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Good to know. I had assumed the piper is a permanent fixture. I'll manage my expectations.I can't really answer your questions, but there is not always a bagpipe player in the tunnel leading to the Cathedral plaza. I have seen other musicians and singers in that spot.
I assume that the bagpipe players are Spanish. The bagpipe or gaita is a traditional instrument in the north of Spain.
On my second time the was a woman opera singer - which was also quite cool, but when we ventured out later, the piper was back.Good to know. I had assumed the piper is a permanent fixture. I'll manage my expectations.
The Galician music has close ties to Irish tradional music. The Galician gaita is the traditional instrument of Galicia and northern Portugal.In countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
Here is an older thread (from 2014) that is probably still relevant with info about the busking world in Santiago.In countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
We were lucky last time, there was a festival in Ponferrada, and the Galician pipe bands were playing in the streets. Then in Muxia we encountered them again, and followed them through the streets there.Good to know. I had assumed the piper is a permanent fixture. I'll manage my expectations.
There are apparently 12 pipers who are allowed to play under the arch leading to the Obradoiro square. An article from September last year (2021) says: The pipers of the Obradoiro take it in turns. Only the twelve pipers of the Obradoiro square know the crack in the stone in which their "quadrant of the day" is hidden. They play as much as the city council of Santiago allows them to play so as not to deprive the pilgrims of the music of Galicia.There are several pipers and they do not always play the same tune. I have only seen Galician pipers in SdC. One was instantly recognisable because of his dog. My favourite was a woman.
What time of year was that?We were lucky last time, there was a festival in Ponferrada, and the Galician pipe bands were playing in the streets. Then in Muxia we encountered them again, and followed them through the streets there.
Is this the one?In countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
Best sound in the world is the sound of the pipes.The Galician (Spanish??) bagpipes are of a different construction to the Highland bagpipes so have a different sound. If you happen to have an interest in the subject, you should try to see the World Bagpipes Championship held annually and usually in August in Scotland. The highlight is the massed bands on the last day.
On the other hand, if you hate them, then avoid that time of the year.
I spoke with him as I dropped a few euros in his case. I had assumed he was Scottish but he is Spanish, playing Spanish bagpipesIn countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
The article that I linked to in post #2 in this thread discusses the different types of bagpipes in the Iberian Peninsula.I was fortunate enough to hear pipes played in Asturias. I am a musician, but not a piper, and my memory of observations of the Asturian pipes made at the time is that they are different again to the Galician pipes - but I am happy to be corrected on that one. I seem to recall that at the time I thought they had a more mellow sound than the gaita, I guess in a similar way when comparing the Scottish and Irish pipes.
I assume that the bagpipe players are Spanish. The bagpipe or gaita is a traditional instrument in the north of Spain.
A Short Overview of the Bagpipes from the Iberian Peninsula
I remember walking down the street towards the tunnel near the church, Pilgrims walking about, the street markets open, and hearing the echo of the bagpipes...a chill ran down my spine. What a way to finish the El Camino. Knowing that you have just arrived, you have completed your goal and are accepted and welcomed by Pilgrims all over the world. How do you top that?In countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
What a fun post to read this morning as I was born and raised in Scotland but live in the US now (still kept my accentThe Galician (Spanish??) bagpipes are of a different construction to the Highland bagpipes so have a different sound. If you happen to have an interest in the subject, you should try to see the World Bagpipes Championship held annually and usually in August in Scotland. The highlight is the massed bands on the last day.
On the other hand, if you hate them, then avoid that time of the year.
Yep that's the song I always hear. Fingers crossed there's a piper there when I walk through.Is this the one?
It is special - so special it seems a bit sad there's a thread about it. It's nice to arrive in Santiago (or even walk a camino?) without knowing what's around every corner before you get there : )I don't have the answers - but I had the same questions! I spent 2 nights in Santiago - so I walked through that tunnel a few times. There was always a bagpipe playing when I walked through in the AM and early afternoon. Can't remember for sure - but I don't think he was there in the evening. Anyhow - it was such a special thing to reach Santiago and hear the bagpipes as I approached!
I get that! I kind of felt that way walking last summer. When planning I had watched a LOT of Camino videos. To know what I was getting into, to keep the excitement going... I don't know all of the reasons why, but I did. When I finally got to walk - I wished I hadn't! I knew too much already of what to expect.It is special - so special it seems a bit sad there's a thread about it. It's nice to arrive in Santiago (or even walk a camino?) without knowing what's around every corner before you get there : )
I too have great respect for Galatian culture. But bagpipes have always sounded like fingernails on a blackboard to me.Much as I respect the cultural significance of the bagpipers, I am always relieved when they take a break.
It is special - so special it seems a bit sad there's a thread about it. It's nice to arrive in Santiago (or even walk a camino?) without knowing what's around every corner before you get there : )
I get that! I kind of felt that way walking last summer. When planning I had watched a LOT of Camino videos. To know what I was getting into, to keep the excitement going... I don't know all of the reasons why, but I did. When I finally got to walk - I wished I hadn't! I knew too much already of what to expect.
I backpacked around Europe and Asia for years in the 80's and 90's, pre-internet days. And I've traveled equally as much post-internet days. Personally, I prefer the post-internet days, not that I've found there's a big difference. If it weren't for all the camino videos on YouTube I likely would never have heard about this wonderful thing, and it's even less likely I'd actually be doing it. It's up to each individual to keep their expectations in check, and those expectations can be the result of too much pre-trip information, or too little pre-trip information. It works both ways.It is special - so special it seems a bit sad there's a thread about it. It's nice to arrive in Santiago (or even walk a camino?) without knowing what's around every corner before you get there : )
This is very true! I think for me, it was great for giving information and building confidence that I could do it. But I also wish there were more surprises. So - finding the right balance for you is essential! For me, it didn't set up unrealistic expectations in any way - but I just expected all those cool little spots that everyone shows in their videos and would have been nice to stumble upon them and be surprised instead of already knowing they were there.I backpacked around Europe and Asia for years in the 80's and 90's, pre-internet days. And I've traveled equally as much post-internet days. Personally, I prefer the post-internet days, not that I've found there's a big difference. If it weren't for all the camino videos on YouTube I likely would never have heard about this wonderful thing, and it's even less likely I'd actually be doing it. It's up to each individual to keep their expectations in check, and those expectations can be the result of too much pre-trip information, or too little pre-trip information. It works both ways.
The best Galician piper is Carlos Nunez who used to play with The Chieftains. He often has concerts in the square in front of Santiago cathedral.In countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
Totally understandable. However I would also point out that much like watching YouTube videos, reading and posting on this very site can equally ruin those little surprises, as many/most are discussed here. And I think many/most people enjoy reflecting on, and sharing, those special surprises. So unless we remove everyone's internet access we have to simply accept that hidden gems and unexpected surprises will always be shared widely. It's the reality of a connected world, for better or for worse.This is very true! I think for me, it was great for giving information and building confidence that I could do it. But I also wish there were more surprises. So - finding the right balance for you is essential! For me, it didn't set up unrealistic expectations in any way - but I just expected all those cool little spots that everyone shows in their videos and would have been nice to stumble upon them and be surprised instead of already knowing they were there.
woman opera singer
A true Pink Floyd Fan....I think many will not get the joke.Was he at the gate of dawn?
I was fortunate enough to hear pipes played in Asturias. I am a musician, but not a piper, and my memory of observations of the Asturian pipes made at the time is that they are different again to the Galician pipes - but I am happy to be corrected on that one. I seem to recall that at the time I thought they had a more mellow sound than the gaita, I guess in a similar way when comparing the Scottish and Irish pipes.
When I was in Santiago last year, there was a woman piper....In my three visits to Santiago there has (at varying times of the day) been a bagpipe player. Whether he is a busker or not I do not know - but I always put a few Euros in his tray. His music is a welcome message to the tired pilgrim.
I believe there is a rota for various performers in the arch. They like it as the acoustics are great. As to the piper himself, the pipes are traditional instruments of Galicia. You can find them at other points along the way in Galiicia. There is a legend that Ireland was colonised by three Galician brothers who brought the pipes with them. Us Irish didnt take to them as they were too hard work so we modified them to the elbow pies that required no blowing. When the brothers reached what is now County Antrim they could see another land to the east so they then arrived in Scotland, once again bringing the pipes with them. It is a great tale but as to its authenticity, who knows. I know there is a project in Santiago University exploring the connections between Galicia, Ireland and Scotland. Apparently, there is a connection in early architecture between all three but the Irish and Scottish development was halted by English invasions which knocked the local cultures off course including outlawing the language. Finally, add the classical singer to your list of things to see and hear. He gives his performance in the evening time and it is fantastic. One of my regrets is not buying his CD to bring home so all my family could enjoy it.. Sorry about this essay when all you asked was a simple question about the piperIn countless videos about the arrival in Santiago we see the bagpiper playing near the entrance to the cathedral square. Just wondering if these pipers are essentially random buskers, or is this an official job that a piper has? I'm assuming they have their pipes case open for donations. Are they Spaniards or Scottish?
I also notice that the piper generally seems to be playing the same song, which has quite a fast tempo. Do they always play the same song? Is there some significance to that particular song?
Perhaps no one pays attention to the piper, but because I took bagpipe lessons for a couple years when I was a kid I tend to notice pipers more. And I am very much looking forward to hearing the sound of those pipes when I arrive. Perhaps as much as seeing the cathedral.
The “traditional” Celtic Nations are Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany although some debate surrounds their official validity there is also Galicia and Asturias (I personally include them) and all have a version of bagpipes obviously I’m biased and think the Scottish pipes are the bestView attachment 122791
We purchased a copy of the opera singers CD and listen to it fairly often.On my second time the was a woman opera singer - which was also quite cool, but when we ventured out later, the piper was back.
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