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Currently a Grade 1 piper with both the Western & Eastern
US Pipe Band Associations, my musical background began in 1963 with the violin, and over the years has included
the french horn, sitar, electric bass, oboe and clarinet. Recently, however, I have devoted most of my time to Indian music and piping, with
formal training, piping schools, and workshops, including ASU School of Music, The Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming,
The Invermark College of Piping , The Jimmy McIntosh School of
Piping and Drumming , the North American Pipers Gathering for alternate pipes , the Kirsten Studio for
the Performing Arts, and Banjo Camp North.
What
I play - equipment
My bagpipes are all made by Dunbar Bagpipes of
Canada. The P4a pipes are full metal mounted, made out of a product called Delrin,
and use a Canmore zipper synthetic bag. They are not susceptible to cracking
and are much easier to maintain. The Dunbar DB-2a pipes are blackwood, with silver
metalwork, and also uses a Canmore zippered bag. I use EZ Drone (synthetic) drone reeds, and either Gilmour, or Harris
medium chanter reeds. When performing, depending on the location, I use a Dunbar
Delrin or a Dunbar Blackwood; both are the "Elite
II" model.
My other instruments include a 1925 Claude Veysay violin, and an Epiphone MB-250 Banjo.
BAGPIPE MUSIC
Traditionally, bagpipe music can
be categorized into
several major groups:
> Dance Music - Strathspey, Reel, Jig, Lilt, Hornpipe > Marches - 2/2, 2/4, 3/4,
4/4, 6/8, & 9/8
>
The Laments - Mainly used for funerals
> Piobaireachd - The classical music of the pipes
For general performances, I play a mixture of each of these,
and
also some of the more modern compositions. There are thousands
of bagpipe tunes available, so if you are looking for something
special, I will do my best to find it. Many of the Scottish Clans
have their own tunes and if available,
I will perform those at
your request. I also perform many of my own compositions,
and
will also compose a tune for your special occasion at no cost.
A Grade 1 solo piper & member of The
Eastern & Western US Pipe Band Associations, Clan MacKay, Pipers and Pipeband Society of Ontario, The Scottish Piobaireachd
Society, The Piobaireachd Society of Central PA, The Lowland and Border Pipers Society, The American
Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers (ASCAP), The Maine Arts Commission, The Maine Songwriters Association.
Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator - AI1B
EMAIL - ipipe4u@comcast.net
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