Solo or Band Tune?

[Bill Adam]

Last week at piping school, we were working on the Men of Argyll in one of the classes. This was being used to teach phrasing, etc.

Later I made the comment to someone about the possibility of using that tune in solo competition. He mentioned that the Men of Argyll was a band tune and not a solo tune. When I asked what's the difference, he said that was what someone else told him.

Other that the obvious, like the typical massed band tunes, etc., is there a criteria some use to classify a tune as a band tune or solo tune? I have never heard of such a thing and pick my solo tunes on the recommndation of an instructor or if I like the tune or not and it is something I'd would enjoy working on.

What are you opinions on this, solo tune or band tune and if you think there are two different classes of tunes, what criteria do you use?

Bill

[Scott Foster]

I Havn't heard anything like that before...I would say Men of Argyll is very suitable for solo contests

[sl8er]

I have no idea whatthey meant by saying that. Although I have played Men Of Argyll with a band.

Sounds like this guy didn't know what he was talking about anyway.

[phinson]

I used Men of Argyll in solo march contests several years ago and never got a comment that it was a band tune. You can play anything you like within the limits of the tune requirement of "4 parted 2/4 march minimum". The only constraint would be in playing something appropriate to the grade level. For example people in grade 1 would not submit Captain Norman Orr Ewing.

"He mentioned that the Men of Argyll was a band tune and not a solo tune."

I did get a comment similar to this in a jig contest once when I submitted Glasgow Police Pipers.

Paul Hinson

[pipingguy]

when I compete solo with marches, I look for a tune that has a lot of potential for putting expression, and good execution into it...For example: The Argyllshire Gathering, The Clan MacColl, tunes like that...

[Lyle Walker]

Generally speaking, you don't want to compete solo with a tune that your band plays. The way that the band expresses the tune and the way a soloist would are usually very different. Hence, the advice to newer pipers not to compete with a band tune. In this case, I would suggest somebody didn't understand the reasoning behind the statement and is speaking with authority from a position of ignorance.
cheers,
ljw

[Bob Boyd]

Piping is muscle mem0ry. Your fingers repeat the same movements, as best as possible, that you have practiced over and over. Our band plays 2/4 marches very differently than one would play them in a solo contest. I have found that my brain is not big enough to remember 2 different settings of the same tune and more importantly to know when to play which one. So I play different music for solo than what we play in the band so I don't get confused.

[Bill Adam]

I agraee with not playing the band tunes in competition. This comment was the fact that this particular tune is thought of as a band tune. He couldn't say why but was just quoting from some other "authority"

I agree with James in looking for a tune with the potential for expression, execution, etc. Also, it has to be a tune I like enough to spend a year working on and competing with.

Thanks for your comments.
Bill

[EquusRacer]

Bill: Good question. And I confess that I've used a similar phrase when selecting a tune for the band.

But this is an extremely subjective judgment; and, while I defend the notion that some tunes (to me) come off better in solo hands than as a band tune, I also factor in many elements to keep that thought in context.

For instance, what band? I've played in bands that could handle any tune, regardless of how I--or others--may perceive it. But in that subjective judgment and statement, my perception relates a bit to what James indicated.

Arguable or not (and I suspect it's arguable), when I see/hear a tune which, to me, allows for a considerable amount of individual expression and/or possesses elements which are going to make for more challenges in unison-- with the band for whom I'm choosing --I tend, off hand, to refer to that tune as more suitable for solo.

I don't know about "Men of Argyll"; but I'm guilty of making the "solo vs. band" comment.

[Bill Adam]

Equus

In the context that you present, that statement solo vs band tune makes sense. Thanks for your input.

Bill

[Richard Strayer]

Originally posted by Bill Adam:
What are you opinions on this, solo tune or band tune and if you think there are two different classes of tunes, what criteria do you use?

Bill "Men of Argyll" is indeed a band tune. If you're looking for a solo tune, you should play "Man of Argyll" instead. :wink:

[Bill Adam]

Well, in that case, Man of Argyll it is.

You made a good point Richard. :thumb:

[MrErin]

With regard to "Men of Argyll" specifically, I've played it for the past two years in Grade 3 and have consistantly received extremely positive comments from judges on selecting it. I think it's a great solo tune, and I know many who agree.
The fact that I play it well doesn't hurt either. :wink:

[Rory McKeown]

While competing last year, the judge commented to me that I was playing my march at 'band speed", and that I should be playing it at solo speed! After discussing the remark with my teacher, I slowed the tune down a hair, and started getting better marks during competition, not to mention enjoying myself alot more.

[Christoph Kresse]

Originally posted by Bill Adam:
Last week at piping school, we were working on the Men of Argyll in one of the classes. This was being used to teach phrasing, etc.

Later I made the comment to someone about the possibility of using that tune in solo competition. He mentioned that the Men of Argyll was a band tune and not a solo tune. When I asked what's the difference, he said that was what someone else told him.

Other that the obvious, like the typical massed band tunes, etc., is there a criteria some use to classify a tune as a band tune or solo tune? I have never heard of such a thing and pick my solo tunes on the recommndation of an instructor or if I like the tune or not and it is something I'd would enjoy working on.

What are you opinions on this, solo tune or band tune and if you think there are two different classes of tunes, what criteria do you use?

Bill I guess you just can do whatever you like. Everything you play in a band can also be played solo, do not see really a reason here why not.
CK