First of all, I’m not sure when the nickname was bestowed upon me or the exact circumstances thereof. I suppose one does not necessarily get to choose these things and has little power over them once they take root. Accordingly I answer to “Ringo” or “Ron” as you wish. Most in the bagpipe world know me as “Ringo” and some seem surprised that my birth certificate would say otherwise. I suppose there may be some advantage to this. When my name is called at the hour of my demise I may have a card to play.
I’ve been fortunate in my lifetime to have been able to give back to the music and culture I love so dearly. In addition to this website, I have built several pipe band programs, taught countless students, written three books on the instrument and music. I also enjoyed the company of some of the greatest characters one can imagine.
I’m happy to connect with you, whether it’s to sort out a bagpipe issue or just to chat.
This work started about 50 years ago. I was a beginning piper in Kitchener Legion Branch 50 Pipe Band. I was playing a borrowed Lawrie bagpipe that pre-dated WWII. I remember it having severe warps in the bass drone. Musically, it was a handful. I fiddled and worked with it and gradually began to understand its personality and what made it what it was.
In those days of cane reeds and no moisture control several pipers in our band would show up to practice with neglected bagpipes. It became my job to re-hemp, re-reed, and otherwise bring them into playing condition. In so doing, I became aware of, and intrigued with, the different tonal and performance qualities of the various bagpipes.
There were few reliable resources in those days and the exchange of information was not what it is today. There was no Internet or Ebay or on-line forums. I began documenting bagpipes, which, over the years, led me to this. This work is ongoing. Contact Ringo info@thebagpipeplace.com
