On pipe band class warfare

If you have ever been part of an organization for any period of time you may notice that all that was seen as shiny, glowing and new when you first joined now has lost some lustre. Why? As one looks from the outside, you see the best that a group, club. school or church has to offer. So it can be within a pipe band. I recall attending the Pleasanton Games over the years, sitting in the bleachers watching the bands compete under the trees. I’d go home inspired to practice more, play more and dream about being in a competing band. Attending our band’s Christmas concert (before I was a member) three years ago and going home telling my wife that it would be fun to join. The next year, after the concert, I approached the Pipe Major, Catherine Young) and joined the band. Two and a half years later, I can compare my time inside this great organization. Which brings me to the delicate subject of pipe band class warfare.

First, what is class warfare? This would assume that there are classes of individuals and that there is tension between them existing in the socioeconomic structure surrounding them. So in a band you have individuals in the classes of pipe corp, and the drum corp, or vice versa to show I have no class prejudice / distinction ;-). Within each you may have different skill levels, or in the case of the drum corp you have different instruments and different skills. That being said, what class tensions could exist? We share a common love of pipe band music. We recognize and appreciate each other’s contribution to the music. So overall, from my perspective, we are a happy ensemble. Within each corp there may be tensions beneath the surface.

I’ve written before about skill levels and commitment to the band or even to the instruments. As this is a hobby, a band will attract many levels of skill and commitment. And based on commitment to the craft, our levels of skill and commitment goes up and down. A novice player may find him/herself feeling a little left out when the seasoned players play a complicated set. Or some musician dedicates himself to playing 10 – 20 hours per week whereas another only 5 – 7. Who may have the greater impact on their instrument? Probably the one dedicated to practicing more. At practices this may show when chanters are being practiced with. We will play a music passage solo and whoever practices that passage will probably play with confidence and sound better than the person does not practice. Skill and commitment levels can cause some friction and frustration, but really no ‘warfare’.

Our band also has members in at least three to four other bands, as well as solo performance commitments in the Bay area. In my mind that is a wonderful complement to our type of organization. That our band attracts members from other bands for various reasons. We are seeing our band grow. But commitments to multiple bands also has its challenges. When major holidays arrive, my bandmates will choose which band to play with and sometimes this leaves us a little thin in the ranks of players. This can cause some tension about where loyalties lie. But works for the most part.

Maybe the only class tension I see on occasion is between band members who wish to compete at highland games and those that do not. As mentioned before, we have members in more than one band. The Western United State Pipe Band Association in its wisdom does not allow band members to compete in more than one band at a single competition. We have one member of our band that plays for another competition band. For whatever the reason, their choice is not to compete with us. And this works. Our band plays approximately 23 – 25 performances, parades and concerts per year. The competition band does 3 – 4 competitions. Many of the performances and competitions bring in appearance money to the band budget. And yet to hear from some band members it is “us vs. them”, the ‘A’ team vs the ‘B’ team. There is a definite focus on the competition group when a competition is approaching no doubt. And a definite focus on the Christmas Concert or any parade when they approach. I just don’t see why the tension exists.

So how to combat class rivalries? Work to show respect for one another; seek common ground on differences, do our best to be inclusive on all members, foster an atmosphere of each helping one another grow in the band whether skill or commitment. So as to class warfare, our band has very little. A little grumbling and grousing over issues but not a whole lot. As in any organization of volunteers, people will sometimes vote with their feet and move on to other bands.

May it rarely happen with us.

On Developing a Piper

Through the years of playing the bagpipes I have watched, participated in and helped friends and competitors through the trials of preparing for a competition. Much of the time we, as pipers, attend band practice, or take a weekly lesson, then practice on our own. ‘Game day’ comes and unless you have been a part of the same games year after year, or have ice water in our blood, it may cause a good deal of stress. Preparing to compete, whether solo or as a band does not happen by accident. And the practice isn’t just in the form of playing the tune a hundred times in the band circle. If you are planning to compete effectively at the next level of play I’ve compiled a To-Do list to help.

First, realize that you have what it takes to play well. Does this mean I don’t have to practice? Absolutely not. But you are going to compete only with yourself even as you stand and march before an adjudicator. You possess personal characteristics, traits and values that have helped you drive musically to perform including discipline, focus, energy, habits, work ethic, goal oriented and commitment to your craft. These traits translate to whatever level of performance you play at.

Encourage positive attitude through positive affirmation, praise and properly discussed critique. Last evening our pipe corp. was working on a hornpipe. Playing together as a pipe corp. has its own challenges but masks a multitude of errors. The big picture could be heard as we played along with a metronome. We played in and out of tempo. The PM gave critique, critical yet positive. We each then played the 1st 8 bars of the tune solo. No one played it completely correct. How the PM can turn the younger players errors into positive encouragement if great to see. We all need affirmation yet we each need to be prodded to perform better. “Well done. You hit all the notes and stayed on tempo for the most part, yet need to work with you grips (grace notes, embellishment, etc.). Work bar three over and over with a metronome and you’ll see progress.” It’s a great trait to encourage in us all whether in leadership or not when helping other players.

Value skill level goals in all members of the band. My D-throw may be ‘lovely’ but my D-grip is ‘crushed’ and needs work. How involved we are in each other’s time at practice in preparing for a competition. Do our bandmates value our contribution to the band? Do the PM and top players take time to work with and encourage each other. I think, for the most part, our skill level and attitude are known among our peers. It is how we handle our attitude toward others in the band that is important.

I encourage the developing piper to have an identity beyond being just a piper. By all means focus on your instrument. The more proper practice the better. All my friends know of my hobby and the love I have for bagpipe music. Yet they also know me as a Dad, a fellow believer in Jesus Christ, a long distance runner, a part time high school teacher, and, as a backpacking and hiking. Each of us has interests beyond piping. Embrace them. They will help you keep a life that is balanced that will allow you to see more than the sheet music in front of you.

In my high school class I try to instill an attitude of going beyond your best. Some might say, “Do your best.” Nonsense. We need to develop to go beyond our “best” by pushing ourselves. If I run only several miles a week and expect a sub four hour marathon, I’m just fooling myself. Physical and mental development must be developed. Playing a tune over and over again doesn’t make me a great player. Pushing myself to master both old and new skills, exercising my arms, lungs, hands, marching etc. until I’m tired, then do it again tomorrow makes me stronger as I see myself progress in stamina, musical skill, etc.

One of my friends in band is a professional dietician. She is certainly aware and thankfully not overbearing when it comes to the diet she sees our fellow bandsmen (OK… me) have. If I ask, she will make suggestions. In preparing for long weekends away at a highland game, we need to prepare ourselves with a healthy diet and, of course, rest. It comes down to respecting our own bodies. What is the best thing for ourselves? Too much junk food or alcohol along with too little sleep could spell disaster in the competition circle. Get you rest and eat well. No one wants to let their team down by not being prepared. Preparation doesn’t just apply to the instrument and music we play, but how we treat our bodies which enables us to carry out our duties in the band or competition.

To get there may also take learning new self-governance / time management skills to fit piping in, as well as have time for friends, family and work. Taking responsibility for all aspects of self-development focusing of goals for practices, getting to lessons, travel to gigs, and taking pride in your uniformed appearance. These are traits of self-governance that when developed in the piper will happily spill over into all areas of life. As I have learned through the years, to say “no” to an upcoming gig that conflicts with another engagement is an OK thing.

Those of us who love the music of the highland bagpipes and drums, and play one or the other, realize that success doesn’t come from just practice alone. But rather enjoying a life, one with other interests, family, friends, and with thoughtful discipline. Piping for competition in a band or as a soloist should augment a life which enjoys the beauty of the world around us, embracing the talents we’ve been given and encourage those around us with affirming appreciation.

Happy piping.