I sometimes hear pipers attempting to “catch up” after having fallen behind the established tempo of the tune. Hint…YOU CAN”T CATCH UP (without making a mess of things)!

What is the appropriate tempo? A march played at 70 beats-per-minute may sound slow and lifeless. The same march played at 90 beats-per-minute may sound frantic and out-of-control. It’s important to fit the tempo to the tune and to the venue.

A solo piper has considerable flexibility regarding tempo. Playing solo allows the piper to pick a tempo that is best suited for their abilities and the music they’re playing. Tunes are often played at a slower tempo than what we’ll hear from competition bands or bands on parade. This allows the solo piper to introduce nuances to phrasing that are often absent in band performances.

Many of you have played with The Chieftains or other Celtic music musicians in various venues. Tempos are spirited and may take pipers out of their comfort zone. Pipers sometimes struggle to include all the embellishments to the detriment the target tempo. Pipers sometimes lag behind and pull down the tempo, compromising the overall musical performance.

Bagpipe music on parade is played somewhere between 84 and 88 beats-per-minute. It is critical that both pipers and drummers practice with a metronome to “lock in” in performance tempos. Without the metronome, there is a great deal of confusion and inconsistency. Individual pipers and drummers may lag behind or rush ahead completely distorting the melody and causing disruption throughout the band.

If you want to make a meaningful New Year resolution, buy a good metronome and use is always.

Oh, the picture today. Stay tuned!