Advice required for Highland Band (3 Viewers)

[trooper]

You keep coming up with them, trooper. One of my daughters is naturally left handed - so I s'pose there had to be a piper or two who gave the bag a squeeze under the other arm. Now this is the tricky question.......

Who makes one in kit form??

Music in Miniature had one in their range, but that is now owned by Fleurbaix in Australia and other subscribers to this forum have apparently had endless problems trying to get anything from them, so your best bet is to convert one or get someone to do it for you. Will have another rummage and see if I can find more oddities for you.

 

[nshighlander]

My wife is left handed,she plays the pipes on the left side.Now when we were teaching pipes one of the pipeing instructores ended up teaching one of the kids left handed.I really don`t know how?????The kid was right handed.Way to much trouble to try and change the poor kid the other way.I ended up tying in the the pipe bag for a left handed piper.It all has to do with the hands on the chanter.Right hand on top or the left hand on top.This kid turned out to be one of the best pipers in the pipe band for here age.I still have more picture to post when I get the chance.
Happy New Year
Cheers
Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Good to know that someone has had a go at making a left-hooker trooper. I have had enough trouble with getting stuff from Germany - never mind trying to get our upside down chums to send me something! After the last test-match - I somehow feel we might also get a frosty response! I will also have enough on my plate with my next Highland Band project - without any further complications - BUT - you never know - I would like to have a go at one someday.

Now Dave, I'm glad that you didn't try to force a natural left-hander into doing something that didn't feel right. The Commandant and I NEVER tried to force our daughter into right-handedness (if that's the word). She still writes, paints, sews etcetera left-handed, and is indeed very artistic - and produces wonderful. original patch-work quilts - as that's her hobby.

How is your Royal Marine Band coming along? I have managed to put one of my RM bands in one of my albums. I'm never certain where they go EXACTLY yet, as I'm still clicking the wrong buttons - but will eventually get the hang of it all. I only wish that I had found out about this forum a long time ago - it would have helped me get started correctly then. Same with photography. I never was one for using a camera - but NOW - the Commandant is always having a pop at me for using up her battery!!

I WILL get the hang of it however - with a little (or think that should be a Lottle) help from my friends.

Have a good year all - johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

An oddity for you Johnny, a left handed piper in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Must have caused problems when counter marching.

Yes indeed - just had another good look at him. Probably OK whilst marching in file like that - but how about if they were five abreast? Just where would you put him? On one end I s'pose. Reminds me a bit of a lad we once had - who was one of those people who couldn't swing his arms correctly when marching. We tried everything - but always looked like a camel when he marched - with his arms out of synch! We used to hide him - whenever we had a big parade! I wonder if they do the same with this laddie? johnnybach

 

[nshighlander]

Hi Johnny

I don`t think an Regiment would hide any pipers.Alot of the Regiments now only have 12 pipers with the Pipe Majors.No big pipe bands in the British Army now.May be the RSDG would have more pipers as they are one of the best pipe bands in the British Army.Counter marchs are not a big deal the pipe would turn the drones away from the on coming pipers.If you have expensive pipes you don`t want the drones hitting.My daughter has a set of pipes around $4500.00 all ivory mounts on her pipe drones.I think they date early 1940s.My wife has pipes around $2000.00 all nickel mounted drones.They date late 1980s.Pipes are expensive if you want a nice sounding set.
Cheers
Dave

 

[trooper]

Yes indeed - just had another good look at him. Probably OK whilst marching in file like that - but how about if they were five abreast? Just where would you put him? On one end I s'pose. Reminds me a bit of a lad we once had - who was one of those people who couldn't swing his arms correctly when marching. We tried everything - but always looked like a camel when he marched - with his arms out of synch! We used to hide him - whenever we had a big parade! I wonder if they do the same with this laddie? johnnybach

The parade photos I have are not worth posting for his position, you can make him out but the detail is so small I doubt it would reproduce. He is positioned centrally in the rear rank just in front of the bass drum. On the subject of Royal Marine bands I would recommend the book "The Royal Marines Band Service" by John Ambler published by the Royal Marines Historical Society ISBN:0 953 6163 2 0 available from the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO49PX This gives the complete history of RM bands and has profuse illustrations, the ultimate source.

 

[johnnybach]

Nice to hear from a professional about pipe bands. I had no idea what a set of pipes cost. I can remember well listening to a Scots piper in the barracks in Scarborough. He used to practice by playing as he marched around the football pitch in the early evening. We used to open the barrack windows to listen to his music drifting on the evening air. you could hear a pin drop as everyone stopped to listen. A lovely memory that.

I will see if I can find that book trooper. I have a modern day band - and also one from c.1830 - though I quite fancy a RMLI one too. I know Britains did one - but my chum at Dorset Soldiers does one that I can paint - so that's on my wish list for some time in the future.

Ooops Rugby is on again - I'm off. j

 

[johnnybach]

This is one of my Royal Marine Bands. I made this one up from castings from Asset - about 5 years ago. I was quite pleased with this one - as it was the first time I modified one of the band. I gave one of the drummers a right arm playing the bugle. Asset now do such a figure - but didn't do it then. johnnybach

PS Munster beat Ulster 35-10

 

[johnnybach]

I have sent finalised details of my Highland group today. this is it - below.

Highland Regiment - Kilted - 1871 Dress

Colour Party

Two Ensigns with Queens and Regimental Colours
Three Colour Sergeants - muskets at slope (or shoulder - if N/A),bayonets fixed
One Warrant Officer - pace stick

Drum & Pipe Band

Drum Major with mace
Eight Pipers - in glengarries
Six Side drummers - standard side drums
three side drummers with half side drums (cheese drums)
One Bass Drummer (Slim version of bass drum)

Military Band - 30 instrumentalists, as below;

3 Trombones: 2 Cornets
2 French Horns: 2 Tenor Horns
2 Clarinets: 2 Fifes: 2 Saxophones
2 Bassons: 2 Euphoniums: Bell Lyre
2 bombardons: 2 Tubas: Ophicleid
2 Cymbals: 2 Side-drums(slim versions): Base Drummer

Regimental Escort

Colonel - on horseback in trews - sword at carry
2 Kilted Officers marching, drawn swords
9 Highlanders, muskets at slope, (shoulder if N/A)
One Sergeant, musket at shoulder

I have specified dress for each section above.

johnnybach