How Can I Make a Difference?
Today was, for me, the most enjoyable band practice in a long time. Started with me not having half the gear I needed, but thankfully....not a long haul to get home. Although it made my arm hurt, I loved playing pipes that long at this time of year. And, I loved the fact that there were drummers up on drums, too. Nice work.

I spoke [at length, some might say] today to the pipers about the need to have the pipes going well. Good band performances are all about sound. That was re-impressed on me when I read the final installment of the Pipes|Drums interview with Richard Parkes. If you haven't read this, you should. In fact, if you don't have a subscription to Pipes|Drums, you should. Richard Parkes is brilliant, and his comments on bands, FMM in particular, and the scene in general, are very interesting.

And that leads me to this: if you are the kind of person who likes to make a difference in an organization, who likes to contribute to the band's success, then there is one simple thing you can do: practice. I know that many of you are, and do, and I also know that we have a few "coasters"...the folks who don't really get excited until the air tickets are purchased, or until the concert is a week or so away. Not good enough.

For the band to have settled, great sound, we need each piper to have that. Find your sound. Play. Make the reeds go. Find what works best. Get comfortable. Seek help. Come with a sound. For the drum corps to have a groovy feel going, we need each of the players to have that. Learn the scores. Make them yours. Develop the style, get the feel, hum the tunes. Groove.

All of this can be done at home. You have sheet music, recordings, good instruments and reeds. Be a musician. Record yourself. Be critical. Develop. Improve. Motivate others with your zest for doing it well.

All of that comes back to rest on the band, and who knows: maybe one day you'll get the chance to play with Richard Parkes.