Hew Morrison Collection > Piobaireachd

Chapter II
THE TEACHING AND STUDY OF PIOBAIREACHD
PIOBAIREACHD, as I have already said, is distinguished from the March,
Strathspey, and Reel by being termed the " Great Music." The MacCrimmons
would never permit their pupils to play such primitive music as " Ceol
Aotrom " within their hearing. They thus signified their superiority in the ancient
art of which they were masters, and proved their ability to judge both classes of
music. It seems as if that great race of pipers took it for granted that anyone
could play bagpipe-music of the lighter type, while, on the other hand, the intending
pupil had to be taught to play piobaireachd. No piper can ever hope to excel in
the art of piobaireachd playing unless he undergoes a considerable period of
instruction by a good master. When the MacCrimmon School at Boreraig was at
its best, each pupil had to study from seven to twelve years in piobaireachd exclu-
sively, and his master defrayed the entire expense of his tuition. In this way many
good performers were fostered at Boreraig after undergoing such a long time of
study and practice. In many cases, if not every case, when a Highland Chieftain first
heard his piper play on returning to his castle, he expressed himself as highly
pleased with the progress which the pupil had made while at Boreraig, Skye. In
some cases it is related that the pupil excelled the master in the performance of
piobaireachd, but this is very doubtful. The great MacCrimmons had a style of
playing piobaireachd peculiar to themselves, so it is hardly possible that this tale
could be true. To illustrate the truth of this, perhaps it may not be out of place
to relate here an incident, appearing in the traditional portion of Angus MacKay's
book of piobaireachd.
Sir Alexander MacDonald of the Isles, being at Dunvegan on a visit to the
laird of MacLeod, he heard the performance of Patrick Og with great delight ; and
desirous if possible to have a piper of equal merit, he said to MacCrimmon one day,
that there was a young man whom he was anxious to place under his tuition, upon
condition that he should not be allowed to return until such time as he could play
equal to his master. " When this is the case," said MacDonald, " you will bring
him home, and I will give you ample satisfaction for your trouble." " Sir Alexander,"
says Patrick, " if you will be pleased to send him to me, I will do all that I am able