|
 |
|
|
COMMENT(S): The Five Deadly Sins of a Pipe Band Drum Corps
Published: May 04, 2011
Author: Lawrie | (report inappropriate content) |
| It's a very good presentation of common sense, but there's nothing in this article that a sensible person wouldn't have already thought, said, argued etc.......and then been howled down by the egomaniacs.
|
Published: April 25, 2011
Author: MikeCole | (report inappropriate content) |
| A thought-provoking and excellent piece by a seasoned pro. The mention of drummers as time keepers and/or their “role” usually raises hackles. It shouldn’t. In the real world of studio and show drummers the folks who are steadily employed understand the simple concept...the song is the focus, not their ability to lay in prodigious chop-heavy fills. Greg nails it down here. Time and groove are not mutually exclusive. If you’re not keeping good time, the groove simply won’t be there. Many drum corps, albeit pipe bands, do not adhere to this fundamental principle. Most of the pitfalls can be avoided through collaboration and direction between the the pipe major and leading drummer from the early stages all the way through the final performance. Number 4, or “...all about them.” holds true for all. Why then is it “particularly true” for some bass sections? Are some, as Orwell wrote, “more equal than others”? It’s not my intent to stage a hijacking, but I feel the need as one of ‘the bass drummers’ to take a swing at that one. The ongoing debate over the topic of judges for mid-sections has been heated/”hottish” at times. In some instances the topic is reframed as an ‘us against them’ scenario, or as a ploy by bass and tenor drummers to grab the spotlight. I disagree with any notion of distinctly separate sections within a drum corps. In terms of tonality, pitch, timbre, and visual effect, there are distinct ‘differences’. However, we are all an integral part of the whole and should always be striving towards the same goal -(Number One)- enhancing the band ensemble. The fundamental idea behind the “movement”, as some call it, is to address many of the issues that are presented in this article. There is a need for consistent and clear adjudicator feedback for all elements of the drum section on the day....the kind of specific feedback that is evident in this article. I believe once that starts to happen across-the-board, fewer bands will succumb to the deadly sins that Greg has so brilliantly outlined here. |
Published: April 24, 2011
Author: Donald | (report inappropriate content) |
| Indeed, perhaps point three is very much aimed at a certain person / movement? It's a band after all, regardless of how much much buttock-clenching flourishing you do in a seven minute stretch. |
Published: April 23, 2011
Author: MichaelGrey | (report inappropriate content) |
| Greg presented a compelling presentation on the day and so glad it's here now for all. This is outstanding insight and reminder for all. It's clear, reading through now, there's a further potential complication/sin (see number three) should we seek to further sub-divide the drum section and make two "judgeable" drum sections: snares and tenor/bass, or "mid". I know this is a hottish topic; especially amongst some bass and tenor drummers. I suggest we'd sort out issues related to Greg's number 3 - if not the whole list -if we only had ensemble judges (my personal aspiration). A band's a band for a' that. | |
| |
|
|
|
