[sdiy] Synthesized Bagpipes

[Michael Bacich]

On Oct 20, 2006, at 7:34 AM, Sam Ecoff wrote:

> can only play in the key of B-flat (how weird is that?)

Not so very weird -- It makes it easy for them to play in ensemble  
with valveless field brass instruments, such as bugles, which are  
typically keyed to Bb.

The question I have is when did they start using Bb as the standard  
key?  Was it before or after the advent of Bb field bugles?  Chicken  
or egg, as it were?

Another key to getting a convincing pipes and drums effect is having  
multiple tracks of fake "bagpipes", and having them not all play  
perfectly together, especially with regard to the characteristic  
little squeaks, squawks, and ornamental trills, that are played by  
each player in the ensemble (as well as slight timing discrepancies  
and tone differences among the snare drummers in the corps).  Using  
an ambience effect that simulates a bit of distance from the  
listener, as if the sound is being heard from across a large open  
field, can also help.  Ken's demo, as impressive as it is, could  
benefit from some (or more) of that.

Mike B.