On stepping in for the Pipe Major

Back in mid-August, I wrote an entry regarding standing next to the Pipe Major (Top Ten Reasons Not to Stand next to …). Little did I envision stepping into his shoes and running a band practice. Now there is an example of irony. Crazy? Yes, I know. But fate has a way of taking us out of our comfort zone.

There are times in a band’s year that the Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant are both out. We have several members of the piper corp. capable of running a practice. Based on what is needed that evening, the effort could be a fun time or a challenge. If it is chanter work on new or existing tunes, tuning the band member’s pipes, then playing tunes in the circle, then it can be managed. Even if a piper is capable, he or she, may not want to. I think that it comes down to confidence to lead and competency on the pipes.

So that’s where I found myself a couple weeks ago. I had direction from the PM as to what he wanted accomplished, so my job was to follow through on his outline. The first time stepping up to leading in the circle is an interesting one. The first question: where is the PM starts the evening followed by a simple announcement that I was asked to run the practice. Done. So let’s get going. Chanters first, pipes second (warm up, tuning to 480 hz, drones tuning, circle up leaving room for drummers, tuning sequence, etc.), then on to playing new and old tunes (bring your music if they aren’t memorized yet). Add drummers, and now the bass drummer and lead side drummer are watching my foot for tempo. You just can’t think about it. Lead in the moment; but remain very much aware of what is happening.

Just as I wrote about the PM hearing my playing, now, the band can hear and see my playing; some are even following my fingering, and, I am more aware than ever of others and their playing. Nervous? Yes. So I focus on playing and keep the tempo as even as I can and the evening moving forward. I’m ever more aware of phrases where the tempo can run away, and they do… arghhh! Stop, recognize it and repeat. Everyone learns from it. Add a little humor.

I thinks PM’s are unconsciously trained on certain praises and actions. Set the tempo; humming the first couple bars of music; ask younger pipers “How many beats of ‘E’” at strike in; stop if early ‘E’ is sounded; encourage control of your instrument; “Good cut-off”, or “watch the cutoff”; “It’s 1, 2,3 off”; we are in this to improve our music; listen to your neighbor for tuning, etc.

The evening flies by, guaranteed! At the end, words of encouragement to all and the DM announces “dismissed”. Then comes the questions and suggestions. I listen to them all and relay how the band did at practice to the PM. Interestingly enough, I hope that I will be asked to substitute again. My thanks goes out to the band for patiently following my lead.

“Irony is just honesty with the volume cranked up.” George Saunders (US Author)

On if our band lived by the Scout Law

Last weekend I participated in a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Court of Honor in San Jose, playing the pipes and marching the Scout troop into the ceremony. It’s always a pleasure to play for these kinds of events and this one was no different. Honoring the years of dedicated work by a young man in scouting, the Eagle award represents a wonderful achievement strived for and attained. At one point in the ceremony all scouts present stand and repeat the Scout Law, reciting from memory, “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” From the age of 10 or so, until age 18, the boys will recite this weekly at troop events and outings, and it becomes part of a boy’s scouting DNA, if not their personal DNA.

A guest speaker at the event extolled the values of scouting and living by the Scout Law. He spoke of how, although not attaining the Eagle award as a young man in Scouts, he always took the Law to heart. After college he established a business, and, incorporated the twelve points into running his organization. It gave me pause to think, what if pipe bands ran this same way. What if our band lived by the Scout Law? How would the band function? Would it make a difference in the lives of the members who embraced the ideals the Scout Law represents?

If all members of the band were trustworthy to commit to events and practices? To make our yes, our yes, and our no, our no. As we make a commitment to our band, we then stand by it. If band members were loyal to the agreed upon principles of our band as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit created to educate the general public in piping, drumming, dance, and other art forms associated with Scottish and Celtic culture. Loyal to the leadership, even when we disagree with minor issues such as style, choice of music or communications. We would see our leaders loyal to the membership as well. We are to be helpful to one another at practice or in performance. We should arrive to any band function ready to do our best, dressed ahead of time and our instrument functioning properly and pre-tuned? Are we helpful to the Pipe Major with tuning? Are we doing our part to help with drone shut offs as we tune, quietly waiting our turn with the PM or assigned piper?

To those who love listening to our music at highland games and public events, to band members and visitors to practice we should always be friendly. Would our band members’ speech and actions demonstrate friendliness to guests after we play, by answering questions and giving thanks and encouragement? What if we were courteous to each other? Courteous is defined as polite in a way that shows respect and a gracious consideration toward others. How would that play out during band practice or away at a highland games? Are we kind to one another and encouraging as we practice and play? There’s always someone who plays better than me (and maybe some who aren’t up to my level). Am I kind in my comments to the ‘better’ player? Do I offer my time and experience to ‘younger’ less experienced players? We could demonstrate kindness to one who misses practice, emailing or calling to see if they are alright. How deep does our concern for our band mates go?

Going to practice and events has a certain social component. We enjoy chatting away about the last band gig, latest music or upcoming road trip. We need to learn when the mingling ends and be obedient to instruction and requests from one another. “Would you listen to my D-throws?” “Would you help me with the timing of a sticky passage in Battle of Waterloo?” We should extend the same level of obedience to the Pipe Corporal as we do the Pipe Major. We should listen to the young player and the old. And do such with a cheerful heart. Having marched a long parade, or completed a lengthy practice, do we leave grumbling about decisions made, or are we cheerful and grateful that we belong to a corp. of pipers and drummers who love Celtic pipe music? Piping isn’t an over the top expensive hobby but running a band does take money earned in gigs and donations. We have a responsibility to be thrifty in how the band spends money. Besides, I’ve never heard of a spend thrift Scotsman. Have you? ;-)

Brave? I had to think about this one. Pipers and drummers have a core of bravery in them in that we put ourselves in front of the public to perform. It takes both guts and a touch of bravery to give without really expecting in return. Am I brave enough to admit when I’m not ‘getting it’ in practice and ask for help? As a band, for the most part, we are a clean bunch. Yet how would we look if we ALL cleaned and bleached our spats, made sure our shirts are clean (and pressed) before a performance, shoes ALWAYS polished, no tears or wear on our uniforms, even our glengarry ribbons pressed? My best guess is that it would be very noticeable. And reverent… in a pipe band? Are we just musicians who love a good time? Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines reverent as “Expressing reverence, veneration or submission.” We all God’s children created for a purpose. Piping may well be part of that purpose for me. To do our best for God and country, and ourselves in part of that reverent attitude. To uphold this one point is to epitomize the other eleven.

We should and must approach running our band with an attitude honoring to the heritage of great pipers and bands who played before us. We must consciously determine to make our band worthy of the next generation. We are pipers and drummers, not Boy Scouts. And yet, we have been given a talent for music, for performing, for leading by example and for living up to the points of the Scout Law. Each point is relevant to each of us. In answer to my original question, what if our band lived by the Scout Law, I say we would be better for it. May we each incorporate these into our own DNA.