![]() ![]() “If you want an instrument that I think can be tuned, played in public, and sound well you are going to have to spend at least $1,200 dollars.”īeyond the musical talent required, the art of bagpiping can be athletic, especially when it comes to marching and with the controlling one’s breathing as well as the tone of the pipes. When purchasing, you can go low end or top end, he said. After a few lessons, however, most realize they’re not committed either in the amount of time or money. People have approached him during performances with the desire to learn to play the bagpipes. ![]() “I think in the early 2000s, there was a surge in the interest in Celtic things,” he said. Through the years, Solum has seen bagpiping and all things Celtic recede and increase in popularity. “I love Scotch whisky, it’s lead to a single malt scotch collection, it’s lead to listening to the music and bands,” he said. “I’m sure, historically, it had some sort of purpose, now its just for car keys and my cellphone,” he said.Īlthough not Scottish, bagpiping has allowed Solum to appreciate specific aspects of the culture. While he’s performing, Solum usually wears traditional bagpiping garb including a shirt, tie, vest, kilt with a belt, long socks and pair of ghillie brogues, which are servant shoes in Gaelic, as the historical piper was often seen as a servant.Ī sporran, a pouch around one’s waist with a chain, is often included in the outfit. While the younger generation typically requests more modern or rock ‘n’ roll songs, “they are always asking for ‘Free Bird,’” said Solum, referencing the southern rock song by Lynyrd Skynyrd. “When people know I’m coming, there will be half a dozen wearing their tartan or plaid as a blanket or a hat,” he said. Their requests typically include traditional Scottish tunes. Solum’s found older generations have more of an appreciation for Scottish ancestry that’s associated with the bagpipe. Smith Elementary and in “The World’s Shortest Patrick’s Day Parade” in downtown Bemidji on Monday. “I get to be a rock star for a day,” said Solum, who played at Neilson Place, J.W. The big day of the year, of course, is St. While still active with the Macalester band, Solum remains busy playing the pipes in the Bemidji area, including teaching private lessons, and performing at weddings, funerals and other events. Solum soon connected with the Macalester College Pipe Band, which has a strong Scottish history and has had a bagpipe band for as long as he can remember, he said. Solum plays the Great Highland Bagpipe, which is a typical Scottish bagpipe rather than the Irish model, which is called the Uilleann pipe that is often heard in movies. “I usually don’t tell people right away and when people find out, they are like ‘That’s weird,’” he said.īrian, often referred to as Bagpipe Brian, started playing the bagpipes while living in the Twin Cities. He’s a wrestling coach.īrian Solum is also a professional bagpiper.
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