Bagpipes For All Occasions
www.bagpipes4hire.com
Paul S. Palmer, Bagpiper
312-749-3940
Suggested bagpipe tunes. January, 2008
- Amazing Grace: Hymn, most popular tune
regardless of ethnic background.
- O' For A Closer Walk With God: Hymn, Good
for church or cemetery.
- Scotland The Brave: Almost the Scottish
National Anthem, upbeat march.
- Wings: Another upbeat Scottish march. (not
Wind Beneath My Wings)
- The Battle Is Over: Scottish retreat and
funeral tune, good as Military Salute.
- Londonderry Aire or
Danny Boy: Very recognizable.
- Cliffs Of Doneen: Irish, slow aire, good for
church and cemetery.
- Minstrel Boy: Irish, can be upbeat or slow,
church and cemetery.
- Dawning Of The Day: Traditional folk tune,
goes well with Minstrel Boy.
- Wear'n Of The Green: Irish, Bright, upbeat
tune.
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: Irish Lighter
Tune.
- Notre Dame Victory March: Popular with those
from County Cook.
The funeral bagpipe can be played in any combination of the following.
- The Church, piping into and/or out of Church or as part of the service.
- The Cemetery, processing to the chapel or graveside and after the
ceremony as a salute.
- The Funeral Home, leading the deceased out or at the Wake.
- Memorial Service, anywhere the memorial service is conducted.
Special Note:
Most bagpipe tunes are written just for the bagpipe, some songs can be adapted
if they fit in the
narrow range of 9 notes. All bagpipe music is memorized and unlike other
instruments, a tune
can't be taken from standard sheet music. This is why many songs can't be played
on the bagpipe.
Winter Rules: Any kind of temperature change can effect the bagpipe. Cold and
wind changes the
bagpipe very quickly (it goes out of tune). Not only does it sound like you are
choking a cat but
you can crack the instrument when it gets below freezing. Keeping the instrument
at an even
temperature any time of the year is a challenge but more so in the winter.
Sorry, graveside services
are usually out when the temperature gets near freezing, not to mention, my
knees get cold!
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