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Topic: Convert Pedal Steel To Bagpipes |
Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 12:50 pm |
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I know my entitlement sounds "far out" but
it is possible!
With an A pedal drone and a handful of pull-offs
and hammer-ons one can get a good simulation of the
Highland Bagpipe on the Pedal Steel.I played bagpipes for 8 years as an extra musical
activity and worked on this for some time. I played
funerals and weddings with my bagpipes during the
week while playing country steel on weekends. 
After quitting the pipes I learned how to simulate on
my Steel.
Hope you like..Listen here..
http://picosong.com/CFj
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Ray Harrison
From:
Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 1:14 pm
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Roy, I've worked with a couple of steel players that did that without trying.
I was not ready for bagpipes on "Another Bridge to Burn:.
_________________
Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 1:21 pm
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| That was interesting. Thanks for posting. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 2:21 pm
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Great, a steel player can simulate the only instrument more people hate, and fewer people love (I'm one of them), than "whiny pedal steel!"   
(Outside of the Forum, many people seem to like the b**jo--go figure!) |
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Jack Harper
From:
Mississippi, USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 5:07 pm
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in the spring of 1975, this guy talked my bar band into doing a demo session on a song he had written and one that i had written and my buddie billy ray had just gotten a new sho-bud maverick and we opted for him to learn as he went and added the steel parts live on the session.we had tuned to each other after an all night roaring party so we would be together and in fine shape for the 9am saturday session. our first ever studio experience.
when we added piano and strings(synth) as an after-thought, we were bad out of standard, but the old thumb roller on the keys saved the day. sorta...
the guy sent the finished tape to jerry kennedy, his ex-something-or-other and a conference call(the old speaker fone cradle)was set for a certain time and night and we were gathered around waiting for the contracts.
jerry must have gotten over the laughing spell and was trying to be real nice to us kids of inexperience, and then he sez', ..."leon, ...that is a hell-of-a idea about the bagpipes, i wouldn't have thought of that in a country ballad, but it works nicely"
my friend immediatly put the maverick in the case and never played it again!
a few years later glen campbell comes out with bagpipes and has a hit! cutting edge!
country......... |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 6:43 pm
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Absolutely, not for everybody but for those interested a few notes.
Engage lever raising "E's" and leave it there.
Then you require the A pedal and it's use is
disgressionary. Start with it down raising
the B's to C#.
The key of the music will be in C#. That's why this
is so elusive...who would ever want to play a song
in C#????
Push release A pedal while concentrating on making up a little melody on strings 3,4,5,6.
Slip in the HO and PO's to emulate the sound
of the Grace Notes that the bagpipes are noted
for.
It's a fun thing not to be taken too seriously.
Especially do not bring it to the bandstand.
Everyone I have played it for were amazed
at how the sound could come from a steel guitar
with no gimmicks or other instrument{s} to help out.
For the brave hearted only.
Roy
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Leslie Ehrlich
From:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 3 Dec 2010 9:29 pm
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Bagpipes...ugh! 
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro III + Marshall JMP 2204 half stack = good grind! |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 2:27 am
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Roy,
Thanks for posting,
The bagpipes are a much maligned instrument,they can be very haunting when played a certain way.
Your "Steel Pipes" really sounded good and certainly does show what this instrument can do in the right hands.
Best regards
Billy |
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Steve Hitsman
From:
Waterloo, IL
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 4:39 am
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| When my old band covered Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road", I did the bagpipe intro on my steel. |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 6:09 am
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Billy M. Whereas you are from Scotland I take your
comments most seriously. Thank you!
As I said above I played the pipes for 8 years
and visited the Highland Games in Antigonish
many times here in Nova Scotia..that's what got me
onto them..the sound haunted me. A sound that fired
our troops and rallied them into battle.
It is hard to beleive that the simulation comes
from a steel guitar without any modification
or gimmick device.
Here is another I have recorded called
Cock O' The North
Listen here http://picosong.com/Cq9
Hoot Mon!
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 6:30 am
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Well done Roy. The Pipes are like a steel, if it's not properly tuned they sound like a gunny sack full of tom cats.
I doubt most if not all of the negitive responders every heard someone like John Burgess or Capt John MacLellan or any of the other greats play.
Geo
SUAS U' PHIOB |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 7:07 am
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Hi George!! Nice to hear from you!!
A pic from the past with my pipes.
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 7:57 am
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This opens up a whole new world. I'll be expecting calls from virtually every funeral parlor in town …..  |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 8:06 am
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Would the steel guitar then need a modesty panel? 
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Lawyers are done: Emmons SD-10, 3 Dekleys including a D10, NV400, and lots of effects units to cover my clams... |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 8:08 am
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Barry,
Seriously, I was getting FAR more calls to
play pipes at Funerals and Weddings than steel gigs.
The major reason I put them down. 
That's what drove me to simulate on Steel Guitar.
There are only 8 notes on the Pipe Chanter.
Actually 9 when you count the high octave A.
So I can play all the bag pipe music I want on steel
with a little practice of course.
Seldom do I go there now.
Thanks.
Roy
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 9:20 am
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Well done Roy,
That tune(Cock O' The North) brings back memories.
As children We put our own words to it and to this day it is still still know it as "Aunty Mary"
Aunty Mary had a canary
Up the leg of Her drawers
It would'nt come down for half a crown
So she gave it to Santa Claus.
Thanks again
Billy |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 9:46 am
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My mother used to sing that!
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 1:33 pm
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| Wow! A thread combining my two least favorite instruments! And to think it's about one trying to imitate the other! Made my day. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 2:56 pm
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| Okay. Now what can I convert Bagpipes to? |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 3:03 pm
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Billy I can remember my Irish grandmother singing those very words to that song hehe !! Ain't the commonwealth a wonderful thing
Hope your keeping warm up there in Glasgow right now William - probably a good idea to wear some woolies under your kilt.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 3:19 pm
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| Talking about a conversion, my pet Octopus is lonely. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 3:26 pm
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| Quote: |
| Wow! A thread combining my two least favorite instruments! And to think it's about one trying to imitate the other! Made my day. |
If that's true, Charlie, why are you here?  |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 4:38 pm
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| Barry Blackwood wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Wow! A thread combining my two least favorite instruments! And to think it's about one trying to imitate the other! Made my day. |
If that's true, Charlie, why are you here? |
After playing Dobro and non-pedal steel for over fifty years I think I have right to be here. Or as much right as anybody else does! |
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Allan Jirik
From:
Wichita Falls TX
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Posted 4 Dec 2010 8:00 pm
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Cool.
This is exactly the kind of "outside the box" thinking and playing that we need to encourage. |
Exactly. Though I'm partial to the Uilleann pipes I will definitely give it a try.
You know, I am amazed and disheartened by the lack of respect shown to other musical instruments and forms of musical expression that appears so frequently on SGF. I haven't encountered this at all on other music forums that I belong to. It is certainly okay to dislike particular instruments and the way they are played- I do- but to constantly rag on and make fun of accordians, banjos, bagpipes, whatever... is shallow, immature and unprofessional. You are only broadcasting your own character flaws. Your mamas and/or your music instructors should have taught you better. |
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