With Enough Bandwidth, Many Join the Band

When Dr. John McClure, a pathologist in Edina, Minn., was pondering his wish list several years ago, he added something a little out of the ordinary: learn to play the bagpipes. But his goal seemed like a long shot after a friend who had been teaching him moved away.

Now he is getting lessons from a top-tier teacher ”” Jori Chisholm, whose résumé includes a first-place award at the 2010 Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, Scotland. Mr. Chisholm lives in Seattle, but distance is no longer a problem ”” Dr. McClure now takes lessons over Skype.

They even squeeze in a lesson sometimes when Dr. McClure, 50, is at work, though he keeps the noise down by using a practice chanter, essentially a pipe without a bag. “I’ve been on call, waiting for a specimen from the O.R., and I’ll do a lesson with Jori,” Dr. McClure said.

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, Blogging & the Internet, Music, Science & Technology

One comment on “With Enough Bandwidth, Many Join the Band

  1. APB says:

    Q. What’s the definition of a gentleman?
    A. Someone who knows how to play the bagpipe and doesn’t.

    Q: What’s the only thing worse than a bagpiper?
    A: Good question. We’re still trying to find out too.

    Many more here: http://www.ahajokes.com/bagpi.html