We’ve covered quite a bit of ground in a short period of time. Today is a good time to take a breath before we forge ahead. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve focused on increasing both our understanding and discipline. Let me elaborate.

We’ve peeled back a few layers to expose the essence of the instrument and its music. The sound we produce is the foundation of the music. Outstanding fingers do no compensate for a bad sounding bagpipe. We also talked about understanding staff notation. What do all those dots and lines really mean? How do they line up in relations to “the beat” and to each other? How do you convert math into music?

We’ve talked about the discipline of playing notes precisely where they belong and the proper use of a metronome. We talked about pulling a specific phrase out of a tune, practicing it over and over to perfection, and then knitting it back into the tune. We talked about the many repetitions that are necessary to cement this into memory and into your fingers.

None of this is easy, however it’s easier than doing things incorrectly and then trying to fix it. It’s better than following methodology that produces an imperfect product and then passing this on to the next generation of pipers.

I want to speak briefly on the competition scene in the world of bagpipes. Motivation comes in many forms. Our competitive nature is part of what motivates us. This isn’t a bad thing however it must be kept in perspective. “Winning” is a consequence of doing things correctly. As a competitor and Pipe Major of several bands, I never focused on winning. Instead I focused on our “personal and collective best”. I understood the reality of each band and our personnel. It was more important to me that we play up to our potential than to simply win a contest. The judges are there to render an opinion. That’s all. When you work with people week in and week out you get to know them intimately through their playing and through their personalities. Just to cram a few more potatoes into the bag, each day we are planting seeds. What we do today plays a huge role in what we’ll have tomorrow.

Having the right mindset makes all the difference. The more you do what you do, the more you’ll get what you’re getting. If you want to change what you’re getting, you may need to change what you’re doing. It all starts with a spark.

Have a great day and I hope you’re getting something good from these posts. I appreciate the input and feedback. By the way, click here for more words on today’s picture.