Mace Chain -- Again!

[No, that's me over there...]

I have done my first parade as DMaj... NO training leading up to the parade (it is forthcoming) but the PM and I thought we'd give it a go and see what happens...
My voice cracked during my orders, my sash was the wrong colour, and on the wrong shoulder. One of the pipers asked me what I had against the second part of one tune -- THREE times I cut it off in the wrong spot -- my collar dogs were on wrong, AND the bloody chain on my mace broke before I hit the street, so I did the whole parade holding it in my pinkie, and trying not to let it slip down the shaft and drag on the street.

Also, some pr**k tried to "upkilt" our PM with a phone cam (it got stepped on somehow...) AND I dismissed the band from the "at ease" instead of bringing them back to attention...
But on the positive side, it means I have made nearly EVERY mistake I possibly could have, and know what to look for next time!

So... Mace Chain. I am not switching to cord, chain is the proper material for a mace, as far as I am concerned, and I am not competing, so I can live with the 'feel'... BUT the balance point of my mace is below the collar, so I have to grip the chain. Not a problem, the mace fits my hand well, but I would like to know what you do to keep your chains from getting pulled?

[Colonel644]

Sounds like you had a better time of it than others first time out. Good Job!!!! Keep with it.

[W. F. Morrison]

To keep the chain from getting pulled, or breaking, and to keep my hand from getting cut, I belong to the take the chain off crowd.

Warren Morrison, DM/Principal Bass Drummer/President, Loch Norman Pipe Band, Huntersville NC

[Phil Lenihan]

Congrats... You have to start someplace.

Check out Mace chain (http://www.bobdunsire.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000083#000000) See picture in the last post at mace (http://www.bobdunsire.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000082#000001)

I have about 25 yards of that cord if you need any.

Cheers! PHIL

[No, that's me over there...]

Thanks Phil... good to hear from you.
I don't think at this juncture that I will be doing much spinning, and it has been very highly suggested that I keep the chain on the mace, for traditional and aesthetic reasons.
The balance point is below the chain collar, so obviously one HAS to grip the chain... but I am now wondering if anyone has lowered the chain collar below the point of balance? this would accommodate the traditionalists, while freeing the chain from stress, and keeping the hands clear...
Any thoughts on this as an option?

[W. F. Morrison]

As the mace has a greater diameter the further toward the crown, to lower the mace coller you would have to reduce the diameter of the mace collar. Sounds like too much work to me.

But, again, I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to the mace chain. I take mine off.
Warren Morrison, DM
Loch Norman Pipe Band, Huntersville NC

[Phil Lenihan]

I am not really sure if anybody would notice if it was chain or cord. If you look at my cord wrapped mace picture you will see the darkness on the mace below the collor at the balance point from gripping the mace. I think you will be a lot more comfortable without the chain. IMHO.

Cheers! PHIL

[No, that's me over there...]

Now that I have handled it a bit more I am beginning to see the light, as it were.
Having chain roll over the back of my hand during spins is probably not something to get used to easily.
I'll see how this chain holds up (replacement mace after the first chains went south) and make a decision later.

Thanks for the input!

[Colonel644]

If your seeing the light, then you have hit yourself in the head. Don't go to it, fight it. Tell the Lord you were just practicing.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[KiltedCowboy]

My parade band's new DM a couple years ago went straight when the parade turned left.

We followed the PM and turned left leaving him on his own scrambling to get back in front. :lol:

Have fun!
-Steve

[Colonel644]

That happened to me the first time I led my current band at a highland game comp. I now have a T-shirt that says "Drum Major" on the front and FOLLOW ME!!! on the back.
:lol: