WELCOME
My name is Jon Darrah, I have been a member of the Los Angeles Police Department since 1989. Over the years I have daydreamed about playing the pipes, this year I am determined to make it happen. I was looking at NYPD's and Chicago PD's Pipe and Drum Band web sites and was duly impressed with the fact they have about 100 guys each on the roster respectively. Chicago draws from all of the law enforcement agencies in the greater Chicago area, as LAPD draws from the greater LA area, however we are nowhere near that many people on the roster. I got to thinking that out of all the agencies in the LA area, I can't be the only cop out there that is interested in learning to play the pipes or drums and joining our band. So in addition to learning to play, I am running a recruitment campaign with the idea that if we get a group of us starting out at the same time, it will be easier to support and motivate one another to combat the attrition rate. If you have any questions please click on my name under contributors to be directed to my e-mail.
Getting Started
Well you made it to this blog page which shows you have an interest in the subject matter. This is good, because a desire to play is all you need, the rest is quite doable if you have the desire. The reason I'm going into this is there are some people that say they love the sound of a pipe and drum band but could not go on this journey with us because: " I am too busy and don't have the time" or "I can't afford it". To address the time issue, 10 to 20 minutes a day of practice, every day, is what we are shooting for here. I have been told on good authority that with 10 mins on the practice chanter a day, you should be playing the pipes in about a year ( your mileage my vary). As does any long journey it starts with that first step which brings us to can you afford it. The only thing you have to buy to get going is a practice chanter. The middle of the road price is around $65 to $85. I will refer you to Oliver Seeler's web site from the links section, click on" Oliver Seeler's universe of bagpipes". Oliver has all kinds of tutoral information that covers the selection of a practice chanter quite well. (There is not a lot of mark up on these but I have spoken to Oliver and he has agreed to knock a few bucks off if we order 4 or more at a time, let me know if interested in taking him up on that, and don't buy a tudor book until you have spoken to the Pipe Major on the subject). So the initial investment is around $80 for a practice chanter and $25 for membership in the Emerald Society which gives you group lessons free of charge. A good set of pipes will cost you around $1100. Yes that is a good chunk of change but you have about a year to budget for that. ( to be cont.)
That’s a good question. Why play the pipes? We are not professional musicians. We are coppers that enforce the law and do th
e right thing when no one is looking or no one cares. Why pick up the bagpipes and play them? Let me try and answer that question this way:
1. Playing the bagpipes is unique. Not everyone plays them. It truly is a special instrument that is not commonly played. It feels good to be able to do something that not everyone else can do.
2. The bagpipes are steeped in tradition. The bagpipes date as far back as the Egyptians and the Romans. The bagpipes stretch from yesterday and to today. Throughout many wars, the bagpipes gave courage to warriors in the heat of battle. When the bagpipes are played, you are connecting to a long history of tradition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MOUcIp5W34&feature=PlayList&p=59101C7274988DD5&index=03. The bagpipes are a beautiful instrument whose sound can make men cry. Take a minute and listen to Amazing Grace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwb5Ai7LN3c&feature=related4. Perhaps the greatest reason is what better way can we honor those that have gone before us. By playing at funerals, memorials, and tributes we honor those brave warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Once you pick up the bagpipes and play them you realize it is so much more then just playing a musical instrument.
Bagpipes Cryin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzjiCJrY-F4&feature=related
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Thank you for those links & sound samples. What you posted is sensitive & entirely true. The pipes are the most bittersweet form of communication I've ever been exposed to...talks straight to your heart. Incidentally, images of bagpipes are represented in art (paintings, etchings...) from ancient times until now.
ReplyDeleteCheck it out> http://www.prydein.com/pipes/
I agree with you Carrie - the pipes strike the heart's chords.....
ReplyDeleteCliff, good choices...what is more classic than Amazing Grace??? Your links would make any real man cry.
beautiful & mournful they are.
ReplyDeleteDay is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
What's your opinion of a woman playing the pipes? Mostly I see men....I'd like to take it up....or at least try...but unsure if....Any opinions?
ReplyDeleteRosie, I am just starting the instrument myself -harder than it looks! In case the bagpipe doesn't work out for you, try this recipe for a splendid cocktail called "Bagpiper's Melody" made with whiskey & cream de menthe!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.in-the-spirit.co.uk/cocktails/view_cocktail.php?id=302
I truly hope week 2 will be better than week 1. The practice chanter looks harmless, but even that simple item can make a 6'5" man feel like a f o o l
ReplyDeleteActually Cliff,
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard to explain WHY an individual would want to play the bagpipes --an extremely difficult challenge --you either get it immediately --or you don't. My husband "got it" --I am glad you get it too, sir!!
there are allot of bagpipe music clips on www.youtube --check it out!
ReplyDeleteI found this useful on my own "journey"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bagpipejourney.com/