Why Don't Drummers March in Solos?

[macdaddy65]

Just curious: Why don't drummers have to march when they play in solo competition? Pipers have to when they compete in Grades III and above...why not drummers? Of course, the piper wouldn't have to march while playing for the drummer, but shouldn't a drummer in solo competition have that added complication?

[Drumr66]

Because the greater challenge for most drummers is to stand still?

But seriously, folks...I think this is a regional thing. The MWPBA rules say specifically that "A solo competitor need not march while competing in any solo event." Further afield, I'm not sure the last time I saw a solo piper marching to the light music, but then I've been out of competition for some long while.

[Pete Walen]

If the drummer is moving about, how will the games committee be certain the boards are level?

Yeah, very regional. When I was playing solos, lo those many years ago, judges for solo drum contests had their own preferences that varied from individual to individual. The question I normally look at is where do the judges place the drumming soloists? Some like hearing the drum sound "out the bottom" while others want to see technique in play.

Tenor and bass soloists have their own challenge with optimum sound/tone for the instrument, technique, etc.,

[chrisyln]

The pipers have to move because its harder to hit a moving target

[CalumII]

Performance practice. Meaning, there is no good reason orchestras wear black bowties, bands wear ghillie brogues, rock bands sling their guitars low down, other than tradition, which may or may not have arisen for good reasons, but nonetheless arose, and persist, because artistic performance has to take place within some sort of understood bounds.

[DNorwood]

Seems it would be very subjective as each would

" march to the beat of a different drum".


You're very welcome.

Originally Posted by macdaddy65

Just curious: Why don't drummers have to march when they play in solo competition?

[EquusRacer]

Would judges tend to prefer watching the drum head, sticking, technique, etc. more closely than having the soloist moving back and forth and away, at times?

[Pete Walen]

Originally Posted by EquusRacer

Would judges tend to prefer watching the drum head, sticking, technique, etc. more closely than having the soloist moving back and forth and away, at times?

In my experience, generally "yes."

[Dan Bell]

The better question is why ANYONE should have to march during a competition.

Plenty of orchestral instruments are also used in marching bands, but nobody expects clarinetists to march around the room then they audition for an orchestra. If we care about the music, forcing pipers to march because it's "tradition," is asinine.

[EquusRacer]

Originally Posted by Dan Bell

The better question is why ANYONE should have to march during a competition.

Plenty of orchestral instruments are also used in marching bands, but nobody expects clarinetists to march around the room then they audition for an orchestra. If we care about the music, forcing pipers to march because it's "tradition," is asinine.

I think for solo pipers, it's a sort of added skill set...or perhaps just one more hurdle. Perhaps it's not fair; perhaps it is...but I've seen many a piper come apart when they march to their solo...err...marches.