Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals?

[EvanF]

This is in response to Cecil's reference to the movie Braveheart in the column about bagpipes being used at police funerals. I am not an expert in bagpipes, but I know that there are many different kinds, and as a musician and frequent listener of bagpipe music I noticed something strange about the bagpipe and funeral scene in the movie. The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes. Again, bagpipes come in many different shapes, sizes, playing styles, and sounds, but this part of the movie bothered me because of the inaccuracy.

[dropzone]

Originally Posted by EvanF

The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes. Again, bagpipes come in many different shapes, sizes, playing styles, and sounds, but this part of the movie bothered me because of the inaccuracy.

Welcome! Nitpicking bagpipes? You are going to fit right in.

Column in question (it's usually considered polite to include a link to the column): http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...olice-funerals

[EvanF]

Ah, thanks, I shall do so in the future

[don't ask]

I assumed they made the mourners listen to bagpipes to show the departed that there are things far worse than being dead.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

EvanF--glad you're here!

A bagpipe aficionado will feel right at home among the iconoclasts, nitpickers, wool-gatherers & other human woodpeckers here at the SDMB.

[NetTrekker]

Originally Posted by don't ask

I assumed they made the mourners listen to bagpipes to show the departed that there are things far worse than being dead.

That must make the departed feel very relieved

!?!?

[NetTrekker]

Why were so many of the cops Irish?

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Originally Posted by NetTrekker

Why were so many of the cops Irish?

Immigration demographics.

[NetTrekker]

Originally Posted by Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Immigration demographics.

Which included Italians, Germans, Puerto Ricans, Asians, etc.

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Immigration demographics.

Is that the new name for nepotism?

[Civil Guy]

A little more seriously, however... I don't know if I can describe this clearly, but here goes:

To me, a bagpipe dirge simply has a good harmony with grieving, and so is appropriate to most all funerals. Many parts of the sound are rough, others discordant - possibly only to my unsophisticated ears - and the whole is awfully complex. And that all fits well with grieving. When the bagpipes are played well, there is, nevertheless, a clear, striking melody - and that fits well with a funeral, as well.

It all works. For me, at least.

[Kenm]

Bagpipes at a Vulcan's funeral is a bit over the top.

Originally Posted by WhyNot

Is that the new name for nepotism?

There's nothing wrong with nepotism as long as it stays in the family.

[terentii]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

Is that the new name for nepotism?

Discrimination. For a long time, the only employment open to Irish immigrants was the dirty, hazardous jobs no one else wanted. Police work fell into that category; so did the US Army. The cavalry that "won the West" was one-third Irish.

[Galwegian]

Originally Posted by EvanF

The pipes being played appeared to be Scottish highland pipes (the most recognizable), yet the sound is definitely that of the Uillean pipes, also called the Irish bagpipes.

I suspect that it's because highland pipes look right, but Uilleann pipes just sound better. YMMV, IMHO and all that.

Braveheart wasn't exactly known for its historical accuracy!

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by Galwegian

I suspect that it's because highland pipes look right, but Uilleann pipes just sound better. YMMV, IMHO and all that.

Braveheart wasn't exactly known for its historical accuracy!

Exactly right. But a good pick up by the OP.

[Floater]

And in case you wonder why they use Highland pipes in St Patrick's day parades (and other Irish related things) it's because Uilleann pipes aren't particularly good to march with (according to piping friend when I asked her).

[Fear Itself]

Originally Posted by Kenm

Bagpipes at a Vulcan's funeral is a bit over the top.

Perhaps it was the green skin.

[Northern Piper]

Cecil is out by a century or so in this comment:

Originally Posted by Cecil Adams

A dying art a century ago, bagpipe playing was revived in large part by Irish immigrants to the New World who wanted to preserve their culture.

Bagpipes were indeed in a parlous state two centuries ago, as a result of the Highland clearances during the 18th century and the prohibitions on Highland customs that followed the 1745 uprising. What saved the pipes was that those prohibitions did not apply to the Highland regiments. Piping was allowed and encouraged within the Highland regiments. As a result, piping became heavily linked to military traditions and preserved in that way. By the turn of the 20th century, piping was by no means a dying art, nor was it resuscitated by Irish cops in the US.

[Northern Piper]

Originally Posted by Floater

And in case you wonder why they use Highland pipes in St Patrick's day parades (and other Irish related things) it's because Uilleann pipes aren't particularly good to march with (according to piping friend when I asked her).

Indeed. The Uilleann pipes are designed to be played sitting down, with the bellows that fills the bag strapped to the chest and arm that is used to work it. "Uilleann" means "elbow", referring to this method of inflating the bag.

[John W. Kennedy]

Originally Posted by terentii

Discrimination. For a long time, the only employment open to Irish immigrants was the dirty, hazardous jobs no one else wanted. Police work fell into that category; so did the US Army. The cavalry that "won the West" was one-third Irish.

While this is true, it is also true that the Irish in the US in the 1840s–50s were the gangbangers of the time (I’m not enough of a historian to say just how accurate the film Gangs of New York was, but the gross situation portrayed is close enough). The lower-class Irish of the time who were ashamed of it all found joining the police force the obvious route to fighting their way out of it.

[EvanF]

Good point about the uillean pipes and the playing method. They are also not as loud as highland pipes, which could have some effect on the context of playing. I have played in bands with highland pipers, they rarely need amplification. Actually, I'm not sure if there is any instrument louder than a highland bagpipes (excluding modern amplification or steam powered instruments).

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by EvanF

I have played in bands with highland pipers, they rarely need amplification. Actually, I'm not sure if there is any instrument louder than a highland bagpipes (excluding modern amplification or steam powered instruments).

Radio Raheem and calliopes come to mind, but calliopes aren't very portable.

[EvanF]

[quote=Musicat;15231474]Radio Raheem and calliopes come to mind, but calliopes aren't very portable.[/QUOTE

Yes, that's why I excluded steam powered instruments, because of the calliope

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by EvanF

Yes, that's why I excluded steam powered instruments, because of the calliope

And Radio Raheem is a "D"-powered instrument.

[Northern Piper]

Uillean pipes would be perfect for the wake, though - they're mellow enough for songs and indoor events.

[al27052]

Originally Posted by EvanF

Actually, I'm not sure if there is any instrument louder than a highland bagpipe.

Well, I imagine the concert bass drum and the larger tam-tams are probably louder, but only if beaten continuously. Their volume drops off very quickly after they are struck.

[Northern Piper]

Originally Posted by al27052

Well, I imagine the concert bass drum and the larger tam-tams are probably louder, but only if beaten continuously. Their volume drops off very quickly after they are struck.

concert bass drum? pshaw.

according to this site, the drum's average volume is 110 decibels.

according to this site, the pipes can reach 122 decibels.

[Powers]

Originally Posted by Northern Piper

according to this site, the drum's average volume is 110 decibels.

according to this site, the pipes can reach 122 decibels.

Looks like you're comparing average to extreme. Hardly fair.


Powers &8^]

[John W. Kennedy]

Yes, but drums are an intermittent sound, while pipes are continuous (literally so, for it is impossible to tongue or otherwise phrase them).

[al27052]

Originally Posted by John W. Kennedy

Yes, but drums are an intermittent sound, while pipes are continuous (literally so, for it is impossible to tongue or otherwise phrase them).

You've got to constantly beat the fuck out of the drum to keep it at a high volume, but yes, it can outpower the pipes.

[Princhester]

Were the last three words of the thread title really required?

[John W. Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Princhester

Were the last three words of the thread title really required?

“As regards one instrument (the bagpipes) I am still in [a primitive] condition. I can’t tell one piece from another, nor a good piper from a bad. It is all just ‘pipes’ , all equally intoxicating, heartrending, orgiastic.” — C. S. Lewis

[Irishman]

Why do they play bagpipes at police funerals?

You are supposed to cry at funerals, so they use bagpipes to ensure it.