North of the Border

Well we're back home! It's good to be back.

Wes and I spent the weekend south of the border hanging out with the Dakota District Pipes and Drums (www.dakotapipesdrums.org) As always we had a tremendous time with those folks and got a ton of work done.

Every time we head down there we see what drive and hard work can accomplish with dedicated people.

They, like so many bands in the Northern U.S, are struggling trying to get a drum corp for their pipe corp. I have trouble identifying the reason for this, but as a pipe band snare drummer I blame DCI.

Well not really, they're good guys those DCI drummers, it's just that whenever these bands go looking for drummers they B-line for the DCI corps because they have "experience".

DCI drummers are an exceptional breed. Watching those players is an incredible treat for any drummer, but make no mistake it is night and day from pipe band snare drumming. While to the naked eye we are rooted in the same styles, I find the music is so different. DCI to me, and I'm still ill-informed on the subject, is a very complex drumming, utilizing grooves, and flashy stick motions to emphasize the show aspect of the overall performance.

I often watch these guys on YouTube cause they blow my mind. Check out the Blue Devils, it's insane, I think they defy gravity.

Pipe band drumming to me is rooted in ensemble. We use every rudiment in our arsenal to emphasize and accompany the piping. We use dynamics and closed rolls to create a more audible show as opposed to the visual show of the DCI corps.

So traditionally I find these DCI players come hangout with the pipe bands and very often get bored.

So my recommendation is to start them fresh. Find people who are interested in the music and the social aspect then make sure they can keep a beat and get them some sticks.

I don't much like rushing instruction either, but everyone has different goals for their playing. Especially adults.

Okay I'm done preaching on drumming. I think tomorrow I'll discuss the World Solo Drumming Championships.

Oh and lastly, for those of you who are playing grade 2. The medley is basically done. We did it! 7 hours in the truck with Wes on pain killers, and we worked it out.

Talk to ya'll tomorrow!

Cheers

Sean