Practice Makes the Perfect Poker Face

I seem to be in a music induced fog...

It has been 4 days since the first contest of the season and I have spent about 4-6 hours of each day with sticks in my hand trying to harness the energy of Graham Brown's music.

I'm at that point where, usually in July, my hands can do anything. So that's awesome. However, there is one little insignificant, yet all important factor I'm not considering....Unison....

I'm a lead drummer by trade these days. It's been 5 or so years since I've played unison at all.

*quick break for the pipers*

Unison (or chips) refers to the piano time or first repeat of a part. The lead drummer plays the music and the corp players jump in and out to create larger accent patterns and dynamics. A very musical approach and yet friggin hard to do.

*end break for pipers*

I am summoning every bit of knowledge I have from back in the day. Playing for Bob Cooper and Roland Reid was a real treat for my ability because these two men played like fire and ice.. completely different. Rolly had hands that could accomplish things that appeared to defy gravity, time, and space... Bob was methodical, musical, and always consistent. Learning to keep up with Bob's perfection, and Rolly's musical ability was an education I don't think you can get anywhere.


And now I must apply the knowledge..

The trick is, I don't have a lead drummer to follow. I'm sitting in my living room listening to Peel records trying to get Graham's style without seeing it.

This is where the modern fly-in player must be creative. Youtube to the rescue!!!

I've watched every video of Graham, and all his corp players, and just about everyone from Ontario to see if there is a distinct style I can copy. I've watched Jim Kilpatrick who is obviously a great influence in Graham's playing. Now I apply the knowledge.

I have exactly 8 days until the marathon begins. Here's my flight schedule if you're wondering.

Next Fridy: Pop the Trunk Live at Whiskey Dix
2am Saturday Morning: Pop the Trunk finishes gigging, drive to airport
5am Flight to Toronto: sleep/read music/drink coffee
8am Arrive in Toronto: Kill time until pick up
10am: Practice!!!!
I'm assuming based on the judges list that after practice we're going to the Toronto knockout contest..

Sunday repeat practice schedule, then fly home for 8 oclock.
Monday back to work....owww

As crazy as that all seems I couldn't be more excited.

I think Angie might be getting a bit jealous of my drum pad but I'll make it up to her.

The last thing I have to work on is my poker face... How to sit at this practice all day without a dumb grin on my face and giggling like a school girl. I know Jake well, and Graham pretty good, but what do I do when Graham Kirkwood introduces himself, or one of the Bells.. or John Cairns.... There's so much talent and history in this band I'm going to see that it's like I'm going to Disney Land.

Anyways I'll keep you posted on the poker face. So far, not so good.

Cheers

Sean

A Successful Weekend in Review

Good morning all.

I hope everyone has recovered from the long weekend. For those who were visiting Winnipeg briefly, I hope you enjoyed your stay, and I hope you may have got a chance to check out festivale always a great tradition in our city.

Well the first contest is behind us and we're reviewing. I have to thank the adjudicators for their work and their sheets. I especially want to thank Doug Stronach for his sheets as they are always full of great advice and critique. Lots of stuff to work on, and some great encouraging words as well.

It would appear things are moving in the right direction. From a leadership stand point this weekend couldn't have gone better. We introduced some new players and they played fabulously. We ran a few youngins out in solos and they were very successful. I have to congratulate Shane Kirkpatrick (gr 2 snare) on his winning grade 3 and drummer of the day. I believe he'll be upgraded asap but we're proud of him. Shane has worked hard, as he has been the product of three separate instructors. I noticed Shane's abilities and knowing my own limitations and strengths as an instructor I also signed him up with the Fidler boys for work on attention to detail, and Dave Chorney for technique work and general knowledge. This triple team effort and Shane's hard work have resulted in one of the most well balanced young players I've come across and it's a real treat for all of us to see him blossom into the player he is.

I have to report that I've read the grade 3 sheets, and despite a second place over-all finish, they were very well appreciated by the adjudicators. They have plenty of work to do, and the competition between them and Macalaster College is heating up. Congratulations to their whole band on a great weekend.

Grade 2 had a fabulous day, all pistons were firing and all the new members were successful in bids to play with the band. Congrats to Anna, Amanda, Rob, Wendy, and Shane for making their first plays a memorable and victorious one.

This is the first year I've left certain facets out of my own hands. I hate being micro-managed and have finally learned to not micro-manage others (a do unto others approach I guess) the players in the all corps, instructors, sound guys, helpers, all rose to the challenge and were exactly where they needed to be when they needed to be. We finally are as organized and as independent as the pipe corp. This will show in Maxville, well done.

I have to take a moment to thank two awesome dudes for helping out all weekend. Dave Chorney and Ian Walker were invaluable. I wish you guys were coming to Maxville with us mostly for my own sanity. Thanks for tuning the grade 3 gear Dave and for helping in every way possible. Ian, thanks for carrying that spare drum up and down the hallway 50 times, it's appreciated.

I really really enjoyed the day. We never get a chance to hear the other bands, but I snuck in to hear Macalester and let me tell you, they do not disappoint, the quintessential grade 3 pipe band. Fantastic performance.

I did finally get to watch the City of Regina on video yesterday. I really enjoyed Buz's scores especially in the MSR. Buz has a unique style, and our corp versus theirs is very much an apples to oranges comparison. They have developed a real spark in the band with the addition of this skilled drum corp. I am truly looking forward to more contests.

The big story for us on the day wasn't grade 3, or 2, but grade 5. We finally got the kids out and rolling.

For those that were wondering what the big fuss was when the results are announced I should explain...

2 years ago we took a gamble, we decided we wanted to take what information and knowledge we had, and teach a new generation. The instructors Scott, Kyla, Jamie, Heather, Wes, Ian, Brian, Megan, Chris, Gina, Amanda,and most certainly Gale, all put in hours of effort to turn a group of kids who had really barely heard a pipe band and make them players. The kids worked tirelessly and Saturday was the first time they'd actually worn kilts, let alone played in public.

They responded exactly the way a St Andrew's band does. They played confidently and clearly, and won the day.

At about 1 o'clock the kids were introduced to counter-marching. They learned this with the entire grade 2, and 3 bands watching their every move. They walked to the line with 40 or 50 heavy players following them. They didn't blink.

The real reward wasn't the win, the real reward, for those of us who took this project on, was watching the kids enjoy each others company. Playing around, eating lunch, causing a bit of mischief, together.

A lot of the instructors made some big sacrifices to make this dream come true. Shunned by friends outside the organization, looked down upon, and smack-talked by ignorant individuals who don't see the pure value of one more educating pipe band teaching our trade. To those who took this in stride and helped us achieve this goal,we will never forget what you did for the kids and our program. You're forever apart of our family and we take care of our own.

Proof is in the pudding, we have our first grade 5 trophy, and the kids will never forget what they accomplished. I see great things in the future for this little group.

The next thing on all the bands plate is the concert in April. Tickets will be available this week and I hope everyone makes it out. I am looking forward to a fabulous concert.

Until then have a great March and happy practicing. I'm off to Toronto next weekend March 2 ,3 so keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you all informed as this saga continues.

Take care.


Sean

Valuable Lessons

Happy Monday everybody.

With the Winnipeg Scottish Festival fast approaching we've been very very busy this past couple days.

Incidentally I've also been flooring our bedroom, and gigging....

I wanted to draw light on a few things that I haven't quite had the heart to talk about.

A few weeks back Chris Milne lost his father. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Milne once and he was a kind a gracious man. I'm not very good at making quick impressions of people, but knowing the son he raised, Mr. Milne must've been a gem.

There's always some connection between parents and Pipers and Drummers. Sometimes a parent played, or just encouraged, but it's there. So the first practice back is never easy. I'm glad to have Chris back at practice, it balances the band having him around and we wouldn't be the same without him.

Shortly after that we received the sudden and sad news that Alan Ford's father had passed away. This came as some shock to many of us as Mr. Ford had just returned home from a trip to Scotland to visit family. Mr. Ford was a great band supporter and I know following the passing of his beloved wife he spent a great deal of time in the company of family.

It is a blessing that he met his grandson Graeme Ford before he passed. He will be greatly missed.

I once wrote about Mr. Ford. At that point I hardly knew him. But he had taken ill and his sudden turn of health served as a wake-up call to myself in a time when I was quite blind by working and band etc. Since then I have spent a good deal more time enjoying my life, family, friends, and the fun side of pipe bands.

The night before I heard about Mr. Ford's passing my own father rushed himself into hospital. Another wake-up call. My dad (John, Johnny, JJ, etc.) suffered a mild stroke and managed to get to a hospital safely. It turns out the life he lead at my age caught up with him in his mid-60's.

My dad is diabetic and has really turned his life around the past few years as far as diet control and enjoying life. I'm extremely proud of the changes he made. But the scales were still unbalanced and he must now undergo surgery to deal with some blockages.

And I have attention issues.

See?

I don't skip my attention around like the the previous two lines might suggest. My problem is I put up blinders. Anything that isn't right in front of me I forget about. This goes for family. My old man lives in the absolute boonies. A long drive to any civilization. Thus I tend to forget to call him. Not a day goes by he doesn't cross my mind but it's usually while at the desk etc.

The other side to this health scare... I AM my father. Not by choice. Dad has warned me plenty of times about his mistakes as a young man. But try as I may I can't stay out of the drive-thru... I look in the mirror and he's staring right back at me.

The lesson I didn't learn from Mr. Ford's sudden illness I learned the moment I read of his passing. The lessons I pretended to learn from my Dad I learned immediately when my sister called me. I have a few young guys in the corp and I thought maybe I should share these lessons in the hope they take them without learning them the hard way.

Lesson #1 - Make best of the time you have, make sure loved ones are treated as such, because you just never know

Lesson #2 - No matter what has happened, no matter how busy you are, take a moment, sit down, and call your parents.

Lesson #3 (The one my dad tried to warn me of) - For everything there is a cost, what you do as a young man will catch you later.

Rest in Peace Mr. Milne, Mr. Ford, and thanks to the good Lord for giving me a second chance to appreciate my parents, both of them, crazy as they may be :).

Look for the silver lining. In every loss there is always a balance. This weekend we welcome Andrew Chorney to the family. Jen and the baby are both healthy, and Dave... well he's still Dave and we can't ask for miracles.

Finally a baby that isn't pre-destined to play bagpipes!


Cheers

Sean

Blink of An Eye

Did anybody see that???

I think it was January that just flew by...

I don't remember a thing. I know a lot happened. Wes and I did a clinic in Sioux Falls and played at a Burn's dinner. We had several practices including a weekend rehearsal, and now here we are again.

Staring down the barrel of a double weekend rehearsal. It's crunch time for us. The first contest is in 2 weeks and we have to be in our finest form.

As with every February contest we are never sure what we'll face for competition. Both bands wait until the order of play to know whether it's a contest or a contest/rehearsal. We treat each situation the same, but there's nothing like competition to get the blood pumping.

I hear through the grapevine... (facebook) that there is gonna be a sword fight at Scottish Festival. Literally a Scottish Broadsword demonstration. This intrigues me. I'm going to be using this as an added inspiration, creating a more literal meaning to the word "cut".

We do have some fantastic judges coming out for this. That's always nice. It allows us to get some feedback from the pros as to our improvement.

In other news, I think my future wife has finally realized what I meant by "will you be my pipe band widow?"....

I'm spending a great deal of time tucked in my office practicing. Even though Jacob (Angie's 5 year old son) spends a lot of time with me working on his mama dada's I think Angie is seeing why I was so wary when I told her about Peel :)

The music is clipping along. I'm happy to say the St. Andrew's stuff is all set and we're working our butts off. Once that stuff is locked in my head I begin the challenging task of separating MSRs.

For all those who got in touch with me regarding this new adventure I'm on, I can't thank you enough for your words of encouragement. I go back and read them all every time I can't seem to master one of Graham's epic drum licks.

To be continued....


Sean