In this class we talk about Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber, and with some good questions, take a bit of a spin off to discuss elements of band playing and unison generation. Tune in for a fun discussion!
18 Amazing tips from Rob. Let's dive in!
Tip #1: Play your pipes a little bit, more often. (As opposed to long marathon sessions)
Tip #2: Monitor Each person's individual pipe setup and tonal quality at practice. Identify the best bagpipe and "time" how long it takes to settle in.
Tip #3: Plan and Adopt a "Band tone policy", and expect every piper to live up to it.
Tip #4: Attacks - High A Finger Off Hole during attacks (All pipers). Listen to attacks rank-by-rank.
Tip #5: Always blow warm air into bag during last few minutes of tune up, and while waiting at the line to start competing.
Tip #6: Always Play a Simple Tune when Checking Chanter-Tuning and when Tuning Drones. NEVER just a scale. Never tune drones on a constant Low A.
Tip #7: Always start playing pipes at band practice at the same time. Don't allow pipers to play their pipes on the same day as practice.
Tip #8: Look smart, play smart! Treating Uniform and Appearance as a team will help you perform as a team. (Fancy Sgian Dubh guy is not with the program)
Tip #9: When you have blown in a good chanter reed, take it out and save it as a backup reed.
Tip #10: When taking a break from playing on performance day, make sure pipes are all resting in the EXACT SAME ENVIRONMENT and in the EXACT SAME SETUP. ie - chanters in, all pipes on the same side of bus.
Tip #11: Watch and observe the top bands' setup process as they approach their competition.
Tip #12: Appoint a Bagpipe Maintenance Inspector
Tip #13: When training/practicing, play longer sets to build stamina (repeat certain tunes in sets).
Tip #14: Bag Slippage - Practice with band jacket on.
Tip #15: Record yourself playing band sets. Then adjudicate your performance and identify the weakest parts.
Tip #16: Hold extra band practices the week leading up to a competition.
Tip #17: Practice as a band on practice-chanters and pads.
Tip #18: Get practice chanters in tune.
In this session we take a look at what makes up good pipe band unison. What are the differences between the solo and pipe band dynamics? Do the fundamentals change? We also have quite an extensive Q&A on pipe band leasership. Enjoy!
In this session we take the last pre-worlds check-in on both the North Berwick and Perth Games. First we talk a bit on what to listen for then delve in to multiple medleys and MSR's from the weekend. Enjoy!
In this wrap up session we end with SLOT's win in 2010 and a look at the meteoric rise of Inverarry and District. From formation in 2004 to their first grade one major win in 2014. Enjoy!
In this session we pick up where we left off last week in 1987. We again wind our way through innovation in sound and medley construction hitting many highlights and recordings along the way. Strathclyde - the end of an era, the rise of FMM, SFU, SLOT, and many others. Come have a listen!
Marc goes through some of the awesome history of pipe bands in this class! We listen to plenty of example, and Marc offers insight as to how things have progressed over the years!
In this s ession we take a look at the main differences between solo and pipe band playing. While all the basics of playing hold true, the tempos and additional players redefine what we can do to achieve unison. We end with some question and answer on pipe band management and philosophy.