Bagpipes By Sean profile picture

Bagpipes By Sean

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn

About Me

I started playing the pipes at age 13. I've played in quite a few pipe bands since then. Currently playing with 2 bands, Roisin Dubh from East Islip, NY and Manchester Pipe Band from CT.

When I was growing up I can remember my mom playing albums of traditional Irish music as well as pipe bands. She had a love for Irish music and was a champion Irish dancer. I guess she wanted her kids to enjoy this music just as she did. For me I was young and unwilling to hear it and initially turned off by it. However, that all changed when I heard the pipes in person for the first time.

Our house was on a road off a major route. Every 4th of July a parade was held on that route and the bands would line up on our block. There were firemen, fire trucks, marching bands, and of course pipe bands. I always loved the 4th of July because there was always so much excitement going on!

I'd walk up to the parade route and watch as all the bands went by. However when the pipe bands would make their way up the block it would send chills up the back of my neck and all the hair on my arms stood up! There was just something unique about it and it was at that point I thought it was neat!

My father and older sister must have felt the same way because they took up learning the pipes. In the following years I'd watch the same parade but now with them in it! I guess I felt left out and approached my sister about going down to their band practice. To my surprise I was started with a great teacher who showed me all the basics correctly and I picked it up fast.

I continued taking lessons with my teacher for about 2 years. At the same time I entered solo competitions and left my band for one that competed. I quickly moved up the solo ranks to grade II which is where I'm at today. I haven't taken private lessons for years and much of what I've learned about tuning, bags, moisture control, tone, steady blowing, and reeds has been self taught. I credit that to my band Roisin Dubh.

I am currently Pipe Sergeant of Roisin Dubh, a position I love and am very grateful to have received! Because I was given permission to work with the other pipers in the band I've learned the inner workings of the pipes and pipe bands. I've been tooling around with setting up the band for years and that has given me a great deal of experience that many never have. I currently instruct the band and lead the competition corp. We get better every year in differnet ways. They are a great group of people! I've played with many other bands and nobody comes close!

I love to teach and have a few private students. I love to work with bands as well. If anyone in the NY, Long Island area is looking for lessons please feel free to contact me at; [email protected]

I'm also looking to work with other musicians such as a bass player, keyboardist, and drummer.

Bands:

Siol Na h'Eireann Pipe Band May 1994-Nov 1995

Saffron Kilts Pipe Band Sep 1999-Dec 2000

Kenmure Pipe Band Nov 2003-Nov 2005

Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band Nov 1995-Present

Manchester Pipe Band CT Nov 2005-Present


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/12/2006
Band Members:

I love it!


Influences: Jack Lee, Gordon Duncan, Terry Tully, Mark Saul, Seumus Coyne, Davy Spillane, Susana Seivane, Carlos Nunez, Hevia, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, St Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band, Bagad Cap Caval
Record Label: Empty Pint Productions
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Road Trip

Friday I head up to Maxville, Canada for the North American Championships.  I'll be competiting with Manchester grade II.  I hope to come back with some good stories/pics/vids!
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:39:00 PST

St Patrick's Day 07

I have pretty much neglected this entire profile for months.  I've had every intention of recording new material before March 17th but just never got around to doing it.  I have re...
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:56:00 PST

Quotes I like...add one

"You can't change the music of your soul." "Don't leave the one you love forthe one you like because the one you like will leave you for theone they love." "Sometimes the heart sees wha...
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Sat, 26 Aug 2006 01:31:00 PST

Tune Requests

Lately I've been getting some requests for certain tunes.  Reply in this blog with the tunes you'd like to hear and perhaps I will record it.  Thanks again for everyones input so far!
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:04:00 PST

Off to Hunter NY

I'm heading upstate for the weekend to compete with Roisin Dubh in grade 4.  I think the band has a very good chance of winning this year.  Hopefully I'll have some good news when I get back...
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Sat, 19 Aug 2006 05:37:00 PST

Canadian hangover!

This weekend I headed up to Maxville Canada to compete with Manchester in grade II.  I made the long drive up on friday morn and got up here a little late.  The band had a practice at the NA...
Posted by Bagpipes By Sean on Sun, 06 Aug 2006 09:43:00 PST