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.

On changing our pipe band uniform

Black Watch 1900

When our leadership team met to plan out the coming year one topic was the uniform. Who would have thought that considering what uniform the competition band might wear for the 2015 season might cause controversy. The board of directors considered the issue a year ago, but felt that the timing and cost should be postponed. A year of success in competition has brought the idea to the fore again. For the past number of years our band has performed in two uniforms: a formal uniform complete with Royal Stewart kilt, stocking tops with white spats, cross-belt, plaid, piper's horse hair sporran and feather hat and a street uniform of white spats, black shirt and glengarry with red and white hackle. Both uniforms look very sharp when marching in parades or performing for any occasion. The spats with cross-hatch stocking looks great for marching in unison in either uniform. The formal ‘big hat’ with plaid over the shoulders looks very impressive.

Looking at the competition at local highland games shows the Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums to look like a parade band and not a competition band. Are we judged on our appearance? The consensus says ‘no …but maybe a little.” It was pointed out that at “The Worlds” none of the top placing bands wears such. What do they wear besides their kilts? Typically a long sleeve white, light blue or grey shirt under a vest with complimentary tie, day sporran, dark socks and gillies. For a hat they wear a glengarry with or without a hackle. So our team’s thought is to enter the mainstream of bands competing with an updated look, proposing such to the band’s board of directors.

First, emphasize that we will keep our current two uniforms for formal presentations such as our Christmas Concerts. If a piper or drummer is not competing, then these two uniforms would be the uniforms of choice. If you are part of the competition band, then you would be issued the pieces for such. There is the possibility that in a year or so, the full band may be issued the competition uniform. What might it look like? We would keep the two kilts, Royal Stewart for the pipers and Hunting Stewart for the drummers. Surprisingly this caused some discussion as looking at the competition bands at the Worlds shows all competing members in matching tartan. So this may get phased in, but initially I see us keeping both kilts. Next, loose the white spats and sock tops, replacing them with a black or dark gray ‘pop corn’ sock with red flashes. Add a black leather day sporran, gray long sleeve shirt under a black vest with black or regimental stripped tie and you have our idea for the competition band(s).

Controversy? There is the cost of changing 8 – 12 pipers and 6 – 8 drummers; 20 players. We discussed band members paying for their shirt, socks and shoes; the band paying for the vest, sporran, flashes and tie. As we don’t charge dues to play in the band, asking folk to pay some seems reasonable to leadership. Comments were made that maybe we outfit the grade 4 band this year and the grade 5 next year. The consensus was that this segregates the bands and may cause friction between the teams, something we try hard to avoid. There are also the choices of colors for hose and shirt. As this will identify us to the piping community for years to come. Dark gray vs black socks, and even white vs gray shirt seems minor, yet people have emotion charged opinions. I get it. People need to be heard. I hope we can show samples at our band membership meeting in January.

As I expressed, a picture is worth a thousand words. So a friend of mine sent out the URL of a blog that gave what the writer thought of as the top 5 best dressed bands at the Worlds http://www.viewsfromthecircle.co.uk/best-dressed-pipe-bands-grade-1/ Take a look for yourself. Nice blog as well. One thing I noticed was that the bands listed did not have hackles in their glengarries.

So we will just have to wait until 2015 to find out what the Stewart Tartans will be wearing.

Have a blessed Christmas, wonderful holiday season, play Aud Lang Syne New Year’s eve and start making plans to play your best for the new year!

On piping with the Stewart Tartans for a second year

It’s December 2014 and I come to the end of my second! year in a pipe band. Last Sunday was our band’s last performance of the year, playing in San Mateo for our second Christmas Concert. The band performed 16 times, 6 parades and competed 9 days in the year culminating with our band’s back to back Scottish Christmas concert! 

Mathematically the band played every other week, plus some. Again, I have to acknowledge (and thank) my beautiful my wife and family for encouraging and supporting my piping. Playing the pipes this year has been overwhelmingly fun. I started last year with the goal of performing well and playing at a level that I would be accepted into the competition band. I see many hands in the running of our pipe band. From the pipe major and drum major on down to the most in need of more practice, so many folk helped make this year fun and profitable.

The band itself played successfully through the competition year coming in 4th overall in WUSPBA. This standing, along with a healthy desire to see the band progress, had the band management apply for and be approved for moving from grade 5 to grade 4. This spells more time and energy needed to play well at the next level up. Along with that was the band’s desire to keep the grade 5 band going as a farm band to support player’s upward movement. Based on the rules of competition, our pipe major will stay with the grade 4 band, and I was asked to step up and into the role of PM for the grade 5 band. OMG, what was I thinking when I accepted?

This coming year will be another year of growth for me in the new role as well as progressing in my playing to stay in the upper band when the grade 5 band is not competing. Our band will be establishing individual goals for each member this year, as a trial. I do well with goals set and accomplished. I hope that the band will respond favorably to the idea. My personal goal / fantasy will be to compete personally whenever the band is competing. I guess that I’d better get practicing.

Thank you to all those who listen to our band, and music!

Merry Christmas!

John B

'Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:11

On playing Christmas carols

Every year at Christmastime I find myself being asked to play Christmas carols at different festivities. And during our Scottish Christmas Concert our band will play a couple carols, changing tune combinations each year.

Some piping friends have challenged the ‘need’ for playing carols at all as “they were not composed for pipes.” I have to say I disagree. Music transcends the instrument if the transposition of tunes can be played well on the pipes. 

I thoroughly enjoy playing carols as a treat to listeners. It surprises and stirs listeners when they least expect it. Played solo, the tunes can be added to most any repertoire where exact embellishment may be laid aside for the sake of the listener.

Trusted tunes that work are:

Angels We Have Heard on High
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel
Come All Ye Faithful
Hark the Herald Angel Sing
Deck the Halls
I Saw Three Ships


Merry Christmas!

Freedom is not free!

On this Veteran’s Day, I want to acknowledge the countless men and women who have served their country. My words are worth little compared to the efforts on the battlefields, in support of the troops on land, in the air and on the sea. Thank you for your service to our country and the freedoms we enjoy today. I also acknowledge the service in my own family: my Dad who served in the Army in WWII, his brothers who both served (Uncle Dave in the Army and Uncle Richard who served in the Marines) and my big brother who served in the Navy during Vietnam. In my wife’s family, two of her uncles served in the Marines and Air Force in WWII, brothers served in the Navy and Air Force. I also think of students and son’s of friends who served in the Marines, Army and Navy! Some are serving as I write. I’m proud of them all!

Our band marched in the San Jose Veteran’s Day Parade, leading the parade. What an honor. We march in honor of all who served or are serving. I consider our performance as a heartfelt gift to those who serve.

This year we honor the end of WWI ninety-six years ago at 11am, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I was awestruck when I read about the honor given to the English veterans who were lost during the war. As a temporary memorial, 888, 624 ceramic poppies were created and ‘planted’ in the dry moat surrounding the Tower of London. One poppy for each service member who died for their country. Amazingly touching. After Veteran’s Day, the poppies have been sold to raise funds for charities. What a beautiful gesture.

On the Flowers of the Forest

Flodden Memorial, erected 1910

One of the many ancient pieces of Scottish music, the Flowers of the Forest continues to stand the test of time for laments played on the bagpipes. The earliest written version of the tune was in the early 1600’s in a manuscript by John Skene. Then called “Flowers of the Forrest” the tune has become synonymous with playing at funerals or memorial services In 1756, Jean Elliot wrote the memorable lyrics to the somber yet powerful song about the losses during the Battle of Flodden Field in northern England in 1513 against the army of Henry VIII. Although possibly not the author of the original lyrics, she captured the sentiments and grief felt at the loss of their loved ones in battle as well as the loss of Scotland’s King James IV. For the past 150+ years, Flowers of the Forest was the tune to be played at funerals. Today everyone thinks of Amazing Grace as the tune to play at memorials, yet this wonderful piece is relatively modern.

When I was leaning the tune initially, my piping tutor told me that to play the tune except at funeral or memorial (or practice) was unlucky. Here are the lyrics:

The Flowers of the Forest
Lyrics by Jean Elliot

I’ve heard them liltin’, at the ewe milkin,’
Lasses a-liltin’ before dawn of day.
Now there’s a moanin’, on ilka green loanin’.
The flowers of the forest are a’ wede away.

As boughts in the mornin’, nae blithe lads are scornin’,
Lasses are lonely and dowie and wae.
Nae daffin’, nae gabbin’, but sighin’ and sobbin’,
Ilk ane lifts her leglin, and hies her away.

At e’en in the gloamin’, nae swankies are roamin’,
‘Mang stacks wi’ the lasses at bogle to play.
But ilk maid sits drearie, lamentin’ her dearie,
The flowers of the forest are a’ wede away.

In har’st at the shearin’ nae youths now are jeerin’
Bandsters are runkled, and lyart, or grey.
At fair or at preachin’, nae wooin’, nae fleecin’,
The flowers of the forest are a’ wede away.

Dool for the order sent our lads to the Border,
the English for ance by guile wan the day.
The flowers of the forest, that fought aye the foremost,
The prime of our land lie cauld in the clay.

We’ll hae nae mair liltin’, at the ewe milkin’,
Women and bairns are dowie and wae.
Sighin’ and moanin’ on ilka green loanin’,
The flowers of the forest are all wede away.

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)