This is for those of you who might be interested to learn that, contrary to the belief of many, bagpipers do actually learn their musical skills! Here's a short Youtube video about the Army School of Scottish music. The film is a little stilted, presumably because it seems to be made by students and officers from the school, rather than a professional company.
As a child, my family home was just short distance from where the school is based in Colinton, Edinburgh... The sound of military pipers and drummers was the background to my childhood, particularly because my father was an officer in a proud Scottish regiment!
During July and August, the practising seems non-stop as the military bands get ready for the Royal Season in Scotland, where they play at Royal Garden Parties at Holyrood Palace and elsewhere in Scotland and for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held throughout August.
These men also go on active service, not just ceremonial duties.
We were all pipers in my family, except for my Uncle Alexander, who was a drummer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J6-QAUzCrI&mode=related&search=
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Comments: 11
what i am learning, in learning bagpipes, is that it takes a tremendous amount of lung capacity, for starters. it is much more difficult than i had imagined - the fingering, etc. yahoo for bagpipes!! what a LOVELY way to have a life, with that in the background.
my bagpipes teacher is at celticwoodwinds.com if you're interested! :)
I'm hoping in a year or two to get to Scotland. We still have family there and I would love to be able to hear authentic bagpipe playing.