Quibblings

The EBelaire is truly a new twist on something old.  No one today even blinks at the player of a small-pipe driven by a mechanical bellows.  Similarly, no one 'scoffs' at synthetic bags, synthetic reeds, plastic chanters, pipes etc.  Personally, I think the greatest innovation since the invention of the 'Stock' was the bag zipper!     Here we will capture some of the quibblings and misunderstandings related to the EBelaire.

The fundamental problem with electronic bagpipes is that they are, first and foremost, digital representations of bagpipe sounds.   They all depend on external amplification and speakers.  While they are very effective in concert halls and recording studios they are not usable on the street or in a practice circle.  There is an ineffable quality in the sound of a well tuned and well played reeded bagpipe that is simply beyond the current electronic offerings.   The EBelaire is the only commercial solution available today that supports the playing of a reeded bagpipe.

I have found in my 30+ years of teaching piping students that the most difficult point comes when they transition from the practicer chanter to the bagpipe.  The EBelaire has helped my students to physically understand what the instrument should feel like at full pressure.  Knowing the goal helps clarify and give purpose to all other instructions.   I find it invaluable as a 'Tool' to learning but agree it is not meant to take the place of traditional exercise that involve  developing good blowing habits.

The question of the role of technology in piping is still evolving.  The EBelaire has sparked great interest from both a compassion perspective (those too quickly cut off from their Piping careers now have a path to continue) and 'level playing field' perspective.    The Eastern US Pipe Band Association has published a rule that requires permission from the association to be sought before playing in a sanctioned contest.   The applicant must establish their need to the satisfaction of the executive music board which will issue a letter that can be presented to each games committee to forestall any issues on the field.   This is question will continue to be debated over time and I expect maturation of the guardrails to the use of this, and other technologies, will continue to evolve.