Day One: Finding the Scotland Sound


Looking forward to North Berwick tomorrow, and band members are focussed on playing well. Above photo is was taken a few minutes ago in one of the common kitchen areas at the dorm where we are styaing. In the background is the trophy from North Berwick last year.

Practice today was a shock to everyone's jet-lagged system. Pipes are harder when you first get here. The mositure opens up the reeds, and the system expands with moisture. The good news is that the sound is ultimately better, too. Bagpipes and humidity are a good match, to a point. New drum heads contribute to an overall Day One struggle as we try to turn around the band sound in a new climate, and with some new reeds and heads.


In the dorm, 10:20 p.m., there is the sound of practice chanters and pads here and there, some smallpipes in the 2nd floor kitchen, and an iPod boom box in the first floor kitchen playing tunes of a more mainstream variety. Some have gone to bed, and some are ironing shirts and cleaning shoes. Living in the dorms, we get to experience each other's culinary flirtations. Here's one I thought I'd share.

Bus comes at 9:00 a.m.tomorrow, and we'll try to post when we return.