Someone in my neighborhood is learning to play the bagpipes

[StephMK]

Last year I felt like I should apologize to all of our neighbors. My kids were learning the baritone & cello. It sounded like we were skinning cats and beating walruses in our house!

Hope your neighbor improves soon!

 

[Michelle67]

I love bagpipes. Now I have figured out how to get even with my neighbor that loves to entertain us with his stereo. I will take up the bagpipes.

I love bagpipes too. They give me chills (guess it's in the blood...) Maybe that's what I need to do also, to get even with my neighbor's son who likes to work on cars at three in the morning and rap the engines up redline to test them out. And of course they're always either unmuffled or sporting glass-packs or something equally LOUD.

OP...sorry about that. They certainly do sound hideous when they aren't being played well. Hope your neighbor improves quickly.

 

[golfgal]

Last year I felt like I should apologize to all of our neighbors. My kids were learning the baritone & cello. It sounded like we were skinning cats and beating walruses in our house!

Hope your neighbor improves soon!

Dh and I were remembering back when the twins were learning their saxophones in 5th grade and how we would cringe--Hot Cross Buns can be REALLY bad on a saxophone. . Now they are pretty accomplished and are playing some music for marching band that has some pretty complicated runs through the pieces and how far they have come. We no longer make them practice in the basement "because it was cool down there" .

 

[minkydog]

My DS16's high school band has bagpipes...Helene, since you are from the area, you may have heard of Liberty HS.

Well, my neighbor played pipes for them, and when she was learning...well...lets just say all the dogs in the neighborhood were barking. She is now in her third year of college and still plays- very well!! She lands a lot of paid gigs...weddings and funerals...and plays in a few bagpipe bands.

Best of all, my DS12 started playing drums in 4th grade, and we bought him a drum set in fifth grade. You know what they say about paybacks??

When i was a kid the local HS had it Grenadier Band complete with leopard-print draped drummers. I remember admiring my best friend's sister who used to practice up in there room in the evenings. Can't say that my parents shared my feelings.

I have always wanted to play bagpipes. I even bought myself a chanter, the main piece you blow on without the bag. My DH had a fit! He felt he had bent about as far as he could. I also play oboe and that was about all he could stand. Bagpipes are like having 14 bad oboe players in a tin shed.

 

[topolino]

Considering that bagpipes are one of those instruments that sound bad even when played well, I feel for ya!

 

[dandave]

I love the bagpipes too, and men in kilts are HOT!

 

[Art 1]

they are NOT gifted They must be close and sitting outside because I can hear them INSIDE with just one window open in my kitchen... its not a good sound.. At. All.

they are NOT gifted.

Well, I guess the mother is not on the Dis forum.

 

[HelenePA]

they are NOT gifted.


Well, I guess the mother is not on the Dis forum.

I live in PA... need I say more

I bet REALLY good bag pipers sound awesome though!

 

[JessicaR]

I love bagpipes when played well. Usually means a kilt or two also - sorry you arent getting the best of!

 

[DeaverTex]

I dearly love bagpipes. They make my hair stand on end -- or at least what's left of it! -- when they're well played. That includes the Highland pipes and Irish pipes, as well as the medieval and renaissance pipes. If you like bagpipes and feel daring, try checking out the band Corvus Corax on Youtube. They're sort of a cross between metal, medieval, and goth -- and they use lots bagpipes as well as other early instruments.

The people I know who play bagpipes well spend almost all of their practice time using just a chanter. The electronic ones are MUCH quieter than the whole instrument, or even just an acoustic practice chanter.

The people I know who play bagpipes poorly... Well, I avoid 'em.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Is that Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" I hear?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm about to go on vacation to northern Spain, and the bagpipe is one of the main musical instruments (my cousin plays it). So, I'll be hearing it a lot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gzTMp5VCFY

 

[mtblujeans]

We had some kind of toy bagpipes when we were kids (it was a loooong time ago). My Dad loved that we tried to play them....my mom threatened to shove them down our throats! I never did learn to play a musical instrument!

I feel deprived....

 

[Nancyg56]

Last year I felt like I should apologize to all of our neighbors. My kids were learning the baritone & cello. It sounded like we were skinning cats and beating walruses in our house!
!

My DS used to practice his trumpet on the front steps when he was learning. My DD paid him popcorn if he would stay outdoors, he was that bad! My poor neighbors............

I bet REALLY good bag pipers sound awesome though!

They do! My oldest is getting married in September and their will be bagpipes during the ceremony. You have no idea how many prayers I have offered that the piper will be good

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I think the OP lives near me! Not really, but DS14 plays the bagpipes. He started on the chanter, and got his Highland pipes for Christmas. We make him practice outside--it does sound pretty bad sometimes, but it's one of his few passions, so we want to encourage him.

A couple funny stories--we have neighbors whose kids are really, really talented musicians--their son was a concert pianist before he hit puberty, practices 4 hours a day. If we hear him playing, we send DH out--if we can't beat them in talent, we'll get 'em in volume! (meant in total jest, of course).

DS14 did play "Amazing Grace" for the middle school talent show--we even rented him a kilt (won't buy one until he stops growing). I was concerned because he's a quirky kid, has a lot of social issues, and frankly, his bagpipe playing isn't the best. But, he got a standing ovation! I was so glad to see the other students respecting his efforts.

 

[marcyinPA]

When i was a kid the local HS had it Grenadier Band complete with leopard-print draped drummers. I remember admiring my best friend's sister who used to practice up in there room in the evenings. Can't say that my parents shared my feelings.

I have always wanted to play bagpipes. I even bought myself a chanter, the main piece you blow on without the bag. My DH had a fit! He felt he had bent about as far as he could. I also play oboe and that was about all he could stand. Bagpipes are like having 14 bad oboe players in a tin shed.

That is the name of our HS band. And our drummers have those leopard print smock-ie things too. The pipers wear kilts, and the rest of the band wears uniforms that are identical to the Coldstream Guard. In fact, they are imported from England. They are a sharp looking band!!!

 

[Kona65]

they are NOT gifted They must be close and sitting outside because I can hear them INSIDE with just one window open in my kitchen... its not a good sound.. At. All.

That is so COOL!!!! Wish I could do that.