We had a great "Junuary" session yesterday here in the Pacific Northwest. We had two sessions going at one point with G pipes and concertina in one room, and F sets in the other. Although only one or two of the group (not me) can play popping fast runs like Chris, Adrian and Alice, we had fun and unselfconsciously played with the best technique we can muster, which is our norm. One of the best pipers among us suggested that we, in light of recent discussion here, perhaps, play in a more "proper" style than some of the folks in the Old Country. It would never occur to us to distinguish our way of playing by calling it "proper." It is just what it is, and it is as "good" as it is because we have had excellent teachers, namely Ian Lawther. I don't fully understand Adrian's argument, and reacted to the vitriol more than to the substance (perhaps over-reacted). At any rate, I have a new sense of self-worth as a piper in the Northumbrian tradition(s) because of this insight that we here are unselfconsciously participating in the tradition(s). If you were born into a Northumbrian musical tradition you are very fortunate, yet there is a lot of satisfaction in realizing after decades of wandering in the wilderness that we here are not pretenders but members.
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