The Bagpipe Society

In the Bag - Paul Martin

Paul Martin is a multi instrumentalist from Durham in the North East of England, who is most often found playing different varieties of bagpipe in a folk or medieval setting. His background is mainly in the folk music and piping traditions of the British Isles, particularly that of Northern England and the Borders, although for some time now has been exploring Medieval music and has recorded an album of English music on bagpipes from 13th-15th centuries. He regularly plays and performs both styles solo and working with other musicians, often going under the name of The Dunholm Piper.

What bagpipes do you play?

Border pipes in A and G, the A set with ‘Highland’ flattened seventh fingering, the G is mouth blown with half closed fingering giving an F nat and F#.

These pipes were made by Ian Corrigan and set up and reeded by myself.

Other pipes I regularly play for gigs include a Jim Parr high D medieval set, Gajdy in F by Juro Dufek, and a Burleigh set of Northumbrian smallpipes in F. I play Uilleann and Highland although not as often as the other pipes at the moment, I’m also in the process of making myself a medieval style smallpipe.

Do you play any other instruments?

Fiddle, Whistle, Hurdy Gurdy, Melodeon.

What led you to take up piping?

I was 11 years old on a family holiday in Kirkcudbright when we came across a pipe band playing in the town square. Shortly afterwards I decided that I wanted to learn to play the pipes not knowing the first thing about them, but fortunately at the time there was a local pipe band in Durham running a learners night once a week. My parents bought me a practice chanter and off I went.

Which pipers do you most admire?

I’ve admired a lot of pipers over the years, most of whom were not well known but inspired me by their piping to a greater or lesser degree. It’s difficult to be specific about names as I immediately think I should mention others who’s piping was also memorable. In common with other instruments I’ve played, it’s not the flashiest or most technical playing that inspires or moves me rather something in their style that speaks.

Musicians of the Colpitts pub session in Durham, Monday nights 1987-2000
British and Irish folk song and dance music
I’m continually influenced by the musicians I’m fortunate enough to play with and listen to.

What three albums are top of your playlist right now?

Most recent are Silke Gwendolyn Schulze ‘Medieval Piper’, Nic Konradsen’s ‘The New Leaf’, and the festival cd from Medieval Music in the Dales produced by Paul Leigh.

If you had your life again, what instrument would you play?

Pretty much the same again, I’ve tried quite a few instruments and can carry a decent tune on several which has proved useful over time. I remember when I was learning to play the Highland pipes that it was uncommon to find a piper that played any other instrument.

It was when I discovered a session in a local pub that I knew I wanted to learn another instrument so I could sit down and join in. I taught myself the whistle and mandolin, then bought a set of shuttlepipes from Northumbrian pipemaker Dave Shaw.

Name your favourite music festival.

Medieval Music in the Dales

What are the most memorable gigs you’ve been to (involving pipes or

not)?

The Roma Radio and Folk stage at Sziget Festival Budapest Robin Williamson, Durham Town Hall

Paddy Keenan, Tyneside Irish Centre

What three words describe your piping style?

Free, Rhythmic, Adaptable

Bellows or mouth-blown?

Both, although mouthblown came first and I like the simplicity.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs- whippets and lurchers.

Are there any bagpipes you dislike?

Do you prefer playing, dancing or both?

Playing, although I dance Morris and Rapper.

Cane or plastic reeds?

Both, cane reeds in my Northumbrian, Highland and Uilleann chanters, most of the rest have composite reeds using various synthetic materials.

What’s your greatest musical achievement?

40 years of playing bagpipes

What’s your most embarrassing bagpiping moment?

There’s been a few, usually as a result of reed malfunction, cold fingers or both. It always helps to have a backup, reeds, chanter or another bagpipe.

My most embarrassing piping story concerns another Highland piper I knew when I was learning to play with the pipe band. The story goes that he was piping at a funeral when he lost his footing on the bit of fake turf by the graveside and consequently joined the recently departed in the grave.

Knowing the piper concerned, he was a fairly large chap and it would have been no easy task getting him out again.

What’s the most annoying question you get asked about the bagpipes?

I’m regularly asked “Are they the Northumbrian Pipes?”, regardless of which type of bagpipe I’m playing at the time (occasionally they are the Northumbrian pipes...)

What advice would you give a novice?

Do your best to learn to play on a well set up instrument and listen to as much piping as possible. Practice for short periods of time regularly.

I love bagpipes because...

I feel a connection with drone music, whether its reeds or strings or voices it fascinates and draws me. Aside from that, bagpipes are strange, old, and most can be easily carried around with you.

As told to Andy Letcher