Hardly identified as Americana, and certainly not indigenous to the new world is the music of Scotland. It is primarily exemplified by the music of bagpipes—the national instrument of Scotland—and drums.
Surprisingly, Scottish music, pipe bands and highland dancing has enjoyed an increase of interest and popularity in the past 20 years. This form of music has always been popular in the British Isles but its infectiousness has spread across the “pond” to the United States.
The Bagpipe
A Bagpipe consists of a bag, a chanter and several pipes to produce its unique tones. Air is blown into the bag through a blowpipe. The bag is a reservoir which holds the air and regulates the release of air into the pipes by squeezing it. The chanter is the melody pipe played with the hands like any woodwind instrument. The difference between it and other woodwinds is the chanter only has seven to nine holes. The Great Highland Bagpipe usually has three drone pipes. Drone pipes sound a continuous tone while the chanter plays the melody.
Pipe Bands
A pipe band consists of a number of bagpipes, snare drums, tenor drums and a bass drum. One of the pipers is called the pipe major, usually a senior member, highly qualified and proficient on the instrument. He frequently instructs the other pipers in technique and style of playing. The band is led on the march by the drum major who gives all the directions and signals for marching and starting and stopping of the music. The marching style of the drum major and the use of the baton or mace is very formalized, stylized and quite uniform among all drum majors. However, each drum major projects his own individual style as well.
It is truly amazing to realize how many pipe bands there are in the U.S. Many police and fire departments support a contingent of pipes and drums used for mostly ceremonial functions such as weddings, funerals, parades and many occasions both commercial and private.
The Edinburgh Festival
The granddaddy of all ceremonial events or meetings is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held each August in Edinburgh, Scotland. The term Tattoo is derived from the Dutch for “last orders.” In military parlance it was used to describe the last duty call and also a ceremonial form of evening entertainment by military music personnel.
This annual meeting of military bands, massed pipes and drums and other military units is so popular that it draws over 200,000 spectators each year on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. It has sold out in advance for the last decade. If one is fortunate enough to obtain a ticket, the military tattoo is performed every weekday evening and twice on Saturday through the month of August. A testament to its popularity is, it is televised in 30 countries and over 100 million people view it worldwide.
The preponderance of the performers is from the British Isles. They include: Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment); Royal Highland Fusiliers (Kings Own Scottish Borderers); Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment); The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
In addition to these British units, many international regiments have performed over the years. The Royal Netherlands Grenadiers were the first regiment outside of the United Kingdom (U.K.) to perform at the tattoo in 1952. Since then many countries have sent representatives to perform. Each evening concludes with the massed pipes and drums joining the bands and playing Auld Lang Syne. The flag is lowered and they all march off to Scotland the Brave.
Scottish Games at Pleasanton
Locally we can enjoy a taste of this wonderful pageantry at the annual Scottish Highland Gathering and Games at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. This gathering of the clans is held over the Labor Day weekend. For the past 148 years the Caledonian Club of San Francisco has presented this event—that is the largest gathering of its kind in the U.S.
This annual event draws thousands of spectators, many in kilts and traditional native costumes. Some highlights are viewing the bands, Scottish dancing, athletic events include—tossing the caber and competitive games of strength—and Scottish fiddling and piping.
At the conclusion of each day, the massed pipe and drum bands, dressed in their Scottish regalia, bring the ceremonies to a close with an incredible sound like no other. “There is nothing quite like the flurry of dancing feet, the humming bagpipes and the fierce, precise drum patterns, all performed by players in full traditional uniforms,” stated Jessica Novak in the article Pipe Dreams.
Speaking of uniforms, it is not inexpensive to outfit a performer. “Kilts can range in price from $400 to $600. Entire uniforms can cost $1,000 or more, and full military dress can cost upwards of $2500,” Novak reported. A set of bagpipes can be purchased from around $1,000 to $2500, depending on the make and quality of the instrument.
If you are planning a trip to Europe and specifically the U.K., August is a good month to go and enjoy the marvelous Edinburgh Festival. Be sure to reserve tickets well in advance. You won’t be sorry as it is definitely worth the time and effort to get there.
Not going to Europe in the near future? Then next September drive to Pleasanton and see the mass pipes and drums in their awesome pageantry. Once you’ve been you’ll want to return. My good friend, Lyle Seeband, who took up the bagpipes 50 years ago said, “I’m going to do this until I drop.”
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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