May 16, 2025 • 29 mins
The Sound of Scotland in Florida: John Mistler on Bagpipe Culture
In this episode of the Open Forum podcast based in The Villages, Florida, host Mike Roth shines a spotlight on local clubs and noteworthy residents. The featured guest is John Misler, an instructor for the bagpipe band known as 'The Sounds of Scotland Pipes and Drums.' Misler shares his journey into the world of bagpipes, which began in 1999 and evolved into his role as a teacher. He breaks down the learning process, starting with the practice chanter, discusses different types of bagpipes, and provides insights into the courses offered through the Enrichment Academy. The conversation also delves into the history, techniques, and international variations of bagpipes.
John Mistler is a Retired Fire Captain from Atlantic City Fire Department in New Jersey. Introduced to the bagpipe by Captain Norman Wilson and received instruction from Pipe Major Joseph Stearn . Formed the ACFD Sand Pipers in 2000 with the goal of creating a band to pay homage to public safety and military members that pay the ultimate price by performing at “Line of Duty” Funeral Ceremony’s.
Elected to the position of Pipe Major of the ACFD Sand Pipers in NJ around 2010 and continued receiving instruction from the “Balmoral School of Piping” in East Strausberg, Pa.
Relocated to The Villages in 2021 and lives in the village of Buttonwood. Happily joining the “The Sounds of Scotland Pipes and Drums” in the Villages. Currently serving as an instructor and Pipe Seargent of the band under the leadership of Pipe Major Scott Broaderick. Serving as lead instructor with the “Enrichment Academy of the Villages.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Open Forum Podcast
01:42 Meet John Misler: The Bagpipe Enthusiast
02:27 Learning the Bagpipes: Techniques and History
04:19 The Global Journey of Bagpipes
08:58 Teaching Bagpipes at The Villages
13:15 Semester Overview and Practice Sessions
13:51 Alzheimer's Disease Insights with Dr. Craig Curtis
15:14 Bagpipe Concerts and Popular Tunes
17:09 Learning and Playing the Bagpipes
18:04 Women in Bagpiping
18:47 Bagpipe Competitions and Young Talent
21:50 Bagpipe Equipment and Maintenance
24:29 Electronic Bagpipes and Practice Techniques
26:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
FALL IMPROV - UNSCRIPTED FUN AND GAMES
If you are a Villager, I wanted to remind you about our great new improv show coming up on September 29th at 6:30 pm at the Rohan Recreation Center. The show is for Villagers. The funniest show ever.
Reserved seating at tables of eight. Bring your own snacks and favorite adult beverages. Get Your Tickets at My.AllEvents.in/improv92925 but remember it is only for Villagers who like to laugh!
Have you heard about mature adults with Donna Hoover and Mike Roth? Yes. This is my second podcast and Donna and I are going to be addressing subjects which are significant for seniors, especially seniors living here in the villages.
The easiest way to hear the show is to look it up on Apple Podcasts. Look for mature adults with Donna and Mike. We'll be looking for you there.
You can also find us on mature adults with Donna and Mike. All spelled out. Dot buzz sprout.com
<Open Forum in The Villages, Florida is Produced & Directed by Mike Roth
A new episode will be released most Fridays at 9 AM
Direct all questions and comments to mike@rothvoice.com
If you know a Villager who should appear on the show, please contact us at: mike@rothvoice.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Emily (00:08):
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Stay curious, stay inspired,and keep those headphones on.
I hope everyone enjoys today'sshow.
/This is Mike Roth on OpenForum in The Villages, Florida.
I'm here today with JohnMisler.
John, thanks for joining me.
John Mistler (01:46):
Thank you.
Mike Roth (01:47):
John and I met when we were getting ready for an
Enrichment Academy trade show.
John Mistler (01:51):
Sitting at my weed table and you came rolling by.
Mike Roth (01:53):
That's right.
I stopped when I noticed thatJohn was carrying a set of
bagpipes.
John Mistler (01:59):
You don't see that every day, do you?
Mike Roth (02:00):
No.
You don't see that every day.
Did the Enrichment Academyactually have a course in how to
play the bagpipes?
John Mistler (02:06):
And the answer to that is yes.
I'm a member of the localvillage's bagpipe band called
The Sounds of Scotland Pipes andDrums.
And I am one of theirinstructors.
We have three or four guysthat'll help people out.
And recently our leadinstructor was having some
health issues and he needed totake a little break And they
asked somebody to volunteer andeverybody stepped back and left
me standing up.
It turned out to be me.
Mike Roth (02:27):
How long have you been playing the bagpipes?
John Mistler (02:30):
Probably around 1999, 2000 is when I first
picked up the practice chanter,which is how you begin to learn
to play.
Mike Roth (02:37):
A practice Chanter, tell everyone what that is.
John Mistler (02:39):
Yeah.
It's a small musical instrumentthat has the same configuration
of the actual bagpipe.
And you learn the play on thatinstrument and learn the
fingering technique That youwill eventually transfer over to
the actual highland bagpipethat we play normally.
Mike Roth (02:55):
Okay.
John Mistler (02:55):
it sounds like it's similar to a recorder young
kids play in school.
Mike Roth (02:58):
Is that what you brought
John Mistler (02:59):
I brought one my practice chancer and an electric
bagpipe with me, just in caseyou wanted to demonstrate any of
the sounds that come outwithout blowing up the actual
instrument.
Mike Roth (03:08):
Sure.
Let's hear what the, beginnerstool sounds like Okay.
John Mistler (03:11):
It's, similar to a recorder where you blow into
this one.
And there's a reed inside theinstrument creates a buzz.
And you play the notes of thebagpipe.
For instance, there's only ninenotes on the instrument of the
bagpipe.
Mike Roth (03:26):
Only
John Mistler (03:26):
Nine notes.
Mike Roth (03:27):
Demonstrate.
we've got 10 fingers, so
John Mistler (03:28):
There's one that doesn't get used.
one is ignored.
So I'm gonna play the scale ofthe bagpipe right now.
And that's what it is.
you learn how to hold it, howyour fingers work on it, there's
a technique that you want atraditional way of doing it.
We try not to use ourfingertips You use more of the
(03:50):
middle parts of your finger,
Mike Roth (03:51):
the middle parts of your finger.
John Mistler (03:53):
Which covers the bottom holes on the right hand
holes.
The top holes is closer to thefingertips, It's just an
interesting technique.
Most people pick it up and tryplaying it with their
fingertips, which I guess can bedone.
But it's not the traditionalway of playing it.
your instructor will probablytry to break you of that habit.
Get you back, straighteningyour fingers out a bit.
Mike Roth (04:10):
Okay.
I guess that's the way itlooks, when you?
John Mistler (04:13):
Yes.
It's the way it looks andthere's reasons for it.
I was taught that way.
I try to teach students the wayI was taught.
Mike Roth (04:19):
how long ago was the bagpipes invented?
John Mistler (04:22):
Everybody thinks the bagpipes from Scotland or
they're from Ireland.
Mike Roth (04:25):
That's right.
I think about 'em,
John Mistler (04:26):
They're from northern Africa, actually.
Mike Roth (04:28):
Northern Africa.
John Mistler (04:29):
Back in the days where they were, tending to
herds of sheep Trying to occupytheir time, they played an
instrument that had a bag, ablow stick, and.
A chanter that created thenotes, the melody.
when the Romans conqueredeverybody, and then went back
into Europe, they carried thisinstrument with 'em.
Depending on where it went.
In Europe, it evolved into aslightly different instrument
(04:51):
different areas.
Scotland is the one we are usedto seeing with the three drones
that go over the
Mike Roth (04:55):
But the bag of air,
John Mistler (04:56):
bag of air is similar in all the instruments.
Mike Roth (04:58):
There are instruments all over Europe with bags of
air.
John Mistler (05:01):
Yeah.
there's a glacier area of Spainhas a really awesome
instrument.
I love the way it sounds.
Germany, has one of courseScotland Yeah.
All over the place.
There's slightly differentlooking and slightly different
sounding.
They have the chanter, the partthat makes the melody keyed
differently.
In different areas.
What they liked, however, theyliked the sound
Mike Roth (05:22):
Did the other instruments also have the three
pipes out of the bag
John Mistler (05:25):
Not all the Irish had an instrument they called
the war pipe, so it only had twodrones out over the shoulder
where the Scottish had three.
The other instruments, likeGermany has three, I think on
their drones and Spain, GalatiaSpain has three, but they don't
lay over your shoulder.
They kinda lay across thechest.
Just, slightly differentinstruments
Mike Roth (05:42):
As a bagpipe player, can you turn the drones on or
off, or are they always on?
John Mistler (05:46):
They're always on.
If you're playing correctly theinstrument itself has four
reads in it that you're playingat the same time.
There's one in each one of thedrones that go over your
shoulder and there's one thatcomes out that plays the melody.
Mike Roth (05:58):
Yeah.
And It's always the same noteon all the bagpipes for those
three drones.
John Mistler (06:01):
The Scottish Highland bagpipe has two tenor
drones, two shorter ones.
And one base drone.
The long one has a base sound,and it should create a chord if
they're tuned properly, whichalso creates a chord with the
notes that you're playing out ofthe chanter.
If you hear a well tuned.
Good bagpiper.
It's really beautiful music,people who hate the bagpipes
(06:24):
have probably heard them playoutta tune, and maybe by not
such a good player.
So getting back to the actualinstrument it's one that takes
time to learn.
For me, everybody's different,but my rule of thumb is for an
adult learner, it's about a yearto learn to play.
So yeah, the average adultlearner takes about a year.
So you're on this practiceinstrument.
(06:44):
My rule of thumb is if you canmemorize 10 tunes that you can
play on your practiceinstrument, then it's time to
look into the actual bagpipe.
cause that's learning all overagain.
Now you have to balance thething.
Fill up the bag with the air.
Blow the appropriate amount ofpressure into the bag, And
create sound that's pleasant.
Mike Roth (07:03):
So when you're finished playing a song, is
there a valve that you turn toget the air out of the bag?
John Mistler (07:08):
You release your arm off of the bag quickly.
And the pressure goes away.
The reeds stop vibrating.
Mike Roth (07:15):
Ah, okay.
John Mistler (07:16):
Which is a technique that you need to learn
when you're learning to playthe pipes.
Mike Roth (07:20):
What's the first song you teach people?
John Mistler (07:22):
We try to keep things pretty simple.
There's one of the tunes inmost of the bagpipe books that
you learn on.
It's called Scott's Hay whichis written by Robbie Burns, I
believe.
I don't know if he wrote theactual music, but he put the
words to it Back in the 17hundreds.
So it's a fairly simple song toplay and it's one of the first
ones we teach then, we move on.
(07:44):
There's a couple ofprogressions that you try to do
with the pipes where you'relearning more and more of the
technique Of the instrument andnotations.
then we get you on AmazingGrace once you can play Amazing
Grace, you're hooked.
We're gonna put you in the livewell 'cause you're gonna keep
going.
everybody wants to play AmazingGrace.
Mike Roth (08:00):
How many notes are there in Amazing Grace,
John Mistler (08:03):
I never counted, but there's nine.
Mike Roth (08:04):
If It's more than nine.
John Mistler (08:06):
it's not on the bagpipe.
Mike Roth (08:07):
Yeah.
So you cut all the songs downto nine notes basically.
John Mistler (08:10):
And that's one of the challenges of the instrument
because, it's a very oldinstrument.
And the music for the bagpipeis quite old, and what we play
today is considered the lightmusic.
So sometimes you have to adaptthe arrangement to fit the range
of the bagpipe.
So you may be listening to atune that you're familiar with
and it just doesn't sound likeit went to the right note.
(08:31):
It might be because he had todrop the octave, Because we
don't have that note on thebagpipe.
Mike Roth (08:36):
There's no way to Move up an octave.
John Mistler (08:38):
No, not on this particular instrument Now there
are other instruments that arebagpipes that have keys like a
clarinet and they have a largerrange of notes that you can
play.
But not on this kind.
It's a very old, ancientinstrument that's played the
same way as it was played manyyears ago, only with newer
material that they make thepipes out of in their reeds and
things.
Mike Roth (08:58):
You're teaching, a course.
In the Enrichment academ.
Yes.
This is not the first timeyou've taught it.
John Mistler (09:03):
It is for me 'cause I'm fairly new to the
band.
But I've taught others back inNew Jersey where I learned how
to play.
Over the years I had my owngroup of students that would
come and go,
Mike Roth (09:13):
How many players do we have in the bagpipe Band here
in The Villages?
John Mistler (09:17):
I think if we have a good turnout, we'll probably
get 12 or 13 Pipers.
Another eight.
Or so drummers to have the fullcompliment.
Mike Roth (09:26):
And when should someone figure that they're
gonna need to buy a set ofbagpipes?
John Mistler (09:31):
When you've been practicing on this practice
chanter my rule of thumb is youcan play eight or 10 tunes while
you're watching the news andgetting distracted.
it's time to start.
On the real instrument.
Start hunting for the realbagpipes and start learning how
to play that thing.
'cause it's like wrestling anoctopus in the beginning 'cause
it's just very awkward feeling.
Up on your shoulder.
(09:52):
You don't know how to tip your,body to keep it from falling
off and blowing hard enough tomake the reeds play.
It takes a bit.
Mike Roth (09:59):
And What a set of bagpipes cost?
John Mistler (10:02):
They do make bagpipes now that are completely
made out of plastic, which iscalled poly panco.
you can probably get a set ofthose in the $900 range.
Traditionally the bagpipes aremade of wood.
usually African blackwood ormaybe coca bola which is very
dense, hard wood.
Those pipes are probably gonnarun you anywhere between 1500
and $2,000, depending on howmuch ornamentation you put on
(10:26):
the pipes The bling doesn't make'em play any better.
It just makes 'em pretty, it'snice to play a pretty set of
pipes.
But it's the piper that makes'em sound great.
Not the ornamentation that's onthe bagpipe,
Mike Roth (10:36):
Do people ever sell them used Yes.
Can you find 'em Up on eBay?
John Mistler (10:39):
Usually when you get a used set of pipes, you
have to replace some things likethe bag itself.
Mike Roth (10:43):
Because
John Mistler (10:43):
you don't want whoever's cooties are in that
bag to infect you when you startplaying them.
And maybe the mouthpiece thatyou put your mouth on, things
like that would have to bereplaced, which would bring the
cost up of a used set ofbagpipes closer to buying new.
Mike Roth (10:57):
Is that mouthpiece replaceable?
John Mistler (10:59):
I clamp it in my teeth when I'm playing.
Okay.
So I chew through 'em every nowand then, but they can be
replaced.
Mike Roth (11:04):
And tell us about the class that you're teaching.
How many sessions is it?
How long is each session?
John Mistler (11:10):
The Enrichment Academy helps us with this.
they will set up the schedule.
We have basically a spring,summer semester.
And then a fall and wintersemester.
The spring semester juststarted in April.
The summer semester, starts inJuly and goes to maybe the 11th
of September.
It's a nominal fee through theEnrichment Academy if you're
interested in starting.
(11:31):
we don't charge anything on ourend for somebody who wants to
come in a student.
We just help 'em when we can.
So
Mike Roth (11:36):
So you give them the instrument?
John Mistler (11:38):
They have to purchase their own equipment.
Mike Roth (11:40):
if they wanted to purchase what did you call that?
John Mistler (11:42):
The Practice chanter.
Mike Roth (11:43):
practice chant.
John Mistler (11:44):
If you get one that's plastic, poly pinco, it's
about a hundred dollarsinvestment for the chanter.
Mike Roth (11:49):
Book
John Mistler (11:49):
and the read that goes inside that makes the
squeaky noise.
it's around a hundred dollarsinvestment.
Sometimes you can get 'em alittle less than that, sometimes
a little bit more depends onwhat you order.
Mike Roth (11:59):
And how much is the cost
John Mistler (12:00):
it's like $25 for the semester.
Mike Roth (12:03):
And how many times
John Mistler (12:04):
We meet once a week.
Mike Roth (12:05):
Once a week
John Mistler (12:06):
At the Saddlebrook.
Rec center, which is out by thepolo fields.
Mike Roth (12:09):
Yeah.
John Mistler (12:09):
On Thursday nights, students will come in
around five o'clock and staytill maybe six the band will sit
down around the table and startpracticing whatever tunes that
they're working on, and thenpipe up after that, like maybe
six 30.
We actually, pull out thebagpipes and play the actual
instrument.
Mike Roth (12:24):
I'm confused.
You said band?
The band, What's the differencebetween the band.
John Mistler (12:28):
The students will come and they'll be one-on-one
instruction
Mike Roth (12:31):
with the student.
John Mistler (12:32):
And we'll practice whatever tune the pipe major is
trying to get us to work on andto learn.
Mike Roth (12:36):
all the members of the band at that segment are
gonna be using The practicechanter And then everyone in the
band, which is all bagpipes,
John Mistler (12:44):
And there's drummers, but they're usually
sitting on their own table,working on their own things,
like the drum scores
Mike Roth (12:49):
So that then you switch over to.
You don't take that very samecantor and put it on a bagpipe?
John Mistler (12:55):
No.
it has the same fingering aswhat's on the actual bagpipe but
it's connected to the bag andthe whole nine yards, and we'll
practice together with thepipers and the drummers
Mike Roth (13:04):
So everyone's gotta stand up when you're holding a
bagpipe.
John Mistler (13:06):
Usually.
You could play sitting down ifyou had to, most people prefer
to play standing up 'causethey're trying to run away from
the sound.
Mike Roth (13:11):
So it's every week.
John Mistler (13:13):
week.
Mike Roth (13:14):
Six months.
John Mistler (13:15):
So we're about one or two weeks into the new
semester now, so we'll continue.
And I don't think there's anybreaks this year.
Usually like in between thespring and the summer, there
might be a week that we're notout there.
But this year seems to be everyweek it goes straight through
Mike Roth (13:29):
when everyone is practicing together.
Are you practicing that indoorsor outdoors?
Really?
John Mistler (13:34):
Is quite loud in the rec center.
Mike Roth (13:36):
A lot of echo.
John Mistler (13:36):
I'm sure the poor lady that works the desk in the
lobby will attest to that, thatit's pretty loud.
Mike Roth (13:42):
She's getting a, noise canceling headset.
John Mistler (13:44):
Every now and then she opens the door and comes in
and listens.
I keep asking her, what's wrongwith But yeah it's usually fun
it's a fun night for everybody.
Mike Roth (13:51):
Good.
Let's take a short break andlisten to an Alzheimer's tip
from Dr.
Craig Curtis.
Dr. Craig Curtis (13:55):
We now know that Alzheimer's disease starts
about 20 years before thesymptoms with the buildup of a
toxic protein called amyloid.
And so scientists have been ona quest to remove amyloid to see
how it affects the disease.
The medicine that was recentlyFDA approved to slow down
(14:17):
symptoms in people withAlzheimer's disease memory
problems.
Works by removing thissubstance called amyloid out of
the brain.
And now we're attempting to usethose medicines to actually
remove amyloid before someonedevelops symptoms of Alzheimer's
disease, such as memory lossand forgetfulness.
So that's in that 20 yearperiod before the disease is
(14:41):
obvious.
That's right.
Scientists now call itAlzheimer's Pathologic change
versus Alzheimer's disease.
We're saving the termAlzheimer's disease for when
someone is actually experiencingsymptoms due to Alzheimer's
Warren (14:55):
disease.
With over 20 years ofexperience studying brain
health, Dr.
Curtis's goal is to educate thevillage's community on how to
live a longer, healthier life.
To learn more, visit hiswebsite:
craig curtis md.com, or call3 5 2 - 5 0 0 - 5 2 5 2 to
attend a free seminar.
Mike Roth (15:13):
Okay.
I'm back with John Mistler andwe're talking about bagpipes.
John, if you guys were gonna doa bagpipe concert.
Do you do something like thathere in the
John Mistler (15:23):
We get asked sometimes by The Villages
entertainment folks to do stuffat different events on the
square, like tree lightings.
Heritage Day.
St.
Patty's Day, of course.
We play at the differentsquares every year it seems to
be a different one sometimes weplay for the veterans
organizations at Veterans Parkup in Spanish Springs.
Memorial Day, veterans Day,that sort of thing.
Mike Roth (15:43):
what are the four or five most famous bagpipe songs
that you guys play?
John Mistler (15:49):
We like to play our military branch tunes and
patriotic tunes like God BlessAmerica and America the
Beautiful on the bagpipes, themost recognizable tune is
probably Amazing, Grace.
You play that a lot atfunerals.
And such.
And then the other most popularsong probably is called
Scotland The Brave.
It's when everybody has heardbefore it used to be the theme
for, old Spice, That's Scotlandbrave.
Mike Roth (16:17):
Okay.
John Mistler (16:18):
And on St.
Patty's Day we changed that to,the Irishman's toaster because,
I don't wanna say anything.
It's a Scottish tune that we'replaying on St.
Patty's dad.
We, that's a joke.
Most people are like very coolabout all that.
But then there are people thatdon't like the Irish tunes and
there's people that don't likethe Scottish And they'll tell
you the ones that have opinionsthat are that strong, they'll
tell you, don't play that Irishstuff.
Okay.
Mike Roth (16:39):
A lot of us Don't know the difference.
John Mistler (16:41):
It all sounds like screaming cats, don't call the
SPCA.
Cats are being harmed.
Mike Roth (16:45):
When I was in the rotary in Cincinnati we had a
police appreciation day, and italways started with the
Cincinnati police forces bagpipeband.
Marching in playing the pipes.
Going up on stage doing anumber.
John Mistler (16:59):
Yeah.
Mike Roth (16:59):
So that was real
John Mistler (17:00):
There's something about it that makes the hair on
my neck stand up.
Mike Roth (17:03):
The hair on net, the sound
John Mistler (17:04):
Of the pipes.
It's inspiring for me.
Now, other people, maybe not somuch, but for me that's
inspiring.
years ago when I was afirefighter in Atlantic City,
New Jersey You get transferredaround different stations.
I got transferred into astation where there was a fellow
that was learning to play.
he approached me and said wouldyou like to learn?
I said I've always liked it.
Never thought about learningit, but I'll give it a go.
He started helping me along andpretty soon, a year later.
(17:29):
I was up on the bagpipesactually playing.
we had two guys on the firedepartment in Atlantic City that
could play the pipes a littlebit, So we said two people makes
a band, what are we gonna callourselves?
he came up with the nameSandpipers.
'cause we were on the beach,like the little wee birdie
Mike Roth (17:42):
Little bird.
John Mistler (17:42):
the, so we just changed from one long world to
two words, Sand and Pipers.
We separated and that band now.
They expand and contract.
Over the years we get more andmore pipers and guys leave it
was up to 19 or 20 pipers at thetime and maybe 10 to 15
drummers when I left New Jersey.
And that was four years ago.
Yeah, there.
We had very successful group.
(18:03):
Great guys.
Mike Roth (18:04):
Do women ever learn to play the bagpipes?
John Mistler (18:06):
I would never discourage a woman, 'cause women
usually have very greatdexterity in their fingers.
And some of the best pipers inthe world are female pipers.
So yeah, I would neverdiscourage a lady from picking
it up.
Now it does take a bit ofphysical effort, to.
Hold it, balance it, squeezeit.
The pressure, blow the air intoit.
It does take some physicaleffort, but it's not something
that you can't be, accomplished.
(18:27):
If you're a female, justpractice,
Mike Roth (18:29):
So here are The Villages.
Are there any female pipers?
Yes,
John Mistler (18:32):
We have a couple.
One was with us and then sheleft recently.
We have another that's, asnowbird that comes back and
forth.
Lori, I think her name is soshe's a female piper.
I used to play with a band downin Mount Dora that has a couple
very good female pipers in theband.
Mike Roth (18:47):
Are there any local or national band competitions in
bag piping?
John Mistler (18:51):
Funny you asked that.
when I was going down to playwith the band in Mount Dora, the
reason was they had acompetition group and they would
enter.
local competitions in Florida,sometimes outside the state,
maybe like in Georgia andthey've gotten to be pretty
good.
The last competition theyentered this year they've been
having a good year.
They've been becoming in firstplace a lot in the grade level
that they compete in.
(19:12):
in band competitions, there'sgrade levels from five up to
one, five being.
The least accomplished, Gradeone being the most accomplished.
there's a band down in Dunedinthat was grade one slash grade
two.
They go back and forth betweenthe top levels, they're
fantastic players and they gotyoung kids that go to school
there in Dunedin that play thepipes.
(19:32):
It's a feeder program thatfeeds into the big band.
There were always toughcompetition, these kids.
you walk in and there's a12-year-old kid ripping through
these tunes and it soundsterrific, but they got young
fingers and empty sponges for abrain.
I like to say my sponge ispretty full.
Mike Roth (19:46):
It's true that children learn faster.
John Mistler (19:48):
They do it.
when I was in New Jersey, I gota phone call from, the mother
of a youngster that wasinterested in learning to play.
he was about 12 years old atthe time, this was around
Christmas.
she told me that her son hadbeen teaching himself how to
play the bagpipe since thesummer.
And that's usually not such agood thing.
'cause you pick up bad habitsand it's hard to break a habit,
I told her to bring him in andI'd be happy to help him out,
(20:11):
This young fellow comes walkingin, handsome young boy with a
cap on, with a little badge onthe side.
He couldn't look anymoreScottish, but he was Italian.
His last name was Voda,V-O-T-T-A.
And I say to him do you haveyour practice Chanter?
Let's see how you're doing.
I'd like to listen to you andsee, if I can help you.
And he says I do, but I can'tfind my read that goes in the
thing.
And I'm thinking.
12-year-old kid, but he cameout with a big case.
(20:33):
What's in the case?
He said, my bagpipes.
I said, you already got yourbagpipes?
He goes, yeah, can you playthem?
He says, yeah.
Okay.
Let's see what you got to take'em out, pull 'em, put 'em
together.
He fired up and started playingsome songs.
My jaw hit the floor.
His musicality was right on themoney.
He was just a natural.
The only thing he didn't do isthere's traditional ways of
playing some of the,embellishments on our
(20:55):
instrument, He was making up hisembellishments 'cause he heard
it on the recording somewhere.
That sounded similar.
So I said listen, I just gottatake you back to the beginning
to show you the traditional wayto do these embellishments.
And this kid has just takenoff.
We would come back every weekto practice.
Not only had he learned what Ishowed him the week before, then
(21:15):
some we'd be circled up playinga tune.
as a group on the pipes anddrums, and somebody would be
playing harmony to the song.
and I'm looking and it's thekid.
I finally said to him, listenJoe, I gotta find you another
instructor, a high levelinstructor.
'Cause you've got a hugeupside.
I'm just gonna ruin you if Ikeep working with you.
So I found him a fella in thenorth of New Jersey.
Who played with a band calledScottish Power, a world class
(21:38):
band.
this guy took Joe and got himgoing into competitions and
every competition he wouldenter, he would win First place.
Now he's competing at gradeone, the top level.
Mike Roth (21:47):
Wow.
John Mistler (21:48):
He's 25 now.
He's like a real stud.
Mike Roth (21:50):
How much does a set of bagpipes weigh.
John Mistler (21:53):
I never put mine on the scale.
I'd have to say four or fivepounds maybe.
Mike Roth (21:57):
These three pipes are held together with rope.
John Mistler (22:00):
It's called a cord.
they're held together, so theystay in a specific position so
that when they're in tune, itcreates a umbrella of sound,
that you're trying to achieve,if they're tuned correctly.
Mike Roth (22:12):
And the bag Pipers own more than one bagpipe.
John Mistler (22:16):
I do.
But not everyone, I bought asecond set not long ago Our pipe
major only because I need mineto be repaired.
For some reason it goes off tothe shop.
I'd have something to play as abackup, but I haven't really
played 'em that often, to behonest they've been sitting in
the
Mike Roth (22:30):
So there's such a thing as a bagpipe repair shop.
John Mistler (22:33):
Yeah there's pipe makers, believe it or not.
when I was living in NewJersey, there was a fella in
Toms River, Who was a bagpipemaker.
And he was also a silversmithfor Tiffany.
So he did all the fancy blingthat's on the pipes and stuff
like that.
I went and saw him and orderedmy pipes through him.
He has now relocated to SouthCarolina, so if my pipes need
repair, closer.
(22:55):
They're gonna go to SouthCarolina.
Mike Roth (22:56):
So when someone joins they have to buy a uniform.
John Mistler (22:59):
Yeah.
That's many of the bands upnorth, the bigger bands will
supply a lot of the uniforms.
Sounds of Scotland will supplysome of the uniform parts, like
your shirt.
The socks you wear, it's calledhose But the kilt itself is
your room.
So if they decide to leave theband, you don't have to chase
'em down for their kilt,
Mike Roth (23:14):
And the bling that people wear in the band, is that
band specific or is that eachguy or a lady in the band picks
out their own bling?
John Mistler (23:23):
If you're in a band, you wanna look uniform
with all the other players.
Now there are days like St.
Patty's Day that people willwear beads and fun stuff, but as
a rule, we try to keep.
Everybody looking the same to,look like a unit,
Mike Roth (23:39):
what's the most unusual song you've played on
the bagpipe?
John Mistler (23:42):
Oh I've played Puck Be's Cannon in d Working on
a Na Osborne set, with a crazytrain and a couple other tunes.
Mike Roth (23:51):
Obviously.
John Mistler (23:51):
There is traditional music for the
bagpipe.
It's called pra.
It means great music.
It was written many years ago.
Usually as a way ofcommunicating with the clan,
They wrote songs about battlesor somebody's passing, like a
lament It's like a meditationfor me.
It's not really melodic, it'slike a series of notes.
most people.
(24:12):
Don't care for it, Pipers do.
Oddly enough.
Mike Roth (24:16):
Can people actually learn how to play the pipes on
YouTube?
John Mistler (24:19):
I don't see why not.
It depends on how much time youput in, It's all about your
practice time.
If you can do 15 to 20 minutesa day every day, you'll get it.
Mike Roth (24:29):
So you brought along the electric?
Yeah.
Does that have a sound thatpeople can hear Yeah, actually I
have to plug it into earphones.
John Mistler (24:35):
I have earphones for it 'cause I'm practicing on
my own.
But I also have a little weeremote speaker that I can plug
into the thing.
Just happen to have it in mypocket.
That was Scotland the brave.
Mike Roth (25:04):
You don't have to blow into that electronic one.
John Mistler (25:06):
That's what's great about this thing because
you can practice all day longand you never get stupid lipped.
Mike Roth (25:10):
I play the Same thing on the air one.
We actually have to blow intoit.
Yes.
Because that.
that's a fantastic little, Toy.
John Mistler (25:17):
And it comes with a metronome built in.
So if you're practicing you canlisten to the click and, get
your timing down
Mike Roth (25:21):
And there's no air on that.
John Mistler (25:23):
No.
It's just all electric.
this particular one is made inGermany,
Mike Roth (25:26):
A digger.
So it's got two sensors on thebackside.
Is that the same as the twoholes on the backside of the
cantor?
John Mistler (25:33):
There's only one hole on that one.
The second sensor on the backis the on-off switch, so that's
why I can flip it on, flip itoff quick, okay.
But yeah, other than that, it'sset up the same fingering
spacing idea as on the actual
Mike Roth (25:46):
Okay.
Let's see what the actualinstrument will do with it.
John Mistler (25:48):
Alright.
Mike Roth (25:48):
Don't know if we'll put 'em into the final
recording,
John Mistler (25:51):
Any requests?
Do you wanna hear a particulartune?
Mike Roth (25:54):
Frank Sinatra's, New York.
John Mistler (25:55):
I don't have that don't have that one, Amazing
Grace?
Mike Roth (25:57):
Amazing Grace is good.
Everyone's to hear that.
John Mistler (26:42):
Those notes that are in the music.
I'm not just playing melody.
Some of them are like bubblysounding Those are called
embellishments, and that's someof the technique that you need
to learn as you grow in your.
Education of playing the actualinstrument.
Mike Roth (26:56):
So John, if someone wants to learn more about your
course and get ahold of you, howdo they do that?
John Mistler (27:01):
The easiest way to get ahold of me personally is
via my email.
It would be J-M-I-S-T, first,four letters of my last name,1 1
0 0 @ Comcast.Net.
Mike Roth (27:15):
Hey, thanks for joining us today,
John Mistler (27:17):
Mike, it was my pleasure.
Thank you.
Mike Roth (27:18):
Great.
Emily (27:19):
Remember, our next episode will be released next
Friday at 9:00 AM.
Should you wanna become a majorsupporter of the show or have
questions, please contact us atmike@rothvoice.com.
This is a shout out forsupporters: Tweet Coleman, Ed
Williams, Duane Roemmich, PaulSorgen and Dr.
Craig Curtis at K 2 in TheVillages.
(27:41):
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Curtis with short Alzheimer'stips each week.
If you know someone who shouldbe on the show, contact us at
mike@rothvoice.com.
The way our show grows is withyour help.
Text your friends about thisshow.
If you enjoyed listening orjust tell your friends about the
show.
We thank everyone for listeningto the show.
(28:02):
The content of the show iscopyrighted by Roth Voice 2025,
all rights reserved.
Welcome to the Open Forum in The Villages, Florida.
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To get perspectives of what ishappening here in The Villages
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This is Mike Roth.
Listeners, I'm thrilled toshare with you this podcast,
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Be sure to hit the followbutton to get the newest episode
(00:48):
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Stay curious, stay inspired,and keep those headphones on.
I hope everyone enjoys today'sshow.
/This is Mike Roth on OpenForum in The Villages, Florida.
I'm here today with JohnMisler.
John, thanks for joining me.
John Mistler (01:46):
Thank you.
Mike Roth (01:47):
John and I met when we were getting ready for an
Enrichment Academy trade show.
John Mistler (01:51):
Sitting at my weed table and you came rolling by.
Mike Roth (01:53):
That's right.
I stopped when I noticed thatJohn was carrying a set of
bagpipes.
John Mistler (01:59):
You don't see that every day, do you?
Mike Roth (02:00):
No.
You don't see that every day.
Did the Enrichment Academyactually have a course in how to
play the bagpipes?
John Mistler (02:06):
And the answer to that is yes.
I'm a member of the localvillage's bagpipe band called
The Sounds of Scotland Pipes andDrums.
And I am one of theirinstructors.
We have three or four guysthat'll help people out.
And recently our leadinstructor was having some
health issues and he needed totake a little break And they
asked somebody to volunteer andeverybody stepped back and left
me standing up.
It turned out to be me.
Mike Roth (02:27):
How long have you been playing the bagpipes?
John Mistler (02:30):
Probably around 1999, 2000 is when I first
picked up the practice chanter,which is how you begin to learn
to play.
Mike Roth (02:37):
A practice Chanter, tell everyone what that is.
John Mistler (02:39):
Yeah.
It's a small musical instrumentthat has the same configuration
of the actual bagpipe.
And you learn the play on thatinstrument and learn the
fingering technique That youwill eventually transfer over to
the actual highland bagpipethat we play normally.
Mike Roth (02:55):
Okay.
John Mistler (02:55):
it sounds like it's similar to a recorder young
kids play in school.
Mike Roth (02:58):
Is that what you brought
John Mistler (02:59):
I brought one my practice chancer and an electric
bagpipe with me, just in caseyou wanted to demonstrate any of
the sounds that come outwithout blowing up the actual
instrument.
Mike Roth (03:08):
Sure.
Let's hear what the, beginnerstool sounds like Okay.
John Mistler (03:11):
It's, similar to a recorder where you blow into
this one.
And there's a reed inside theinstrument creates a buzz.
And you play the notes of thebagpipe.
For instance, there's only ninenotes on the instrument of the
bagpipe.
Mike Roth (03:26):
Only
John Mistler (03:26):
Nine notes.
Mike Roth (03:27):
Demonstrate.
we've got 10 fingers, so
John Mistler (03:28):
There's one that doesn't get used.
one is ignored.
So I'm gonna play the scale ofthe bagpipe right now.
And that's what it is.
you learn how to hold it, howyour fingers work on it, there's
a technique that you want atraditional way of doing it.
We try not to use ourfingertips You use more of the
(03:50):
middle parts of your finger,
Mike Roth (03:51):
the middle parts of your finger.
John Mistler (03:53):
Which covers the bottom holes on the right hand
holes.
The top holes is closer to thefingertips, It's just an
interesting technique.
Most people pick it up and tryplaying it with their
fingertips, which I guess can bedone.
But it's not the traditionalway of playing it.
your instructor will probablytry to break you of that habit.
Get you back, straighteningyour fingers out a bit.
Mike Roth (04:10):
Okay.
I guess that's the way itlooks, when you?
John Mistler (04:13):
Yes.
It's the way it looks andthere's reasons for it.
I was taught that way.
I try to teach students the wayI was taught.
Mike Roth (04:19):
how long ago was the bagpipes invented?
John Mistler (04:22):
Everybody thinks the bagpipes from Scotland or
they're from Ireland.
Mike Roth (04:25):
That's right.
I think about 'em,
John Mistler (04:26):
They're from northern Africa, actually.
Mike Roth (04:28):
Northern Africa.
John Mistler (04:29):
Back in the days where they were, tending to
herds of sheep Trying to occupytheir time, they played an
instrument that had a bag, ablow stick, and.
A chanter that created thenotes, the melody.
when the Romans conqueredeverybody, and then went back
into Europe, they carried thisinstrument with 'em.
Depending on where it went.
In Europe, it evolved into aslightly different instrument
(04:51):
different areas.
Scotland is the one we are usedto seeing with the three drones
that go over the
Mike Roth (04:55):
But the bag of air,
John Mistler (04:56):
bag of air is similar in all the instruments.
Mike Roth (04:58):
There are instruments all over Europe with bags of
air.
John Mistler (05:01):
Yeah.
there's a glacier area of Spainhas a really awesome
instrument.
I love the way it sounds.
Germany, has one of courseScotland Yeah.
All over the place.
There's slightly differentlooking and slightly different
sounding.
They have the chanter, the partthat makes the melody keyed
differently.
In different areas.
What they liked, however, theyliked the sound
Mike Roth (05:22):
Did the other instruments also have the three
pipes out of the bag
John Mistler (05:25):
Not all the Irish had an instrument they called
the war pipe, so it only had twodrones out over the shoulder
where the Scottish had three.
The other instruments, likeGermany has three, I think on
their drones and Spain, GalatiaSpain has three, but they don't
lay over your shoulder.
They kinda lay across thechest.
Just, slightly differentinstruments
Mike Roth (05:42):
As a bagpipe player, can you turn the drones on or
off, or are they always on?
John Mistler (05:46):
They're always on.
If you're playing correctly theinstrument itself has four
reads in it that you're playingat the same time.
There's one in each one of thedrones that go over your
shoulder and there's one thatcomes out that plays the melody.
Mike Roth (05:58):
Yeah.
And It's always the same noteon all the bagpipes for those
three drones.
John Mistler (06:01):
The Scottish Highland bagpipe has two tenor
drones, two shorter ones.
And one base drone.
The long one has a base sound,and it should create a chord if
they're tuned properly, whichalso creates a chord with the
notes that you're playing out ofthe chanter.
If you hear a well tuned.
Good bagpiper.
It's really beautiful music,people who hate the bagpipes
(06:24):
have probably heard them playoutta tune, and maybe by not
such a good player.
So getting back to the actualinstrument it's one that takes
time to learn.
For me, everybody's different,but my rule of thumb is for an
adult learner, it's about a yearto learn to play.
So yeah, the average adultlearner takes about a year.
So you're on this practiceinstrument.
(06:44):
My rule of thumb is if you canmemorize 10 tunes that you can
play on your practiceinstrument, then it's time to
look into the actual bagpipe.
cause that's learning all overagain.
Now you have to balance thething.
Fill up the bag with the air.
Blow the appropriate amount ofpressure into the bag, And
create sound that's pleasant.
Mike Roth (07:03):
So when you're finished playing a song, is
there a valve that you turn toget the air out of the bag?
John Mistler (07:08):
You release your arm off of the bag quickly.
And the pressure goes away.
The reeds stop vibrating.
Mike Roth (07:15):
Ah, okay.
John Mistler (07:16):
Which is a technique that you need to learn
when you're learning to playthe pipes.
Mike Roth (07:20):
What's the first song you teach people?
John Mistler (07:22):
We try to keep things pretty simple.
There's one of the tunes inmost of the bagpipe books that
you learn on.
It's called Scott's Hay whichis written by Robbie Burns, I
believe.
I don't know if he wrote theactual music, but he put the
words to it Back in the 17hundreds.
So it's a fairly simple song toplay and it's one of the first
ones we teach then, we move on.
(07:44):
There's a couple ofprogressions that you try to do
with the pipes where you'relearning more and more of the
technique Of the instrument andnotations.
then we get you on AmazingGrace once you can play Amazing
Grace, you're hooked.
We're gonna put you in the livewell 'cause you're gonna keep
going.
everybody wants to play AmazingGrace.
Mike Roth (08:00):
How many notes are there in Amazing Grace,
John Mistler (08:03):
I never counted, but there's nine.
Mike Roth (08:04):
If It's more than nine.
John Mistler (08:06):
it's not on the bagpipe.
Mike Roth (08:07):
Yeah.
So you cut all the songs downto nine notes basically.
John Mistler (08:10):
And that's one of the challenges of the instrument
because, it's a very oldinstrument.
And the music for the bagpipeis quite old, and what we play
today is considered the lightmusic.
So sometimes you have to adaptthe arrangement to fit the range
of the bagpipe.
So you may be listening to atune that you're familiar with
and it just doesn't sound likeit went to the right note.
(08:31):
It might be because he had todrop the octave, Because we
don't have that note on thebagpipe.
Mike Roth (08:36):
There's no way to Move up an octave.
John Mistler (08:38):
No, not on this particular instrument Now there
are other instruments that arebagpipes that have keys like a
clarinet and they have a largerrange of notes that you can
play.
But not on this kind.
It's a very old, ancientinstrument that's played the
same way as it was played manyyears ago, only with newer
material that they make thepipes out of in their reeds and
things.
Mike Roth (08:58):
You're teaching, a course.
In the Enrichment academ.
Yes.
This is not the first timeyou've taught it.
John Mistler (09:03):
It is for me 'cause I'm fairly new to the
band.
But I've taught others back inNew Jersey where I learned how
to play.
Over the years I had my owngroup of students that would
come and go,
Mike Roth (09:13):
How many players do we have in the bagpipe Band here
in The Villages?
John Mistler (09:17):
I think if we have a good turnout, we'll probably
get 12 or 13 Pipers.
Another eight.
Or so drummers to have the fullcompliment.
Mike Roth (09:26):
And when should someone figure that they're
gonna need to buy a set ofbagpipes?
John Mistler (09:31):
When you've been practicing on this practice
chanter my rule of thumb is youcan play eight or 10 tunes while
you're watching the news andgetting distracted.
it's time to start.
On the real instrument.
Start hunting for the realbagpipes and start learning how
to play that thing.
'cause it's like wrestling anoctopus in the beginning 'cause
it's just very awkward feeling.
Up on your shoulder.
(09:52):
You don't know how to tip your,body to keep it from falling
off and blowing hard enough tomake the reeds play.
It takes a bit.
Mike Roth (09:59):
And What a set of bagpipes cost?
John Mistler (10:02):
They do make bagpipes now that are completely
made out of plastic, which iscalled poly panco.
you can probably get a set ofthose in the $900 range.
Traditionally the bagpipes aremade of wood.
usually African blackwood ormaybe coca bola which is very
dense, hard wood.
Those pipes are probably gonnarun you anywhere between 1500
and $2,000, depending on howmuch ornamentation you put on
(10:26):
the pipes The bling doesn't make'em play any better.
It just makes 'em pretty, it'snice to play a pretty set of
pipes.
But it's the piper that makes'em sound great.
Not the ornamentation that's onthe bagpipe,
Mike Roth (10:36):
Do people ever sell them used Yes.
Can you find 'em Up on eBay?
John Mistler (10:39):
Usually when you get a used set of pipes, you
have to replace some things likethe bag itself.
Mike Roth (10:43):
Because
John Mistler (10:43):
you don't want whoever's cooties are in that
bag to infect you when you startplaying them.
And maybe the mouthpiece thatyou put your mouth on, things
like that would have to bereplaced, which would bring the
cost up of a used set ofbagpipes closer to buying new.
Mike Roth (10:57):
Is that mouthpiece replaceable?
John Mistler (10:59):
I clamp it in my teeth when I'm playing.
Okay.
So I chew through 'em every nowand then, but they can be
replaced.
Mike Roth (11:04):
And tell us about the class that you're teaching.
How many sessions is it?
How long is each session?
John Mistler (11:10):
The Enrichment Academy helps us with this.
they will set up the schedule.
We have basically a spring,summer semester.
And then a fall and wintersemester.
The spring semester juststarted in April.
The summer semester, starts inJuly and goes to maybe the 11th
of September.
It's a nominal fee through theEnrichment Academy if you're
interested in starting.
(11:31):
we don't charge anything on ourend for somebody who wants to
come in a student.
We just help 'em when we can.
So
Mike Roth (11:36):
So you give them the instrument?
John Mistler (11:38):
They have to purchase their own equipment.
Mike Roth (11:40):
if they wanted to purchase what did you call that?
John Mistler (11:42):
The Practice chanter.
Mike Roth (11:43):
practice chant.
John Mistler (11:44):
If you get one that's plastic, poly pinco, it's
about a hundred dollarsinvestment for the chanter.
Mike Roth (11:49):
Book
John Mistler (11:49):
and the read that goes inside that makes the
squeaky noise.
it's around a hundred dollarsinvestment.
Sometimes you can get 'em alittle less than that, sometimes
a little bit more depends onwhat you order.
Mike Roth (11:59):
And how much is the cost
John Mistler (12:00):
it's like $25 for the semester.
Mike Roth (12:03):
And how many times
John Mistler (12:04):
We meet once a week.
Mike Roth (12:05):
Once a week
John Mistler (12:06):
At the Saddlebrook.
Rec center, which is out by thepolo fields.
Mike Roth (12:09):
Yeah.
John Mistler (12:09):
On Thursday nights, students will come in
around five o'clock and staytill maybe six the band will sit
down around the table and startpracticing whatever tunes that
they're working on, and thenpipe up after that, like maybe
six 30.
We actually, pull out thebagpipes and play the actual
instrument.
Mike Roth (12:24):
I'm confused.
You said band?
The band, What's the differencebetween the band.
John Mistler (12:28):
The students will come and they'll be one-on-one
instruction
Mike Roth (12:31):
with the student.
John Mistler (12:32):
And we'll practice whatever tune the pipe major is
trying to get us to work on andto learn.
Mike Roth (12:36):
all the members of the band at that segment are
gonna be using The practicechanter And then everyone in the
band, which is all bagpipes,
John Mistler (12:44):
And there's drummers, but they're usually
sitting on their own table,working on their own things,
like the drum scores
Mike Roth (12:49):
So that then you switch over to.
You don't take that very samecantor and put it on a bagpipe?
John Mistler (12:55):
No.
it has the same fingering aswhat's on the actual bagpipe but
it's connected to the bag andthe whole nine yards, and we'll
practice together with thepipers and the drummers
Mike Roth (13:04):
So everyone's gotta stand up when you're holding a
bagpipe.
John Mistler (13:06):
Usually.
You could play sitting down ifyou had to, most people prefer
to play standing up 'causethey're trying to run away from
the sound.
Mike Roth (13:11):
So it's every week.
John Mistler (13:13):
week.
Mike Roth (13:14):
Six months.
John Mistler (13:15):
So we're about one or two weeks into the new
semester now, so we'll continue.
And I don't think there's anybreaks this year.
Usually like in between thespring and the summer, there
might be a week that we're notout there.
But this year seems to be everyweek it goes straight through
Mike Roth (13:29):
when everyone is practicing together.
Are you practicing that indoorsor outdoors?
Really?
John Mistler (13:34):
Is quite loud in the rec center.
Mike Roth (13:36):
A lot of echo.
John Mistler (13:36):
I'm sure the poor lady that works the desk in the
lobby will attest to that, thatit's pretty loud.
Mike Roth (13:42):
She's getting a, noise canceling headset.
John Mistler (13:44):
Every now and then she opens the door and comes in
and listens.
I keep asking her, what's wrongwith But yeah it's usually fun
it's a fun night for everybody.
Mike Roth (13:51):
Good.
Let's take a short break andlisten to an Alzheimer's tip
from Dr.
Craig Curtis.
Dr. Craig Curtis (13:55):
We now know that Alzheimer's disease starts
about 20 years before thesymptoms with the buildup of a
toxic protein called amyloid.
And so scientists have been ona quest to remove amyloid to see
how it affects the disease.
The medicine that was recentlyFDA approved to slow down
(14:17):
symptoms in people withAlzheimer's disease memory
problems.
Works by removing thissubstance called amyloid out of
the brain.
And now we're attempting to usethose medicines to actually
remove amyloid before someonedevelops symptoms of Alzheimer's
disease, such as memory lossand forgetfulness.
So that's in that 20 yearperiod before the disease is
(14:41):
obvious.
That's right.
Scientists now call itAlzheimer's Pathologic change
versus Alzheimer's disease.
We're saving the termAlzheimer's disease for when
someone is actually experiencingsymptoms due to Alzheimer's
Warren (14:55):
disease.
With over 20 years ofexperience studying brain
health, Dr.
Curtis's goal is to educate thevillage's community on how to
live a longer, healthier life.
To learn more, visit hiswebsite:
craig curtis md.com, or call3 5 2 - 5 0 0 - 5 2 5 2 to
attend a free seminar.
Mike Roth (15:13):
Okay.
I'm back with John Mistler andwe're talking about bagpipes.
John, if you guys were gonna doa bagpipe concert.
Do you do something like thathere in the
John Mistler (15:23):
We get asked sometimes by The Villages
entertainment folks to do stuffat different events on the
square, like tree lightings.
Heritage Day.
St.
Patty's Day, of course.
We play at the differentsquares every year it seems to
be a different one sometimes weplay for the veterans
organizations at Veterans Parkup in Spanish Springs.
Memorial Day, veterans Day,that sort of thing.
Mike Roth (15:43):
what are the four or five most famous bagpipe songs
that you guys play?
John Mistler (15:49):
We like to play our military branch tunes and
patriotic tunes like God BlessAmerica and America the
Beautiful on the bagpipes, themost recognizable tune is
probably Amazing, Grace.
You play that a lot atfunerals.
And such.
And then the other most popularsong probably is called
Scotland The Brave.
It's when everybody has heardbefore it used to be the theme
for, old Spice, That's Scotlandbrave.
Mike Roth (16:17):
Okay.
John Mistler (16:18):
And on St.
Patty's Day we changed that to,the Irishman's toaster because,
I don't wanna say anything.
It's a Scottish tune that we'replaying on St.
Patty's dad.
We, that's a joke.
Most people are like very coolabout all that.
But then there are people thatdon't like the Irish tunes and
there's people that don't likethe Scottish And they'll tell
you the ones that have opinionsthat are that strong, they'll
tell you, don't play that Irishstuff.
Okay.
Mike Roth (16:39):
A lot of us Don't know the difference.
John Mistler (16:41):
It all sounds like screaming cats, don't call the
SPCA.
Cats are being harmed.
Mike Roth (16:45):
When I was in the rotary in Cincinnati we had a
police appreciation day, and italways started with the
Cincinnati police forces bagpipeband.
Marching in playing the pipes.
Going up on stage doing anumber.
John Mistler (16:59):
Yeah.
Mike Roth (16:59):
So that was real
John Mistler (17:00):
There's something about it that makes the hair on
my neck stand up.
Mike Roth (17:03):
The hair on net, the sound
John Mistler (17:04):
Of the pipes.
It's inspiring for me.
Now, other people, maybe not somuch, but for me that's
inspiring.
years ago when I was afirefighter in Atlantic City,
New Jersey You get transferredaround different stations.
I got transferred into astation where there was a fellow
that was learning to play.
he approached me and said wouldyou like to learn?
I said I've always liked it.
Never thought about learningit, but I'll give it a go.
He started helping me along andpretty soon, a year later.
(17:29):
I was up on the bagpipesactually playing.
we had two guys on the firedepartment in Atlantic City that
could play the pipes a littlebit, So we said two people makes
a band, what are we gonna callourselves?
he came up with the nameSandpipers.
'cause we were on the beach,like the little wee birdie
Mike Roth (17:42):
Little bird.
John Mistler (17:42):
the, so we just changed from one long world to
two words, Sand and Pipers.
We separated and that band now.
They expand and contract.
Over the years we get more andmore pipers and guys leave it
was up to 19 or 20 pipers at thetime and maybe 10 to 15
drummers when I left New Jersey.
And that was four years ago.
Yeah, there.
We had very successful group.
(18:03):
Great guys.
Mike Roth (18:04):
Do women ever learn to play the bagpipes?
John Mistler (18:06):
I would never discourage a woman, 'cause women
usually have very greatdexterity in their fingers.
And some of the best pipers inthe world are female pipers.
So yeah, I would neverdiscourage a lady from picking
it up.
Now it does take a bit ofphysical effort, to.
Hold it, balance it, squeezeit.
The pressure, blow the air intoit.
It does take some physicaleffort, but it's not something
that you can't be, accomplished.
(18:27):
If you're a female, justpractice,
Mike Roth (18:29):
So here are The Villages.
Are there any female pipers?
Yes,
John Mistler (18:32):
We have a couple.
One was with us and then sheleft recently.
We have another that's, asnowbird that comes back and
forth.
Lori, I think her name is soshe's a female piper.
I used to play with a band downin Mount Dora that has a couple
very good female pipers in theband.
Mike Roth (18:47):
Are there any local or national band competitions in
bag piping?
John Mistler (18:51):
Funny you asked that.
when I was going down to playwith the band in Mount Dora, the
reason was they had acompetition group and they would
enter.
local competitions in Florida,sometimes outside the state,
maybe like in Georgia andthey've gotten to be pretty
good.
The last competition theyentered this year they've been
having a good year.
They've been becoming in firstplace a lot in the grade level
that they compete in.
(19:12):
in band competitions, there'sgrade levels from five up to
one, five being.
The least accomplished, Gradeone being the most accomplished.
there's a band down in Dunedinthat was grade one slash grade
two.
They go back and forth betweenthe top levels, they're
fantastic players and they gotyoung kids that go to school
there in Dunedin that play thepipes.
(19:32):
It's a feeder program thatfeeds into the big band.
There were always toughcompetition, these kids.
you walk in and there's a12-year-old kid ripping through
these tunes and it soundsterrific, but they got young
fingers and empty sponges for abrain.
I like to say my sponge ispretty full.
Mike Roth (19:46):
It's true that children learn faster.
John Mistler (19:48):
They do it.
when I was in New Jersey, I gota phone call from, the mother
of a youngster that wasinterested in learning to play.
he was about 12 years old atthe time, this was around
Christmas.
she told me that her son hadbeen teaching himself how to
play the bagpipe since thesummer.
And that's usually not such agood thing.
'cause you pick up bad habitsand it's hard to break a habit,
I told her to bring him in andI'd be happy to help him out,
(20:11):
This young fellow comes walkingin, handsome young boy with a
cap on, with a little badge onthe side.
He couldn't look anymoreScottish, but he was Italian.
His last name was Voda,V-O-T-T-A.
And I say to him do you haveyour practice Chanter?
Let's see how you're doing.
I'd like to listen to you andsee, if I can help you.
And he says I do, but I can'tfind my read that goes in the
thing.
And I'm thinking.
12-year-old kid, but he cameout with a big case.
(20:33):
What's in the case?
He said, my bagpipes.
I said, you already got yourbagpipes?
He goes, yeah, can you playthem?
He says, yeah.
Okay.
Let's see what you got to take'em out, pull 'em, put 'em
together.
He fired up and started playingsome songs.
My jaw hit the floor.
His musicality was right on themoney.
He was just a natural.
The only thing he didn't do isthere's traditional ways of
playing some of the,embellishments on our
(20:55):
instrument, He was making up hisembellishments 'cause he heard
it on the recording somewhere.
That sounded similar.
So I said listen, I just gottatake you back to the beginning
to show you the traditional wayto do these embellishments.
And this kid has just takenoff.
We would come back every weekto practice.
Not only had he learned what Ishowed him the week before, then
(21:15):
some we'd be circled up playinga tune.
as a group on the pipes anddrums, and somebody would be
playing harmony to the song.
and I'm looking and it's thekid.
I finally said to him, listenJoe, I gotta find you another
instructor, a high levelinstructor.
'Cause you've got a hugeupside.
I'm just gonna ruin you if Ikeep working with you.
So I found him a fella in thenorth of New Jersey.
Who played with a band calledScottish Power, a world class
(21:38):
band.
this guy took Joe and got himgoing into competitions and
every competition he wouldenter, he would win First place.
Now he's competing at gradeone, the top level.
Mike Roth (21:47):
Wow.
John Mistler (21:48):
He's 25 now.
He's like a real stud.
Mike Roth (21:50):
How much does a set of bagpipes weigh.
John Mistler (21:53):
I never put mine on the scale.
I'd have to say four or fivepounds maybe.
Mike Roth (21:57):
These three pipes are held together with rope.
John Mistler (22:00):
It's called a cord.
they're held together, so theystay in a specific position so
that when they're in tune, itcreates a umbrella of sound,
that you're trying to achieve,if they're tuned correctly.
Mike Roth (22:12):
And the bag Pipers own more than one bagpipe.
John Mistler (22:16):
I do.
But not everyone, I bought asecond set not long ago Our pipe
major only because I need mineto be repaired.
For some reason it goes off tothe shop.
I'd have something to play as abackup, but I haven't really
played 'em that often, to behonest they've been sitting in
the
Mike Roth (22:30):
So there's such a thing as a bagpipe repair shop.
John Mistler (22:33):
Yeah there's pipe makers, believe it or not.
when I was living in NewJersey, there was a fella in
Toms River, Who was a bagpipemaker.
And he was also a silversmithfor Tiffany.
So he did all the fancy blingthat's on the pipes and stuff
like that.
I went and saw him and orderedmy pipes through him.
He has now relocated to SouthCarolina, so if my pipes need
repair, closer.
(22:55):
They're gonna go to SouthCarolina.
Mike Roth (22:56):
So when someone joins they have to buy a uniform.
John Mistler (22:59):
Yeah.
That's many of the bands upnorth, the bigger bands will
supply a lot of the uniforms.
Sounds of Scotland will supplysome of the uniform parts, like
your shirt.
The socks you wear, it's calledhose But the kilt itself is
your room.
So if they decide to leave theband, you don't have to chase
'em down for their kilt,
Mike Roth (23:14):
And the bling that people wear in the band, is that
band specific or is that eachguy or a lady in the band picks
out their own bling?
John Mistler (23:23):
If you're in a band, you wanna look uniform
with all the other players.
Now there are days like St.
Patty's Day that people willwear beads and fun stuff, but as
a rule, we try to keep.
Everybody looking the same to,look like a unit,
Mike Roth (23:39):
what's the most unusual song you've played on
the bagpipe?
John Mistler (23:42):
Oh I've played Puck Be's Cannon in d Working on
a Na Osborne set, with a crazytrain and a couple other tunes.
Mike Roth (23:51):
Obviously.
John Mistler (23:51):
There is traditional music for the
bagpipe.
It's called pra.
It means great music.
It was written many years ago.
Usually as a way ofcommunicating with the clan,
They wrote songs about battlesor somebody's passing, like a
lament It's like a meditationfor me.
It's not really melodic, it'slike a series of notes.
most people.
(24:12):
Don't care for it, Pipers do.
Oddly enough.
Mike Roth (24:16):
Can people actually learn how to play the pipes on
YouTube?
John Mistler (24:19):
I don't see why not.
It depends on how much time youput in, It's all about your
practice time.
If you can do 15 to 20 minutesa day every day, you'll get it.
Mike Roth (24:29):
So you brought along the electric?
Yeah.
Does that have a sound thatpeople can hear Yeah, actually I
have to plug it into earphones.
John Mistler (24:35):
I have earphones for it 'cause I'm practicing on
my own.
But I also have a little weeremote speaker that I can plug
into the thing.
Just happen to have it in mypocket.
That was Scotland the brave.
Mike Roth (25:04):
You don't have to blow into that electronic one.
John Mistler (25:06):
That's what's great about this thing because
you can practice all day longand you never get stupid lipped.
Mike Roth (25:10):
I play the Same thing on the air one.
We actually have to blow intoit.
Yes.
Because that.
that's a fantastic little, Toy.
John Mistler (25:17):
And it comes with a metronome built in.
So if you're practicing you canlisten to the click and, get
your timing down
Mike Roth (25:21):
And there's no air on that.
John Mistler (25:23):
No.
It's just all electric.
this particular one is made inGermany,
Mike Roth (25:26):
A digger.
So it's got two sensors on thebackside.
Is that the same as the twoholes on the backside of the
cantor?
John Mistler (25:33):
There's only one hole on that one.
The second sensor on the backis the on-off switch, so that's
why I can flip it on, flip itoff quick, okay.
But yeah, other than that, it'sset up the same fingering
spacing idea as on the actual
Mike Roth (25:46):
Okay.
Let's see what the actualinstrument will do with it.
John Mistler (25:48):
Alright.
Mike Roth (25:48):
Don't know if we'll put 'em into the final
recording,
John Mistler (25:51):
Any requests?
Do you wanna hear a particulartune?
Mike Roth (25:54):
Frank Sinatra's, New York.
John Mistler (25:55):
I don't have that don't have that one, Amazing
Grace?
Mike Roth (25:57):
Amazing Grace is good.
Everyone's to hear that.
John Mistler (26:42):
Those notes that are in the music.
I'm not just playing melody.
Some of them are like bubblysounding Those are called
embellishments, and that's someof the technique that you need
to learn as you grow in your.
Education of playing the actualinstrument.
Mike Roth (26:56):
So John, if someone wants to learn more about your
course and get ahold of you, howdo they do that?
John Mistler (27:01):
The easiest way to get ahold of me personally is
via my email.
It would be J-M-I-S-T, first,four letters of my last name,1 1
0 0 @ Comcast.Net.
Mike Roth (27:15):
Hey, thanks for joining us today,
John Mistler (27:17):
Mike, it was my pleasure.
Thank you.
Mike Roth (27:18):
Great.
Emily (27:19):
Remember, our next episode will be released next
Friday at 9:00 AM.
Should you wanna become a majorsupporter of the show or have
questions, please contact us atmike@rothvoice.com.
This is a shout out forsupporters: Tweet Coleman, Ed
Williams, Duane Roemmich, PaulSorgen and Dr.
Craig Curtis at K 2 in TheVillages.
(27:41):
We will be hearing more fromDr.
Curtis with short Alzheimer'stips each week.
If you know someone who shouldbe on the show, contact us at
mike@rothvoice.com.
The way our show grows is withyour help.
Text your friends about thisshow.
If you enjoyed listening orjust tell your friends about the
show.
We thank everyone for listeningto the show.
(28:02):
The content of the show iscopyrighted by Roth Voice 2025,
all rights reserved.
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