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Ron.M -> RE: Damn Music! (May 24 2005 20:08:39)
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Hi Tom,
I'm not an expert in Highland Bagpipe music, but it is pretty interesting stuff when you hear the real "pìobaireachd" players, (pronouced "peo-broch", with the ch like the sounding of the Spanish "j" as in "reloj").
The stuff that you hear in the pipe bands etc is pretty simple musically, but nevertheless has it's own particular emotion if you like the sound of the pipes.
Some massed bands have a sound that just brings tears to your eyes, the overall effect is just so stirring and moving.
Pìobaireachd is very different though..
It's played only by a solo piper, who starts with a very basic outline of the musical theme and then begins to embellish upon it, until it becomes very complex.
Rather like an Indian "Raga".
(It's said that the idea of the bagpipe started in India)
It is very profound to hear, as it has no "tune" to speak of.
The bagpipe is limited in notes and dynamics (obviously), but the main development seems to arise from the rhythm of the piece, the rhythmic accents being done by "bouncing" the finger on a particular note, that produces a strange and captivating sound and becomes the "signature" of a player.
The tone, feeling and execution of this "bouncing" technique is what makes a player expressive.
This is the kind of stuff I heard on Sunday...
On hearing just a few notes I just knew this person did not play for a massed band.
This guy was a musician!
cheers
Ron
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