Another Strange Holiday: International Bagpipe Day
Did you know that today is International Bagpipe Day? The Bagpipe Society in Britain has deemed it so, and exhorts you to “go out and play your pipes – anywhere, anyhow to anyone!” Perhaps you’ll hear someone playing pipes today; I think it’s a sign of luck to come.
Bagpipes, the ultimate in balky reed instruments, are traditional throughout the world. My favorite are the Irish Uilleann pipes, or Irish pipes, which are the kind of pipes my friend Mike is playing in the painting above. And not surprisingly, today is also International Uilleann Bagpipe day, named by the Na Píobairí Uilleann society that celebrates all things about the iconic Irish instrument.
To avoid sounding like a punter, pronounce the word “illin,” which is Irish for elbow. They’re played by pumping a bellows with one elbow to fill the air sack, which is squeezed by the other elbow to force air through the reed to make the squawking sound pipers describe as music. Get it? Elbow pipes.
Uilleann pipes are heart of traditional Irish music. Everyone tries to imitate their sound, the way the notes spill constantly over the top of the flowing drone. This has led many flute players to, if not lose conciousness while playing, at least get very dizzy as we try to make it through an entire tune without drawing in a breath.
Follow International Bagpipe Day at the society’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/internationaldayofthebagpipe
Learn what the Uilleann pipers are up to at their website:
And listen to this fine piping by Seamus Ennis, one of our elders who set the bar for piping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF3fW4Nox9U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNz_kbUuU0
