Thankyou for opening up such a useful discussion Francis.
I must admit that the term "chanter" has always concerned me - what are
we if not individuals with our own individual styles...?
Boreishly
Simon
On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM, Francis Wood
<[1]oatenp...@googlemail.com> wrote:
In these occasionally acrimonious times, I do feel there might be
some value in searching critically for the sources of negative
influence. As a start, we might do well to examine the language of
piping terms. That lexicon is in sore need of some enlightened
revision. The following points will, I hope, provide persuasive
examples.
To begin with the chanter. 'Bore' has pejorative connotations. I
would not wish to be described in such terms. 'Narrow bore' provides
no enhancement. 'Closed' takes us further down the path of
negativity. And 'closed fingering' is distinctly creepy.
Let us move to 'drones'. A joyless word suggesting tedium and
monotony. In the apian world, the drones produce no honey. Human
bores are said to 'drone on'. The word itself draws negativity into
our playing experience in a way that 'harmony pipes' (to give an
example) would not.
As for 'stocks', that is clearly unfortunate. In historical times,
people were locked up in 'stocks' as a punishment which also seemed
to require the throwing of rotten eggs. The financial usage attracts
further dismay. Are there examples of this word being used in any
pleasant context? I think not.
I am not at all sure that 'blowpipe' is a very proper word. I will
leave that for others to discuss and move on rapidly to the question
of 'bellows'. That word instantly invokes associations with anger,
pain and frustration. Sentiments that are entirely foreign to the
experience of learning and playing the pipes.
Finally, I can suggest nothing at all in defence of the usage of
'bag' which occupies a prime position in the language of insult.
Our choice of vocabulary is crucial in any collaborative experience.
In the interests of harmonious piping, some critical thinking about
the language we use may be helpful. Any scrutiny of the terms above
would surely suggest that we need alternatives entirely devoid of
distressing connotations.
I invite your comments.
Francis Wood
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References
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