HO HO HO!!!!!!
Well it has been far to long since our last chat.
It's been a busy couple weeks for me. School has crunched for many of us college/university types and exams are already beginning. Hence the lack of blogging.
The bands have been incredibly busy the past couple weeks.
Grade 2 has been working very hard in the absence of Wes. Wesley has been recovering from various cold/flu/god only knows what, and it was up to Cam Ballantyne and the rest of the pipe corp leadership to fill his shoes for a few weeks. Job well done I say.
Practices rolled on despite some location issues and everyone came together to be in our best shape for the St. Andrew's Society Men's Dinner performance the last weekend of November.
Traditionally the drum corps have always neglected to learn any new music for this performance, opting rather to hold new scores until the concert in late January early February. I, on the other hand, felt it was time to use this performance to push the corp and challenge the new members.
We performed some traditional sets, 6/8's, 3/4's, that type of thing, and did a fabulous job of the Reel set wowing the crowd. We only brought 8 pipers out due to work, illness, etc. however it worked out well due to lack of stage space and the 7 sides in attendance.
The drum corp put a cap on the performance tearing through their first public performance of the Salute to Max Rayne.
It dawned on me in Montreal last year that there were only two grade 2 drum corps who can't play this salute, us... and another. I feel Max Rayne is a right of passage and the corp took up my challenge.
The rehearsal in the basement wasn't stellar... but not terrible. The performance on the other hand was second to none. One of those moments when, as a leader, you get to just look up and fight to keep your grin from showing.
The dinner was also the first roll out of our concert marketing. Tickets were available as of that friday for our winter concert: "The St. Andrew's Society Pipe Bands Live"... the concert is being held February 6th, 2010, at Jubilee Theatre. Tickets are $20, and available from myself or any band member.
We sold an all out record at the dinner this year.... 2...... but I have faith that we gained some fans that night and we shall see some new faces come February.
I have to thank Dan Sloan for helping us stay coordinated at the dinner, especially without Wes there. Cam and I were much more relaxed having Dan around to tell us where to be.
Also a huge thank you to Ed Bethune for picking up some concert tickets to take to the Society executive meeting this week, and for placing an ad in "the Saltire" (the society news letter) upcoming.
It's incredibly important to have friends like Dan and Ed involved and communicating with the band.
Next big event is the upcoming weekend rehearsal on the 19th, 20th, and of course the ensuing Christmas party.
Merry Christmas everybody, talk to you all soon!
Sean
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Oh ya!!! A blog about metronome use.
Why? Because I can.
The metronome is huge part of the success of the SASPB's so, with all the new members and non-members reading up on this blog, I thought I'd highlight "Sean's Steps to Successful Tempo Control".
Step 1. Buy a Metronome
Step 2. Attend practice regularly and ask about tempos
Step 3. Write all tempos down on each corresponding peice of music
Step 4. Take metronome out when you get home from practice... then take out your drum pad/sticks, or chanter
Step 5. EVERY TIME YOU PLAY USE YOUR METRONOME
Step 6. We'll use a march tempo from our msr. of 80 bpm's
I strongly recommend with marches, reels, hornpipes, to subdivide the tempo
set your metronome at 160 double time, or for those sneaky party in a round
or h/p quadruple it
For Spey's and Jigs you need to just clock in at whatever the tempo is
no subdivison though for those tricky GDE's feel free to clock a triple
feel in for the triplets
Step 7. If you have the metronome at a good volume but while playing you cannot hear
it's beat... you're probably playing with it. STOP HUNTING AROUND THE BEAT!!
That's about it. Long and short of it.
With almost 40 people in the grade 2 band, 4 of which fly in once a month to practice, it's is increasingly important we all utilize this tool.
This weekend is the Society men's dinner friday, and a performance at Knox United church on sunday, more on that later.
Cheers,
Sean
Why? Because I can.
The metronome is huge part of the success of the SASPB's so, with all the new members and non-members reading up on this blog, I thought I'd highlight "Sean's Steps to Successful Tempo Control".
Step 1. Buy a Metronome
Step 2. Attend practice regularly and ask about tempos
Step 3. Write all tempos down on each corresponding peice of music
Step 4. Take metronome out when you get home from practice... then take out your drum pad/sticks, or chanter
Step 5. EVERY TIME YOU PLAY USE YOUR METRONOME
Step 6. We'll use a march tempo from our msr. of 80 bpm's
I strongly recommend with marches, reels, hornpipes, to subdivide the tempo
set your metronome at 160 double time, or for those sneaky party in a round
or h/p quadruple it
For Spey's and Jigs you need to just clock in at whatever the tempo is
no subdivison though for those tricky GDE's feel free to clock a triple
feel in for the triplets
Step 7. If you have the metronome at a good volume but while playing you cannot hear
it's beat... you're probably playing with it. STOP HUNTING AROUND THE BEAT!!
That's about it. Long and short of it.
With almost 40 people in the grade 2 band, 4 of which fly in once a month to practice, it's is increasingly important we all utilize this tool.
This weekend is the Society men's dinner friday, and a performance at Knox United church on sunday, more on that later.
Cheers,
Sean
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Christmas Wish Granted, and a birthday wish, and easter, and new years.... well you get it
Welcome back folks.
Things are going pretty smooth around the province right now. PPBAM general meeting was this past weekend and I'm happy to say I've retained my position as Director of Grading.
Bigger news is that Wes was voted President. He has extremely large shoes to fill, and will never fully replace the expertise of past President Marlene Stephen, who pass away mid-way through last season.
Marlene was a true warrior of our craft, and I'm exceptionally grateful for the large amount of time I got to spend with Marlene during my first two years on the executive.
So, what's with the title... well it's official we've completed the deal to purchase a full set of drums for our grade 2 band.
The search to replace our premier's began back when the grade 4 band was in Scotland... circa. 2008
I spent a large quantity of this trip listening to every single corp I could and trying to find the best snare sound to compliment our pipe tone.
I know this seems silly but I have to say drum tone can seriously detract from a good pipe sound. Even well tuned drums aren't always well suited to the overall band effect you're looking for.
I'm interested to hear how completely different SFU will sound with Andante's. I did question Field Marshall's decision to move to Premier. Not because of the instrument but the character of sound that band produced under the Pearl label.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.....
Except our drums started to break.
So after hunting around it all came down to fate.
Up here in the frozen Tundra... (it's currently plus 11 Celsius here in the peg BEAUTIFUL!!!) We don't always make as many contacts as we'd like.
So there we were a bunch of young punks, scared out of our wits, terrified of the massed bands in Maxville, Ontario. I think we collectively all knew maybe 3 people in that mass.
Out of nowhere up walks Jon Quigg to talk drumming.... pretty nice of him I'd say.
So, I commented on the sound of City of Washinton's drums. Crisp and clean very enjoyable to my ear. Not exactly what we're looking for but really close. Jon then introduces Ian and myself to Harry Meade who simply says... "email me".
So as soon as I got off the plane in August, you guessed it, email sent.
Harry is the son of Bob Meade, one of the world's top pipe band drum dealers. Bob is also one of the most helpful people you'll find in the pipe band world.
You can check these great guys out at www.bobmeade.com
After some negotiations, a band decision, some more shopping, we came to last week when I finally put a stamp on our order from Pearl.
I'm proud to say the big blue machine is going Pearl. I have played Pearl products all throughout my career as a percussionist and it's truly the quality control that has attracted me most.
I'm expecting delivery sometime in the new year.
Until then here's a small snap shot of what we're expecting...
I know, I get choked up too just looking at it.
Merry Christmas drum corp, your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by your fellow band members. Your reward is playing the top instrument, at the top contest.
Cheers,
Sean
Things are going pretty smooth around the province right now. PPBAM general meeting was this past weekend and I'm happy to say I've retained my position as Director of Grading.
Bigger news is that Wes was voted President. He has extremely large shoes to fill, and will never fully replace the expertise of past President Marlene Stephen, who pass away mid-way through last season.
Marlene was a true warrior of our craft, and I'm exceptionally grateful for the large amount of time I got to spend with Marlene during my first two years on the executive.
So, what's with the title... well it's official we've completed the deal to purchase a full set of drums for our grade 2 band.
The search to replace our premier's began back when the grade 4 band was in Scotland... circa. 2008
I spent a large quantity of this trip listening to every single corp I could and trying to find the best snare sound to compliment our pipe tone.
I know this seems silly but I have to say drum tone can seriously detract from a good pipe sound. Even well tuned drums aren't always well suited to the overall band effect you're looking for.
I'm interested to hear how completely different SFU will sound with Andante's. I did question Field Marshall's decision to move to Premier. Not because of the instrument but the character of sound that band produced under the Pearl label.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.....
Except our drums started to break.
So after hunting around it all came down to fate.
Up here in the frozen Tundra... (it's currently plus 11 Celsius here in the peg BEAUTIFUL!!!) We don't always make as many contacts as we'd like.
So there we were a bunch of young punks, scared out of our wits, terrified of the massed bands in Maxville, Ontario. I think we collectively all knew maybe 3 people in that mass.
Out of nowhere up walks Jon Quigg to talk drumming.... pretty nice of him I'd say.
So, I commented on the sound of City of Washinton's drums. Crisp and clean very enjoyable to my ear. Not exactly what we're looking for but really close. Jon then introduces Ian and myself to Harry Meade who simply says... "email me".
So as soon as I got off the plane in August, you guessed it, email sent.
Harry is the son of Bob Meade, one of the world's top pipe band drum dealers. Bob is also one of the most helpful people you'll find in the pipe band world.
You can check these great guys out at www.bobmeade.com
After some negotiations, a band decision, some more shopping, we came to last week when I finally put a stamp on our order from Pearl.
I'm proud to say the big blue machine is going Pearl. I have played Pearl products all throughout my career as a percussionist and it's truly the quality control that has attracted me most.
I'm expecting delivery sometime in the new year.
Until then here's a small snap shot of what we're expecting...
I know, I get choked up too just looking at it.
Merry Christmas drum corp, your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by your fellow band members. Your reward is playing the top instrument, at the top contest.
Cheers,
Sean
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Elementary with dear Watson... and the Fisher!
Welcome back!
No I haven't gone crazy and started rambling about various literary works of art. The title of today's blog refers to one powerhouse weekend we spent with the grade 2 band, Jake Watson (Peel), and John Fisher (Spirit of Scotland).
What a great and educational experience!
Friday night Wes and I poured over material with these fellas getting into tunes, expression, and tempos. This set us up perfectly for the 9 am rehearsal saturday morning with the whole grade 2 band.
We were at the elmwood legion. In the basement. Not a big place but comfortable. John and I immediately took the drummers into the back room to start lighting into the music and I don't think I surfaced until 11:30.
Keep in mind this was the first weekend we've seen the whole band.
I walked out of a room with 8 sides in it to find about 21 or 22 pipers crammed around tables on the dancefloor of the legion. What a sight!
I've never played in a band this big, and I was starting to grow concerned about the logistics of controlling this many people. After lunch my worries were put to rest. Thirty people sat around the table and made the first rumblings of music together saturday afternoon. It was as clean and controlled as ever.
I think everyone was as worried about the size of this band as I was. It's very easy for one good joke or something to break it into a great party, we all get along so well. Everyone remained focused though. Then we made some noise.
Now, I've been to the big contests, I saw the Frasers play 30, I've seen corps of 12 and 25 pipers. But saturday we put a huge band together in 50 minutes. Tuned and ready. 21 pipers, we were missing a couple due to colds, 8 sides, 4 tenors, and 1 bass.
What a powerful sound.
It just kept getting better. What an energy to this band. I know Wes and I were so pleased.
It's kind of like a choose your own adventure book. At some point somewhere we chose to jump to a certain page, and here we are today. The little blue band on the prairies with a huge grade 2 band, a wonderful little grade 3 band, a brand spankin new Juvenile band, membership in the 70 to 80's, and years of memories with many more to come.
The grade 2 band is flourishing and I think it's the direction. We know where we're going and what our goals are. People respect that. It gives a purpose to tuesday nights.
We worked so hard this weekend almost everyone was sick tuesday! John led the drum corp and I on a rollercoaster ride to ensemble and exciting, emotional drumming. Jake gave the pipe corp a breathe of air, a new voice, and a wakeup call that we're all in it together, we're all growing together.
We're all going back to basics. Who cares what you can play if you can't hit an attack or nail a cut off? If the tuning slacks harmonies are a killer instead of a treat. We're focused again. Deadly focused.
It's going to be an incredible season. I can feel it. Together there's nothing that can stop us. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're miles ahead of last year. And let's face it, come January in Winnipeg, we might as well practice. It creates warmth.
Sean
No I haven't gone crazy and started rambling about various literary works of art. The title of today's blog refers to one powerhouse weekend we spent with the grade 2 band, Jake Watson (Peel), and John Fisher (Spirit of Scotland).
What a great and educational experience!
Friday night Wes and I poured over material with these fellas getting into tunes, expression, and tempos. This set us up perfectly for the 9 am rehearsal saturday morning with the whole grade 2 band.
We were at the elmwood legion. In the basement. Not a big place but comfortable. John and I immediately took the drummers into the back room to start lighting into the music and I don't think I surfaced until 11:30.
Keep in mind this was the first weekend we've seen the whole band.
I walked out of a room with 8 sides in it to find about 21 or 22 pipers crammed around tables on the dancefloor of the legion. What a sight!
I've never played in a band this big, and I was starting to grow concerned about the logistics of controlling this many people. After lunch my worries were put to rest. Thirty people sat around the table and made the first rumblings of music together saturday afternoon. It was as clean and controlled as ever.
I think everyone was as worried about the size of this band as I was. It's very easy for one good joke or something to break it into a great party, we all get along so well. Everyone remained focused though. Then we made some noise.
Now, I've been to the big contests, I saw the Frasers play 30, I've seen corps of 12 and 25 pipers. But saturday we put a huge band together in 50 minutes. Tuned and ready. 21 pipers, we were missing a couple due to colds, 8 sides, 4 tenors, and 1 bass.
What a powerful sound.
It just kept getting better. What an energy to this band. I know Wes and I were so pleased.
It's kind of like a choose your own adventure book. At some point somewhere we chose to jump to a certain page, and here we are today. The little blue band on the prairies with a huge grade 2 band, a wonderful little grade 3 band, a brand spankin new Juvenile band, membership in the 70 to 80's, and years of memories with many more to come.
The grade 2 band is flourishing and I think it's the direction. We know where we're going and what our goals are. People respect that. It gives a purpose to tuesday nights.
We worked so hard this weekend almost everyone was sick tuesday! John led the drum corp and I on a rollercoaster ride to ensemble and exciting, emotional drumming. Jake gave the pipe corp a breathe of air, a new voice, and a wakeup call that we're all in it together, we're all growing together.
We're all going back to basics. Who cares what you can play if you can't hit an attack or nail a cut off? If the tuning slacks harmonies are a killer instead of a treat. We're focused again. Deadly focused.
It's going to be an incredible season. I can feel it. Together there's nothing that can stop us. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're miles ahead of last year. And let's face it, come January in Winnipeg, we might as well practice. It creates warmth.
Sean
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Post Practice Update:
Happy Wednesday everybody!
I always feel a little torn about wednesdays. I have to come down from tuesday night practice, but I get to spend the night working on scores, practicing my solo's and teaching.
Good rehearsal last night. Seems like the cold season is upon us, we were missing a few bodies. Kinda cool though to be missing a few and still have a bigger band then last year or the years before.
We kicked through the medley as seperate sections. Having played the same medley for two years I forgot how many growing pains come with this.
I gotta say 6 minutes is one helluva hand cuff. It just seems like you have to cut things to make it, or take out a whole section and play really short. Kinda feels like you have to sacrifice musicality.
But those are the rules, so be it. Lots of negotiation over tunes etc, and it's almost together. Frame is done, important tunes are in. Now there's the sacrificial lamb approach and we'll see what happens.
Then we have our clinic this weekend which will get Jake and John listening in and giving some advice.
We got the instruments out and played together for the first time this season. I could tell right away we made some huge headway last year. The drum corp was tight on a lot of things just because of experience, I even got to step out and let Cam play lead while I listened to our new spey. That puts us about 4 months ahead of last season. Very exciting.
We played through the new MSR working some trouble parts and making sure ensemble worked.
It's a real blessing having Chris Brown back. My good buddy, and new snare drummer, Dave Chorney did a fabulous job last season filling in, but Chris embodies ensemble and it makes so many things simple for me and the band having that steady bass in there.
Small wonder he's won so many awards for best bass.
All in all a great tuesday night practice prepping for an even better weekend workshop. I can't wait to see the fly-in players, it doesn't feel like band without them.
Stay tuned, I'll probably take tomorrow off, to prepare for some interviews I hope to do, then I'll be back at it friday to outline the upcoming weekend and post grade 3 practice wrap up.
Cheers everyone and happy practicing.
Sean
I always feel a little torn about wednesdays. I have to come down from tuesday night practice, but I get to spend the night working on scores, practicing my solo's and teaching.
Good rehearsal last night. Seems like the cold season is upon us, we were missing a few bodies. Kinda cool though to be missing a few and still have a bigger band then last year or the years before.
We kicked through the medley as seperate sections. Having played the same medley for two years I forgot how many growing pains come with this.
I gotta say 6 minutes is one helluva hand cuff. It just seems like you have to cut things to make it, or take out a whole section and play really short. Kinda feels like you have to sacrifice musicality.
But those are the rules, so be it. Lots of negotiation over tunes etc, and it's almost together. Frame is done, important tunes are in. Now there's the sacrificial lamb approach and we'll see what happens.
Then we have our clinic this weekend which will get Jake and John listening in and giving some advice.
We got the instruments out and played together for the first time this season. I could tell right away we made some huge headway last year. The drum corp was tight on a lot of things just because of experience, I even got to step out and let Cam play lead while I listened to our new spey. That puts us about 4 months ahead of last season. Very exciting.
We played through the new MSR working some trouble parts and making sure ensemble worked.
It's a real blessing having Chris Brown back. My good buddy, and new snare drummer, Dave Chorney did a fabulous job last season filling in, but Chris embodies ensemble and it makes so many things simple for me and the band having that steady bass in there.
Small wonder he's won so many awards for best bass.
All in all a great tuesday night practice prepping for an even better weekend workshop. I can't wait to see the fly-in players, it doesn't feel like band without them.
Stay tuned, I'll probably take tomorrow off, to prepare for some interviews I hope to do, then I'll be back at it friday to outline the upcoming weekend and post grade 3 practice wrap up.
Cheers everyone and happy practicing.
Sean
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
World's Solo Drumming Competition
Happy Tuesday everybody, it's grade 2 band night so I'm in a go get 'em mood.
Wanted to do a brief report on the World Solo Drumming this weekend in Glasgow. Some pretty awesome results, and it's always an exciting weekend for us drummers.
The snare corp was watching intently as former member Dave Bowman crossed the pond again to compete against the very best. Dave played at the World's last year in a very tough qualifying class, and though he learned a lot didn't manage to get through to the semi's.
I was very pleased this year when, sitting at Famous Dave's Restaurant in Sioux Falls, my crackberry reported the days results and Dave had managed to move up the list a bit.
Still this year wasn't quite his year, missing the semi-finals by a few points, but I feel that progress is everything and Dave managed to move up to a 12th place finish in his qualifier beating out 5 other drummers. Well done!!!
The big story of course this year was current champion Barry Wilson (Scottish Power Pipe Band) winning his, count it, THIRD consecutive World Championship. An incredible feat.
I know when we were in Scotland last year we had the opportunity to watch Barry "jam" with Chris Armstrong at the Lord Todd drumming recital. That man can perform some gravity bending rudiments and always seems to remain musical. Small wonder he's our champion again this year.
Canadian Blair Brown (SFU) found his way into the top 6, finishing 4th overall. This is a great result and shows some of the depth SFU has in their corp with lead drummer Reid Maxwell landing 6th place. Gordon Lee also from SFU came in 8th overall. If one scrolls through the semi-finals you find the SFU name scatterred all over with Derek Cooper, Tano Martone, our own Dave Bowman, and many others competing.
Two other worthy notes are Steven McWhirter (Inverary and District) and Gordon J. Brown (Boghall and Bathgate) gaining 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively. Having Steven in the mix for the final must be like jumping in a muddy pool with an alligator, he can surface and bite you at any time and you won't even see it.
All in all a great contest. I'm really looking forward to the videos and audio of various plays to come out.
That's it for me today, I'll be back tomorrow with an update from tonight's practice.
Cheers
Sean
Wanted to do a brief report on the World Solo Drumming this weekend in Glasgow. Some pretty awesome results, and it's always an exciting weekend for us drummers.
The snare corp was watching intently as former member Dave Bowman crossed the pond again to compete against the very best. Dave played at the World's last year in a very tough qualifying class, and though he learned a lot didn't manage to get through to the semi's.
I was very pleased this year when, sitting at Famous Dave's Restaurant in Sioux Falls, my crackberry reported the days results and Dave had managed to move up the list a bit.
Still this year wasn't quite his year, missing the semi-finals by a few points, but I feel that progress is everything and Dave managed to move up to a 12th place finish in his qualifier beating out 5 other drummers. Well done!!!
The big story of course this year was current champion Barry Wilson (Scottish Power Pipe Band) winning his, count it, THIRD consecutive World Championship. An incredible feat.
I know when we were in Scotland last year we had the opportunity to watch Barry "jam" with Chris Armstrong at the Lord Todd drumming recital. That man can perform some gravity bending rudiments and always seems to remain musical. Small wonder he's our champion again this year.
Canadian Blair Brown (SFU) found his way into the top 6, finishing 4th overall. This is a great result and shows some of the depth SFU has in their corp with lead drummer Reid Maxwell landing 6th place. Gordon Lee also from SFU came in 8th overall. If one scrolls through the semi-finals you find the SFU name scatterred all over with Derek Cooper, Tano Martone, our own Dave Bowman, and many others competing.
Two other worthy notes are Steven McWhirter (Inverary and District) and Gordon J. Brown (Boghall and Bathgate) gaining 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively. Having Steven in the mix for the final must be like jumping in a muddy pool with an alligator, he can surface and bite you at any time and you won't even see it.
All in all a great contest. I'm really looking forward to the videos and audio of various plays to come out.
That's it for me today, I'll be back tomorrow with an update from tonight's practice.
Cheers
Sean
Monday, October 26, 2009
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
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