This Piping Times editorial from Seumas MacNeill discusses the progress made in piping in the 25 years from 1950 to 1975. He credits various reasons, but perhaps the most compelling is the willingness of the top pipers to unselfishly share their knowledge. The progress of piping has continued the thrive in the following 50 years since this editorial was published. As we look to the next quarter decade, with technology allowing us to easily communicate with any corner of the world, hopefully it will be the unselfish, good-willed human spirit that drives the progress and keep the pipes’ vibrations high.
By SEUMAS MacNEILL
Piping Times
February 1975
There is no doubt that the status of piping and of the piper have come a long way in the third quarter of the twentieth century. In many ways this has been one of the most rapidly advancing periods in piping history, and those of us who are old enough can look back with a great deal of satisfaction at the progress which has been made on all fronts in that time.
The list is too long to put in detail, but it does not take much imagination to envisage future candidates for high certification in piping writing answers to such questions as “Compare and contrast the state of piping in 1950 with that in 1975”—and finding no shortage of material. And the younger pipers among us will no doubt be somewhat amazed to consider how many of the things we now take for granted had apparently not been thought of when this century reached its mid-point.
Perhaps the biggest single factor in all this advancement has been the increase in communications which has taken place. We look forward each month to receiving reports of piping activities from all over the world, through printed magazines, stencilled magazines and even more modest news-sheets—but all fulfill their main purpose of letting the left hand of piping know what the right hand is doing. Some of the people we read about we will never meet or speak to. but all contribute to a sense of belonging, giving comfort and confidence by their very numbers.
Communications have also been improved by the ease with which we can travel around the world (although a rise of twenty-five per cent in air fares this year is a considerable set-back). But not so long ago saying farewell to a relative emigrating to the United States was little different from attending a funeral. Nowadays we expect a call when they arrive and a visit at Easter.
Through these rapidly improved communications we have been able to develop a better exchange of news and information, so that the spread of piping—and of good piping—is accelerating very rapidly. Canada, Australia, New Zealand are already producing splendid pipers, and more and better are yet to come.
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to detail the reasons for all this recent progress, although several of the main factors can be fairly readily discerned. But when allocating the credit we should not forget the basic impelling change of attitude which has made it all possible the willingness of top pipers to share their knowledge, unselfishly and without thought of personal gain.
A few decades ago the secrets of the professional were yielded all but slowly. A few decades before that they were yielded hardly at all. We still have two or three exceptional cases—(well-known centres of non-information, players with the cards close to the chest, “no comment” experts, I-could-a-tale-unfold types)—but by and large knowledge is available readily. This intelligent attitude has changed the face of piping.