Alan's Solo Performances


Introduction

Alan plays many different kinds of bagpipes, several diatonic accordions, and numerous other wind and percussion instruments.

Alan began studying the music of the British Isles and Ireland soon after taking up the Highland bagpipe, and has now mastered a sizable tune repetoire played on a number of different folk instruments of these lands. The traditional music and instruments of continental Europe were also introduced early on to Alan from his many encounters with other folk musicians. Instruction with the greats of European traditional music both here and abroad has enabled Alan to master each instrument and musical style.

Alan's solo playing experience includes frequent performances at weddings, funerals, parties, dances, festivals, and corporate events. He has also appeared a number of times in theatre productions and on radio and television. Alan has been extensively involved in group instruction, workshops, lectures and demonstrations at schools, music camps and festivals. This page contains recent 'thank-you' notes and testimonials from some of Alan's many hundreds of clients.

If interested, Alan can supply and perform with other pipers and/or drummers, and can provide accompaniment for his or your Scottish Highland and/or Irish step dancers. Also see Alan's Group Performances Page.

Instruments and Musical Styles

Bagpipes

As well as the most familiar of bagpipes, the Scottish Great Highland bagpipe or piob mor, there are more than two-hundred others played around the world. Alan has collected, built, and learned to play a number of different European bagpipes including three Scottish, three English, seven French, one Galician (Spanish), one Flemish (Belgian), one Swedish and one Turkish (see Instrument Collection - Bagpipes). Many of Alan's bagpipes are somewhat similar in construction and function, but each one looks and sounds uniquely different.

A sizable repertoire of music uniquely linked to each individual piping tradition allows Alan to perform at length on one or more bagpipes associated with a particular culture. In addition to performances of a singular theme or instrument, Alan has on many occasions entertained audiences with his playing of many different bagpipes. This type of performance can take the form of a demonstration, recital, lecture or a combination of all of these. Note: There is no better instrument than the bagpipe for getting people's attention and/or for leading them in a procession from one location to another. The sound of the Highland Bagpipe in particular seizes the moment like no other instrument.

See: Alan's European & American Music Repertoire Page for a list of the more well-known tunes that Alan plays on his Scottish Highland bagpipe.

Also see: The Wedding Tips Page, which gives detailed information on hiring Alan to play bagpipes at a wedding.

and

The Funeral or Memorial Service Bagpiper Tips Page, which gives detailed information on hiring Alan to play for a funeral or memorial service.

Accordions

Melodious, rhythmic, earthy and gay - what's a waltz or polka without an accordion? After nearly putting the bagpipe out of business in most of Europe during the last century, this product of the industrial revolution has taken folk music for it's own and is here to stay. It's sound can be heard around the world! Alan plays several different sizes and keys of one of the earliest forms of the accordion; known throughout continental Europe as the diatonic accordion, it is commonly called a melodian in Britain and Ireland, and a button-box in the U.S. (see Instrument Collection - Accordions).

In addition to demonstating different musical traditions, or entertaining at ethnic and cultural-themed events, the accordion is also useful for accompanying sing-alongs, such as Christmas caroling, and special songs associated with annual events such as Happy Birthday and Auld Lang Syne.

See: Alan's European & American Music Repertoire Page for a list of the more well-known tunes that Alan plays on his accordions.

Misc. Wind & Percussion Instruments

Especially suited to Irish music, Alan plays several different sizes and keys of 'tin' or 'penny' whistles. Alan's other reed instruments include various forms of folk oboes, a Renaissance crumhorn, harmonicas and several types of mouth-blown reedpipes including the Welsh pibcorn. Percussion instruments in Alan's collection take the form of various stick and hand drums, as well as more unusual friction drums. (See Instrument Collection-Misc. Instruments).

Performances

Alan accordion
Centre France costume
Usually a performance by Alan involves his playing a specific instrument and style of music connected to a particular tradition, ie., the Highland bagpipe at a Scottish or Irish wedding. Or the instrument and music can be associated with a partiucular theme, such as the playing of accordion waltzes and polkas for Oktoberfest, or the singing and playing of Irish songs and tunes on Saint Patrick's Day. As well as playing the traditional music of each instrument, Alan usually makes his appearance in the colorful folk costume associated with the instrument and it's culture. Here you will find links to photos of Alan in a few of his different costumes:

Some suggested uses for Alan's many talents:

Recent Notable Solo Public Performances

Booking Information

For booking information, or to request a free brochure and/or demo tape, contact Alan by email (use the 'Contact' button on the navigation table below, or go to Alan's 'Home' Page for address),
or
telephone Alan at: (650) 964-5279 (home), (650) 391-5546 (mobile)

For additional hiring information, please refer to: Help For the Musician(s) and Guide To Fees.

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last update: 2/5/09