherwaskilledontheSomme.

CaptainNormanOrrEwing

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Topurchasegoto:http://www.schoolofpiping.com/shop/beginners_publications.html

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Upcomingevents:RUBrownPiobaireachdSocietyofSAInc.

WhilstinAdelaidein1972,BobBrownrepeatedlyexpressedawishthatweshouldregularlycometogetherandplay,notinthespiritofcompetition,butjusttolistenandenjoyalltypesandlevelsofpipemusic.TheSocietynowregularlymeetstofulfilhiswish.Meetings

TheSocietyholds regularmeetingson the firstFridayof themonth.MeetingsareheldattheProspectRSL,WilcoxAve,ProspectSAcommencingat7:30PM.Atmeetingnights,pipersareabletoplaybothpiobaireachdandlightmusictothoseinattendance,oralternativelyjustcomealongforalisten.Entranceisagoldcoindonationtowardsthesuppliedsupper.Everyoneiswelcometoattendandtakeadvantageofsomeexcellentpipingandthefriendlyatmosphere.

ComingEvents

6thMarchRecitalNight27thMarchErnestDowlerCompetition

2ndMay2020GoldMedalPiobaireachdCompetitionandRecital5thJuneRecitalNight

5thJulyPipingintheParkRecitalAfternoon7thAugustRecitalNight

22ndAugustPortAdelaideCaledonianSocietyCompetition4thSeptemberRecitalNightandAGM

ComingTutorials

10thMayTutorial

ALLEVENTSCANCELLEDUNTILFURTHERNOTICEDUETOCOVID-19

Fulldetailsforeventsandtutorialstobefoundatwww.rubrown.org.au

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NOWavailablefrom:

TheschoolofPipingShop

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CLASSIFIED ADS Tomakeuseofthisservicecontactusat:[email protected]

FOR SALE: A new extended medium Canmore hybrid – 4 Collar/Zip pipe bag. The bag comes supplied with a jubilee clip, O ring, tape, zip lubricant and a moisture control tube. The bag is guaranteed for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase, January 21, 2021, and seller will provide the invoice for proof of purchase. Price is $120.00 for pickup (Noarlunga Downs SA) or $130.00 with Express Post. Posting within Australia only. Contact [email protected] to be referred to the seller.

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FOR SALE: Bagpipe c.1964 brand unknown. Good condition and plays well. Set up at School of Piping 2020. New Ross Bag, Shepherd tone enhancers, MG Carbon reeds. AUD$1200. Contact [email protected] to be referred to the seller.

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PASTEDITIONS:

PasteditionsofGonePipingMagazinecanbedownloadedfrom:http://www.schoolofpiping.com/shop/advanced_publications.html

gone piping emagazine

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