Category: Pipe Music

Editor’s Notebook: Henderson’s Shop/ Highland Games/ Sir John MacDonald/ Stuart Easton/ Campbeltown Book

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On a pleasant perambulation through Glasgow city centre the other day I passed the Atholl Arms pub in Renfrew Street. They’ve this old picture in the window. If you look closely you can see bagpipemaker Peter Henderson‘s shop next door at number 24. This was where John MacDougall Gillies held court of a Saturday, passing on his great knowledge to those crowding in. It was here too that RG Hardie…

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Pipe Band Workshop: A Closer Look at Medley Construction

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When building a Medley, pipe majors should consider time constraints. Some of the most successful bands in Grade 1 in recent years have tended to limit their Medley to just over the five minutes. (The requirement in this grade is five to seven minutes.) These bands can still produce exciting music within the shorter time frame and have less likelihood of any slip up. Introductory Tunes: These can win or…

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History: Peter Henderson, the Iconic Bagpipe Maker

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The following is taken from a 1930s catalogue of the famous Glasgow firm of pipe makers…… To our customers we offer this our latest catalogue, hoping that the confidence and goodwill which has for so long existed may continue in the future. To prospective customers we hope this catalogue will prove of value to them and lead to business associations that will be to our mutual advantage. To old friends…

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Be a Better Piper: Learning Canntaireachd, the Piper’s Language

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The non piobaireachd player may be wondering what this ‘canntaireachd’ (pronounced approximately ‘can-cher-ach’) is. No mystery, no big deal. It’s just mouth music, a sort of formulated diddling common in folk traditions the world over. In Scotland, when we had a sense of humour, it has been characterised in the music hall as ‘heedrum-hawdrum’, or, when inverted for comic effect by the Glasgwow folksinger Matt McGinn, ‘you haw der um…

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Pipe Band Workshop: Some Tips on Competition March, Strathspey and Reel Tune Selection

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A general rule of thumb for tune selection in March Strathspey and Reel competitions, more especially in the lower grades, is to avoid six-parted tunes. With them you increase the potential for error and you will succeed just as easily with four-parters. Check on the most popular pieces – the RSPBA programmes from Major Championships are good source. There you will find all the tried and tested, quality tunes. Lower…

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