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NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER
Volume X Number 3 - September, 2002
IT AIN'T OVAH UNTIL IT'S OVAH
...Or so they say. Pleasanton was HOT, just like last year, and they still haven't fixed the fan in that damn building. Good to see so many old and new faces; glad to have the help of Mike, Jamie, Sabrina, and Don. We'll see if Jamie ever gets his Ubersporran under control!
Unfortunately for us all there has been a dearth of new CDs out this year; only a few non-piobaireachd CDs. We hope the economy improves enough to see new albums. Speaking of which, P/M Paul Selwood of the Scots Guards brought their new CD by, and we have them in stock. Recorded in the barracks, the acoustics aren't the greatest, but the playing is of steady Gr.II standard. I just wish the army would use better drum settings....nice to see one of Brian's tunes on the CD, and many new compositions from their recent book, also in stock.
BTW we will have the World's CDs and the FMM live concert CD in by the first of October.
Some not inconsiderable flap occurred over the weekend, once again involving Gary Speed. Hell, he's now more unpopular than Black Part - or me! Hopefully all will be resolved, and Gary will be able to rebuild his band.
Left on the 3rd for SB, which is why the column is so late. Tudor Wall, a very fine gentleman and neighbor of my mother, died on the 28th of last month, and I was asked to play at his service on the 7th. Just a month ago I wrote a tune for him, which can be seen at A Salute for Tudor Wall. He was a noted sailor, woodworker, and all around great man. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Kay and his entire family.
I will be playing three 9/11 shows in the Bay Area this week, one at HEAR Music in Berzerkeley, then at 7.30 and 9.30 at The Canvas Cafe, 1200 9th Ave, in Sam DamCrisco. Then I'm off to D.C. for my brother's burial on the 19th in Arlington. That's going to be a tough one. Then back for the usual slew of fall weddings, and we'll be ready for Christmas - NOT!
Quite a few people ask me, 'What's the best reed setup for my pipes?'
It depends on what you're trying to achieve - band sound, solo sound, all-around sound, piobaireachd setup. Bands want optimum volume and tone, so many players go for wide-open synthetic reeds and gutbuster chanter reeds. Solo players want sweet tone, strong harmonic blend, and longevity.
With the right chanter and the right reed, you don't have to blow your brains out to get the 'big sound.' Here are a few combinations that work, listed in order of preference for each maker:
DRONES |
REED |
| Glen, Thow, Center, or MacDougall | GF Duatones; Lumsden cane |
| Lawrie | Mk I Wygents, Omega; Andre bass for either |
| Henderson, Kintail, MacLeod, Gibson | GF Duatones |
| Murray, Inveran, Gillanders and MacLeod | GF Duatones, Omega |
| Naill | GF Duatones; regular Duatones w/ Andre bass; Omega |
Chanter |
Reed |
| Kintail, older Naill, Sinclair, Hardie, Gibson, Inveran | Cuillinn Craft reeds; Megarity-Ross; Apps ridge reeds |
| Ian Murray; old chanters - Henderson, Center, Thow, MacDougall, MacDonald, old Lawrie | Long Cuillinn Craft reeds |
| Naill; McCallum, MacLeod | Megarity Ross; Cuillinn regular |
These are not the only combinations, but I know that these WORK. Setting up a pipe doesn't just happen. It takes some considerable experimenting to get the sound you want - good balance between drones and chanter, tight harmonic blend, easy playing, and long-lasting. Let us know what YOUR setup is and we'll add it!
Arlington WAS hard - the ritual is impressive. Four grey horses, the Marine Band from the Washington barracks, and a full platoon honour guard. It's just too bad he couldn't be there to enjoy it.
I walked the last mile with my brother today
In the garden of stone.
On a caisson drawn by horses grey
He rode alone.
Drum beats echoed hollow in the air
As iron shod hooves rang on the pavement.
A platoon his escort
To take him home in Arlington,
Where a century of heroes lie row on row
Their duty done.
The Honour guard carried him lovingly
For brother he is to all those there interred.
Amid presidents, astronauts, explorers and heroes
He takes a place well deserved.
The prayers are said; the volleys fired
And the flag is folded
Carefully, never to be unfurled.
Rest well weary soldier, now and forever;
The Corps has called you home.
Rest well, my brother.
Iain Sherwood, September 19, 2002, MacLean, Virginia
In Memoriam: Charles Sherwood III, Captain, USMC, 1941-2002; Vietnam 1965-66; Bronze Star with V; Purple heart w/ Oak Leaf cluster
No finer Marine ever walked the earth
Not much more to say except keep those orders coming in, and we'll see you around the Games.
BLACK PART SPEAKS - NEXT MONTH after the Angus MacDonald!
