We’re going to get back on track soon, but I need to take a break and explain a couple of things. The Average Piper was created for you. I’ll try to respond to your specific wishes however I also need to remain faithful to the original goal and template. These short blog-posts are intended to provide insight and methods that will help you in the overall journey. You need to rip them apart, apply the lessons where you’re able to, and ask questions when you need to.
Right now, we’re five months out from St. Patrick’s Day. Many of you will be doing parades and pub crawls and other events. I’d like to focus as much as possible on the tunes you’ll be playing and how best to prepare for that day.
I heard back from one piper that band practices are mostly “Let’s run through this tune.” Yes, you need to visit tunes regularly to keep them in your head and in your hands, but “running through a tune” may not necessarily be helpful. You may be practicing things incorrectly and “baking-in” all sorts of issues.
A typical practice (every practice) should be centered around a metronome. I have a Korg KDM-2 that puts out a pretty loud “click” and is suitable for practice chanters. You can boost the sound with a speaker. If you’re holding chanter practice without a metronome, you’re doing more harm than good. Strong words, but a fact. I also like to bring the drummers in at some point. Set the metronome at the desired tempo and have the PM call out “Ready, 1, 2.” roll, roll, roll, pause. roll, roll, roll. The rolls must be in line with the click of the metronome. This is the tempo for the tune. It doesn’t change. No rushing. Every note is placed exactly where it’s supposed to land, relative to the “click” of the metronome. Some notes will land right on the click. Some will be at the half-way point between the clicks. Other’s will be at the “half-again” point, and so on. As you understand and practice this, you’ll begin to produce a proper melody.
Learn to use the metronome effectively. Listen to the metronome. If you’re tapping your foot, you’ll tap your foot to your fingers and defeat the purpose. Stop tapping your foot! Listen to the metronome.
Move the tempo around. Slow it down to “painfully slow” and make sure all the notes land where they’re supposed to. Double-time it. (I’ll show you that later) Then bring it back up to the desired tempo. The foundation of music is math. Once you’ve mastered that, you can introduce rhythmic pulses, phrasing, and other nuances to create the finished product. It takes hours of constructive and disciplined practice to stand at the threshold of being a musician.
A huge issue with Average Bands is that pipers are worried about being left behind…so they rush. This contaminates the band. Stop it! Learn how to use a metronome effectively and insist that everyone in the band do likewise.
We’re going to bear down on this over the next several weeks and learn how to use a metronome effectively to improve your personal playing and how to improve the band. If you don’t have a metronome, get a good one or download an app. Either way, get one and use it! I’ll show you more tomorrow.
