Sack of Woe "Bagpipes"

The bagpipes is a strange "musical instrument."   At least it seems strange to people that aren't of Scottish ancestry.

Here is an instrument that has been derided for years for it's almost "banshee" like sound quality.  Yet, this near piercing (annoying to some) sound brings with it a feeling of pride and even invokes a historical sense of courage and strength.

Legend has it the Scot's used these instruments to intimidate their opponents on the battlefield. I can "just about" believe that. Although my family background is not from that part of the world, I've grown to love and respect the sound of that mysterious  "musical instrument."

 Jimmy Maxwell lead trumpet player in New York (sound track for the movie "The Godfather") was asked to play not only the trumpet on the Johnny Carson show but also to solo on the bagpipes. Jimmy couldn't pass up this opportunity to showcase his ability and express his love for the instrument. He always participated in parades on the pipes in New York City and loved these "musical" departures from his regular studio responsibilities.

The Pipes only have a limited range (nine notes) and possess three drone notes (one bass and two tenor drones) Grace notes were eventually incorporated into the playing technique to soften the sound (if that's possible).

The Bagpipes have an enormous emotional presence. It's a wailing sound like nothing else. Is it a beautiful sound? Beauty is in the "ears" of the beholder or someone who's hearing aid batteries have run down.

It's been the butt of jokes, even by the Scots themselves. They don't seem to be offended by these humorous jibes and have even followed suit with their own loveable digs at this rather precocious "sheep-skinned" creature.

It was a Scot who came up with this endearing selection. "Why do pipers always march?"  (Answer) "To get away from the noise".

One piper went on his holidays to England.  He wrote back that he found the English very unfriendly.  He said that for the past three days, they were yelling and banging on the walls of his hotel room at 3:00 am.  They were making so much noise he could hardly hear himself practicing. 

Two Scotsmen were really tanked (drunk) one night and were walking home through the countryside. They decided to sleep on the side of the road, as they were just too tired to go any further.  At sunrise, a farmer with two squawking and flapping roosters under his arms just happened to come upon these two sleepy travellers.

As the sound of the chickens woke them up, one said to the other with great reverence, "Ah Jocko. It gladdens the heart to wake up to the sweet sounds of the bagpipes". 

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