Let me shed some light. The notes on the pipes are limited, but the amount of possiblities (as with all music) is endless. The mechanics of learning the bagpipes are in steps: the finger movement and control of the pipes airflow. Anyone who has played a brass/woodwind instrument (I've been playing the Alto sax for 10 years about) can appreciate the dexterity and memorization required to play even a recorder. Lets associate this with micro perhaps, albeit it might encompass the strategy and tactics too found in SC. The speed and precision at which you play has no limit. Sound familiar? Skill ceiling mother ******. Let me give you an example of one of the lesser known but amazingly difficult song > hellbound train.
When watching this, pay close attention to the fingers as the song progressively gets more complex. Notice how the song doesnt sound quite right and there are mistakes aplenty, but you get the gist that these fellas aren't to shabby. Also, the practice chanter they use are not meant to sound pretty. As their name implies, they are meant for practice for the real thing.
Now lets go to progamer status of our piping pals.
Mute the first video, and watch the fingers while listening to this one. Please refrain from soiling your pants. Easily 500 apm no question, and these guys dont have their build orders right in front of them. Reminds me of something.....
Always a specific purpose to their movements.
Lets move on! Time to learn how to macro with your bagpipes. That would best be related to the airflow required. Bagpipes are known for being loud. How else would the sobering sound get its reputation of ringing through scotland, forcing the lone tear to make its way down the warriors cheek.
I don't play bagpipes, but I tried, oh lord, I tried. The amount of breath required to set it in motion is phenomenal. You blow the air in, and push out through the reed and form the sound through the chanter part to form our melodies. The reed alone requires you to force a ridiculous amount of air to produce the wail. BUT THATS NOT ALL. The drones (teehee) need to perform the part of the chilling chords that create the piping environment. Besides the obvious drone pun, we can totally relate this constant supply of sound to the economy maniacs in our very own SC. The game and the pipes are completely controlled by these elements and guide it on the path the user wants to use.
Here. Get yourself acquainted with our very loud friends.
Now that, coupled with the reed and chanter, create the mystical noise.
Ok I know, you skeptical ****** think it sounds awful or something, and I admit, it is a very aquired taste. Doesn't that sort of make this SC parent sort of similar? There are some obvious flaws in my lttle comparison, but I hope you catch my drift here. I can't say I love Pipes as much as SC, but this instrument has provoked emotions only my grandad can explain.
There can be more to explain and compare so give me your thoughts.
BONUS: Here is me cousin absolutely beasting on the pipes.
On December 14 2009 17:18 Sigi wrote: I found this really interesting, but is there a competitive part of bagpipes like there is in SC?
Hoho! Glad you asked! There are events and tournements held EVERYWHERE. Celtic Fest are where it is at, and can muster over a thousand pipers competing in front of judges in pursuit of perfection.
They travel hours to meet in locations and its a great experience if you develop i liking for the pipes and the sound in general. I must say im spoiled living in NYC with St. Patty's parade and fests happening all over the place.
If you haven't practiced for hours on end everyday, you'll never aspire to be the piper that win these sorts of things. Does Bagpipe have competition? HAHAHA I think bagpipes should be asking starcraft if it has any competition. (dont to sound obnoxious just proving a point.)
On December 14 2009 17:23 prOxi.swAMi wrote: Can't this argument be made for most instruments?
I've tried my hand at "most instruments" Saying this to me is like saying "Can't the same be said for most video games?" Although obviously there are the instruments that require the same levels such as the violin and what not. Bagpipes just struck me as the perfect candidate for an SC comparison.
On December 14 2009 17:23 prOxi.swAMi wrote: Can't this argument be made for most instruments?
I've tried my hand at "most instruments" Saying this to me is like saying "Can't the same be said for most video games?" Although obviously there are the instruments that require the same levels such as the violin and what not. Bagpipes just struck me as the perfect candidate for an SC comparison.
lol cool blog, i quite like the bagpipes sound, been to edinburgh a few times
lol what instruments are too 'crap' to be able to be comparable to the bagpipes (and violins as you said)?
On December 14 2009 17:23 prOxi.swAMi wrote: Can't this argument be made for most instruments?
I've tried my hand at "most instruments" Saying this to me is like saying "Can't the same be said for most video games?" Although obviously there are the instruments that require the same levels such as the violin and what not. Bagpipes just struck me as the perfect candidate for an SC comparison.
lol cool blog, i quite like the bagpipes sound, been to edinburgh a few times
lol what instruments are too 'crap' to be able to be comparable to the bagpipes (and violins as you said)?
THE TRIANGLE heh no some are just strikingly easy to pickup and just start playing within a week at a decent level. I know you want me to say guitar or piano so you can say "HA IDIOT THOSE CAN GET INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED" but the truth is bad player can pass off to the great majority as decent. Dont get me wrong, piano and guitar musicians are probably some of the most talented. But I can assure you every person you hear play the bagpipes were you can distinguish a song out of has spent days on end grueling over getting the notes out. Everyone and their mom can play chords on these instruments.
FYI: I have taught myself to play both the guitar and the piano, and I dont consider myself good at them on any level.
Piano is much harder to pick up and learn then the guitar is. Piano relates more to hands and "apm" then the bagpipes would, too. None the less is still a cool blog.
Last time I went to the Philly folk festival I saw this one rock band from Canada that had this absolutely sick bag pipe player who played with them. I prejudged it as a slow and limited instrument, but this guy was really rocking out on it. Very cool blog.
On December 15 2009 02:15 tonight wrote: Piano is much harder to pick up and learn then the guitar is. Piano relates more to hands and "apm" then the bagpipes would, too. None the less is still a cool blog.
I must respectfully disagree here. As you may notice, the bagpipe neer stops making noise, so it can never really have space, but some clever guy decided "grace notes would accomplish the same thing. Grace notes are played to create space and rhythm in the song. Instead, we simply play a higher or lower note than the note held, and it gives it depth.
Listen closely!
How otherwise could they play that one part then the method above?
NOW go back to hellbound train song and listen closely for the millions of grace notes played in it. Once you hear it, you'd have to admit this is at least the equivalent of bach going nuts on the organ.
EPT
