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We are just starting a pipe and drum band here in the Raleigh area. It is called the Wake and District Pipe and Drum Band. Now last week was our first meeting and tonight our first practice, so I don't believe we will be making our debut for quite some time. But I was wondering how many people here on the forums are apart of a pipe and drum band? If so which ones? Do you all have a website, for the last couple of weeks I have been all about reading up on different bands.
KTF-EGH
Not in a pipe band but I am a piper, though I'm off it for a while due to a hernia. If you haven't already, check out THE bagpipe forum here .Quote:
Originally Posted by GFDLT1
sorry for the thread hijack GFDLT1Quote:
Originally Posted by Firetacoma1
But any advice on someone wanting to get started/learn to play?
I'm a piper with the Monmouth County NJ, Police Pipes and Drums. There are quite a few firefighters in the band as there is no Firefighter band in Monmouth County.
There are several ways to go about it. One would be to find a pipe band in your area and see if you can attend some of their practices. Most bands also offer lessons, sometimes for free. You would start on a practice chanter and move on to pipes once to develop basic skills (6 mos to a year). Another option would be to find a private tutor in your area and take 1 on 1 lessons. This is how I'm learning. I've been taking lessons for about a year and a half. My best advice is take it seriously. It's NOT an easy instrument to learn and it takes a lot of patience. Progress comes slowly but in the end it will all be worth it. There is no finer instrument IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2230
been piping since 95
try this site, http://www.hfdpipesndrums.com/index.htm band is comprised of firefighters from 7 departments.
Good luck to your group
P.S. it only takes 9 notes and 2 parades and your there :)
I used to play the bagpipes quite a bit. I played in Houston in the St. Thomas Pipe Band. I don't want to seem self promoting but listen to our cd "dedication." I promise it wont disappoint.
http://www.piperanddrummer.com/Revie...?articleID=898
I play snare drum in a pipe band. It's a great time. We played a few songs in a bar during the month long celebration of St Patricks Day (parade every weekend) and people were cheering "More Snare Drum!!" Made me think of that SNL skit with Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken :D
Do a search on www.youtube.com using the keywords pipe band or bagpipes and you will see a ton of footage. Enjoy the band!
I've got a fever and the only perscription is more snare drum :DQuote:
Originally Posted by NYSmokey
Bingo :D :D
I will have to check out all of those websites, thank you. Last night was our first practice, they are also running one tonight. Because we all work shift work, we have 2 practice nights a week so that you can make one of them. Our band is comprised of Cops, Firefighters and some Paramedics. From what I have seen so far our band looks very promising. We are lucky enough to have quite a few people that already knew how to play. I am actually not playing the pipes (although my brother inlaw is), I am going to learn how to be/play a flourishing tenor drummer. I imagine there is probably a little rivilary between pipers and drummer, just like between truckies and guys on the engines. Our pipe major used to play in the Chicago Police Pipe and Drum band as well as the Stock Yard P and D.
We hope to play our first time in the public a year from this July 4th. I have actually met a couple of your members, Brian and Ron from Gary FD. I met them a few years back at the FOOLS convention in Charlotte.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief2701
http://www.stlhighlandguard.com/
Not in it but know a few who are, they formed a few years ago I believe. I tip the lid to 'em, they sounded pretty good to me. Wat up Z man!
Found their site here.....
http://www.firefightinglinks.com/pipe.html
The drummers refer to the pipers as the dark side and vice versa :DQuote:
Originally Posted by GFDLT1
One of my cousins plays bagpipes and I said in an email DRUMMERS RULE. The response I got back "We note you're playing the snare drum in a bagpipe band. Joseph isn't playing the bagpipes in a snare drum band. Pipers rule!"
OUCH :D
Been in my towns pipe band for about a year now...just got my pipes 3 months ago and love every minute of them!! Though I havent been in any parades yet cause it is quite an expensive hobby...theres really no firefighter pipe bands in my area except the county pipe and drum band made up of police and CAREER firefighters so im not allowed to join because I am only a volunteer..which is a stupid rule I think but ohwell....
http://www.phillypoliceandfirepipeband.com
Been in and out of the band for a few years. Havent dedicated myself as I should. Hope to return soon.
You ask, you get...
Orange County Fire (CA) Pipes and Drums
There is little doubt that the above quote by Firefighter2230 is from a Saturday Night Live skit involving the cast and Christopher Walken. In the skit they spoof on Blue Oyster Cult, but instead of more snare drum the cure is more cow bell.Quote:
I've got a fever and the only perscription is more snare drum
Well, my little story connects that skit with the bag pipes.
The band I'm in was honored by being asked to play Scott Muni's funeral a couple of years ago at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. It you grew up in the NYC metro area and liked classic rock music you knew who Scott Muni was.
While we were tuning up at the radio station a few blocks away we were introduced to Eric Bloom (Singer Guitar Player for BOC) who was a close friend of Mr. Muni. After the standard small talk a member of our band stated to Mr. Bloom that he didn't feel well. When Mr. Bloom asked what was the matter the member of our band stated that he had a fever. I'm sure you can guess how the rest of the story goes but needless to say we all had a good laugh at Mr. Blooms expanse. He was a good sport and a very nice man. He told us the story of how he was home watching SNL when that skit originally aired and he had no idea it was coming.
Anyway that's my little story that I thought I would share.
this January '07I was off with a foot surgury, and decided to build a list of FIRE service Pipe bands.... I began Piping in 1990 was an officer a sw ell as pipe sergeant in My states 1st pipe band during a time when I was one of maybe 400 fire service pipers there were not many groups out there and manythat were were combination police and fire bands ..anyway naturally the internet getting imfo out to people has grown The whole piping world, many things have affected fire service Piping,,, the biggest no doubt 9/11 was a driving force ... My list is roughly 90 fire bands nationally and 20 combination ( again like philly police and fire) 2 EMS bands IN major cities additionally Canada has also grown from StJohn NB FD P&D to working towards 6 bands nationally , at least 2 bands in Ireland, ( Cork FB and Dublin FB) as well as several more in the UK England and Scotland) and at least 3/4 have websites , the newist band on the list was posted last night right after the meeting held to form it ....I've another Band post interest request post in the off duty forum here, if interested email me for the link.. the forum isnt as busy as bob dunsires or this one, but 96 members so far and 800+ posts lots of usefull links .... Mail me if your interested
this January '07I was off with a foot surgury, and decided to build a list of FIRE service Pipe bands.... I began Piping in 1990 was an officer a sw ell as pipe sergeant in My states 1st pipe band during a time when I was one of maybe 400 fire service pipers there were not many groups out there and manythat were were combination police and fire bands ..anyway naturally the internet getting imfo out to people has grown The whole piping world, many things have affected fire service Piping,,, the biggest no doubt 9/11 was a driving force ... My list is roughly 90 fire bands nationally and 20 combination ( again like philly police and fire) 2 EMS bands IN major cities additionally Canada has also grown from StJohn NB FD P&D to working towards 6 bands nationally , at least 2 bands in Ireland, ( Cork FB and Dublin FB) as well as several more in the UK England and Scotland) and at least 3/4 have websites , the newist band on the list was posted last night right after the meeting held to form it ....I've another Band post interest request post in the off duty forum here, if interested email me for the link.. the forum isnt as busy as bob dunsires or this one, but 96 members so far and 800+ posts lots of usefull links .... Mail me if your interested