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Lesson 13 When more than one piper is playing it is possible to add additional interest to the music by introducing both harmonies and a counter-melody. Let's tackle the harmonies first. We've already learned The Blue Bells of Scotland. The music below represents harmonies. In a band, one or more pipers (perhaps about 20%) might play harmonies. It would be unusual to play harmonies from the first note to the last note however. Generally harmonies are introduced at the repeat of a part. Since we don't repeat parts in a 4/4 they generally are played through bars 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the first part, and through the same bars in the second part of the tune. |
| It is very acceptable to depart from the standard formula of where to play harmonies. Basically, harmonies "fit" into a tune where it is musically logical to put them! Too much harmony can ruin a tune. Harmonies over very short notes don't come through well and sound more like mistakes than musical enhancements. |
| Another way to enhance music is to introduce a counter-melody. One or more pipers may play the counter-melody however much depends on the tune. Again, it would probably not be appropriate to play a counter-melody all the way through a tune. One might introduce a counter-melody at the same time as harmonies, or not. The music below represents a counter-melody for The Blue Bells of Scotland. |
| Let's say we are a band of ten pipers. We all play the first four bars of Blue Bells as it is originally written. Two pipers play harmonies and two pipers play the counter-melody for bars 5, 6, 7, and 8. For the second part, we all play the first four bars as written. Harmonies and the counter-melody are played for bars 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the second part. This might be a very effective arrangement as the original melody captures the audience and then the harmonies and counter-melody pulls them closer with interest. I like it! |
| Let's do almost the same with a great old favorite. We're no awa tae bide awa celebrates a pint and fond farewell. The words go something like this. |
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Chorus: For we're no' awa' tae bide awa', For we're no' awa tae le'e ye, For we're no' awa' tae bide awa', We'll aye come back an' see ye. As I gaed doon by Wilsontoon I met auld Johnnie Scobbie, Says I to him will ye hae a hauf, Says he, "Man! That's my hobby." Chorus: So we had a hauf an' anither hauf, And then we had anither, When he got fou' he shouted "Hoo! It's Carnwath Mill for ever." Chorus: We wandered doon the street again We cleekit unco cheery, When John got hame his wife cried shame, I see you're enjoyin' your hobby. Chorus: Of a' the friens that ere I kenned, There's nane like Johnnie Scobbie, His hert is leal, he's true as steel, An' a hauf is aye his hobby. Chorus: So whenever friendly friens may meet, Wherever Scots foregather, We'll raise our gless, we'll shout Hurroo, It's Carnwath Mill for ever. Chorus: |
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Meaning of unusual words: tae bide awa'=to stay away aye=always gaed=went hauf=a measure of alcohol fou'=drunk cleekit=walk arm in arm unco=extremely kenned=knew leal=loyal |
| We're no awa tae bide awa |
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