According to Nicholas Hudson, who holds a performance degree
in bagpiping from Carnegie Mellon, there seems to be a worldwide
surge in interest in the instrument. Hudson is an instructor with the
MacDonald Pipe Band, but also gives private lessons both in person
and via Skype. His students contact him for online lessons from as far
away as India and Qatar.
Hudson began playing at the age of 13 because he was fascinated
with the sound of the instrument. Though he has a Scots-Irish
background, his love for the music itself came first, with the
appreciation for the cultural aspects arriving later.
“I find that to be the case with many of my students,” says Hudson.
“The younger students just like the sound of the bagpipes and want
to learn, while older students tend to begin studying because they are
interested in the history and ancestral connections. But eventually
both groups learn to appreciate both the music and the background,
and sort of meet in the middle.”
Though Hudson prefers more traditional music, he has ventured
over into other genres, such as piobaireachd (Anglicized spelling:
pibroch). This is a special type of piping that is considered classical
as opposed to jigs, marches and other popular forms. Hudson says
that bluegrass music lends itself well to piping and he has even heard
jazz done well on bagpipes, though not a mainstream genre for the
instrument.
While the difficulty of playing a bagpipe is legendary, most
instructors advise that usually after three years of studying, students
can play most music, although Hudson says it may not take as long for
students who are truly motivated and dedicate more time to practice.
One encouraging fact is that the instrument has just nine notes. The
bagpipes that everyone associates with Scotland are actually properly
called the Great Highland Bagpipe.
➤ For more information on the MacDonald Pipe Band, visit
macdonaldpipeband.net. They are also on Facebook.
George Balderose, who is a well-known name in Pittsburgh
associated with piping, estimates that the purchase of this instrument
will set you back about $1,000. Fortunately, students don’t learn on
the actual bagpipe. They begin playing with what’s called a practice
chanter. This instrument resembles an oboe — and parents should
take note that it is much quieter than the bagpipe. According to
Balderose, a good practice chanter can be purchased for around $100,
which is a good way to find out if you enjoy playing.
Balderose, who also offers private instruction and has played for
concerts, weddings, funerals and community events for over 35 years,
says that one of the toughest parts of learning to play is controlling the
airflow of the pipe, once a student graduates to the bagpipe.
Along with Scottish native James McIntosh, Balderose founded the
Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming in 1978 in Pittsburgh. It’s
the oldest such nonprofit school in the U.S., and each year the school
has become bigger and more popular, providing the opportunity for
students to work with world‑class musicians. The summer sessions
take place at various locations around the country and locally at
Shadyside Academy. The class size is small with around five students,
offering an intense learning experience for those who want to progress
as musicians.
Another opportunity for pipers to learn is an Open Mic Night held
exclusively for pipers at Café Sam in Shadyside. Pipers have been
coming from as far away as Toronto and Washington, D.C., for an
opportunity to connect and play with other pipers.
“The rich tradition and grassroots support of the pipes in Pittsburgh
has convinced me that the bagpipe and its music should be an
important piece of the identity of this region,” says Balderose. So the
next time you hear a piper playing his tune, instead of Scotland, you
may think of Pittsburgh. ■
➤ For more information on the Balmoral School
of Piping and Drumming visit bagpiping.org.
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