RESPEC ?

[Maca]

Just joined this forum today. Been in bands for years and years, but more notably, I've been in different bands for years.

This is the first time and only time I get to pose this question, with so many people from different class and musical backgrounds formed in discussion.

Do pipe band folk have much respect for the music of other types of marching bands?

I've been in a senior flute, numerous melody flute, accordion, brass and grade 4 and 1 pipe bands, and no matter what band practice I've been at, the majority of folk around me don't seem to think that other styles of music are as technically accomplished as their own. Is this really the consensus of opinion out there?

Each have their own argument, but I feel privileged to have seen all points. Has anyone else?

[Jim Sloan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maca:
[
Do pipe band folk have much respect for the music of other types of marching bands?

------------

Welcome!

I would have respect for other marching bands if I ever took the time to think about them!

It's all about the pipes and pipe bands.

Our band did a parade for New Years and the Virginia Tech band was also in the parade.

A real pleasure to hear them up close in person.

Jim

[MacBubba]

Originally posted by Jim Sloan:
Our band did a parade for New Years and the Virginia Tech band was also in the parade.

A real pleasure to hear them up close in person.

Jim Which Virginia Tech band, the real one (which knows how to march) or the "Marching Virginians"? Hokies know what I mean.

HT-74. Unconvincing disparate points of ill-formed opinion accepted off-list, in order to not get kicked off the Forums. (My bias showing here? :smokin: )

[Jim Sloan]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacBubba:
[one (which knows how to march) or the "Marching Virginians"? Hokies know what I mean.

------------

Well, one of thier tunes was " The Hokie Poky".

Jim

[Maca]

Sorry.. maybe showing my ignorance here, but whats a Tech band? I've never heard of that before. Or is that short for 'college' marching band.... kinda the american version of our brass and reed bands?

cheers

maca

[Jim Sloan]

Hey Maca,,

Tech as in Virginia Technical School (University).

Jim

[Maca]

Aha.. I thought so. I was lucky enough to go down to Limerick in the south of Irland a couple of times and compete in the International band championships. There were loads of college bands there, huge in numbers, and were well sought out by the spectators.

But to illustrate my point from the converstation starter above, it seemed to me that people from other types of bands were talking on shoulders while watching these college bands and criticizing almost everything they did.

I can break it down like so...
Pipe band folk thought that non-pipe bands were playing instruments that were easier to learn than pipes, not as technical sounding, and the drumming was nowhere near as superior as their own style, and flute band drummers stick lifting (feathering) was stupid looking. Also thought that playing TV theme tunes for entertainment must have taken all of 5 minutes to reherse, as the tunes sound so silly and easy.

Military bandsmen (Brass & reed) felt that the pipes should never play the top note, as it always hurts the ear, nomatter how well its been tuned, and never sounds as dynamically equal as the other notes on the chanter. They also thought the music is easier as the last four beats of any line are almost identical throughout a tune, and every line gets repeated anyway. And the drummers were wasting their time playing all those beats, as they couldn't hear them all anyway unless they were looking at them directly. Also, it was a waste of time and money having a bass and tenor section if you couldn't hear them.

And the Flute band folk felt that nobody looked as disciplined and military like as they do. Felt they had more to do with a music arrangement as they've limited key ranges but still manage to have 2nd, 3rd and 4th parts.

All have points I guess... as for me, I thank God for diversity.

[DoogieG]

I used to love playing with the spit and blow brigade..doing tattoos etc..but if you are unlucky you end up next to a drummer..or a set of cymbals!!

[T. Seeley]

Respect, for "Spit and Dribble" bands?

You mean the ones with the sheet music attached to their instruments?

You mean the ones playing the Theme from The Friendly Giant (Canadians will get this one.)

You mean the people who were in "band" in school?

You mean the bands that play, what Col. Sherman T. Potter from MASH referred to as, "nazi music"?

Harharhar.

Pipes of war mate, all the way.

(just joking, no need to get your knickers in a knot. Long story short - friendly rivalry, and respect=yes)

[ScottB]

I've not personally played in any other kind of band, but I have 3 kids/step-kids in high school marching bands. I can tell you that the music they play is every bit as complicated and demanding as what we play. And no, they don't use sheet music when performing. Plus, we don't have to march around a field doing precise maneuvers without running into each other. I do know first hand how hard they practice and the hours they spend rehearsing. So, yeah, you could say that I have a lot of respect for what they do.

Scott

[Rick McFarlane]

Any piper marching amidst the USMC Band from Twentynine Palms has just got to admit a ton of respect for those guys and gals, I know I do. They rock!!!

"Duhn, duhn, dadada Duhn!"

[RevPipe]

My middle son is a trumpet major in a HS marching band and hopes to continue in college next year. They do not have sheet music attached to their instruments when they are marching. They have very complicated moves on the field. They practice as a team two hours every morning on weekdays from late July through November and perform every Friday night, plus competitions. Their execution musically and choreographically is superb and mesmerizing. The dedication these kids show to their art is to be commended, not mocked. Respect. Yes.

[Brian Erbe]

Actually it's Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Though I believe Virginia Tech is now an official name. The "real" band is the Corp of Cadets band, the Highty Tighties (don't laugh). VT (and Cadet)-93 (well would have been if I had graduated)

[Brian Erbe]

Oh, and yes most pipers/drummers I know certainly respect the other types of marching band music, whether we like it or not. I just wish we could dance like some of them. The tuba section at Tech always seemed to have a lot of fun. Great parties too.