M S R's

Ok lets start a wee debate here!!

If you were a PM of a grade 4 band who wished to help his pipers progress to be better pipers e.g. competent of playing grade 3. What MSR would you chose to fit this purpose? Lets keep in mind that it couldnt be overly chalenging, but at the same time enjoyable for the band to play! Ill add my thoughts after a few others have posted. Then once wevev done this for the MSR Ill start another thread for the selection!!!

Marches - Australian Ladies, King George V's Army, Lady Lever Park or maybe the Balmoral Highlanders

Strathspeys - Dorrator Bridge, Capt. Colin Campbell

Reels - Windsor Castle, Lexie MacAskill, Castlebay, Kalabakan or maybe P/M Calum Campbell.....

Would pretty much go along wi Ron on his selection of M.S.R's wi the addition of PM Willie Grey's Farewell to the Glasgow Police and, Willie Cumming's Rant.

Ya thinkin' a startin' yer aine outfit John? Wats brought this on then ? ya run oota beer?........

Ron's got it pretty well sorted IMO

Would suggest Caledonian Canal as a stathspey, and McKay from Skye as a reel, preceded by Duncan McInnes as a march.


I know I'm stating the obvious, but a lot of it is going to depend on your standard of player, are they up and coming, or a 'last of the summer wine' type. (bit like me and Redneck)!!

Redneck wrote: Ya thinkin' a startin' yer aine outfit John? Wats brought this on then ? ya run oota beer?........

I don't know what brought this on, but I like it!! Keep 'em coming!!!

March: Mrs J. MacColl
Strathspey: The Pipers Bonnet
Reel: John Morrison of Assynt House

Gordy88 wrote:


I know I'm stating the obvious, but a lot of it is going to depend on your standard of player, are they up and coming, or a 'last of the summer wine' type. (bit like me and Redneck)!!

Speak fer yerself oul han'

Redneck wrote:

Gordy88 wrote:


I know I'm stating the obvious, but a lot of it is going to depend on your standard of player, are they up and coming, or a 'last of the summer wine' type. (bit like me and Redneck)!!

Speak fer yerself oul han'

who is Compo ???? whaes got the Ferrets

Piper Mac wrote:March: Mrs J. MacColl
Strathspey: The Pipers Bonnet
Reel: John Morrison of Assynt House

No disrespect meant here, but that set is more a solo piping set, not a pipe band grade 4 set.......

Piping Connections wrote:

Redneck wrote:

Gordy88 wrote:


I know I'm stating the obvious, but a lot of it is going to depend on your standard of player, are they up and coming, or a 'last of the summer wine' type. (bit like me and Redneck)!!

Speak fer yerself oul han'

who is Compo ???? whaes got the Ferrets

Hmmm, mere a Lurcher man maself m8

My Thoughts were

march Australians Ladies

S/pey Dornie Ferry or Struan Robertson

Reel Lachlan Macphail

Redneck your not far of mate in your guess!!!!!

Struan Robertson.....great one, but for a G4 pipe band?

Don't think he meant it as a competitive set Ron, more so to give them something more challenging.

Why you asking John, is there a reason?. Spill the beans m8.

Have to agree with Ron,

I reckon Struan would be a bit heavy, theres many a Grade 2 band have butchered that tune.

The third part is always awkward, especially when so many bands play it completely wrong, holding an 'E' that is on a weak idiom pulse

March and reel are grand choices though

I happen to adore Struan Robertson, one of my favourite tunes and one which I used to play in the solos.....but I don't get what the question is all about.....

The original post mentions that it is for a G4 band to play and not for solos....or something along these lines. As such, Struan Robertson would hardly be a tune for a G4 band to play.....to keep them interested....

Someone else mentioned Caledonian Canal........good call. That I would certainly agree with.

I previously mentioned Lady Lever Park....in fact I now wish I hadn't, as although it is a suitable 4 part 2/4 march for a G4 /G3 band to play, it is one of the most bloody awful tunes I have ever had to learn LOL Really bloody boring. Can I take the suggestion back?!?!

However Aussie Ladies and KG V's Army have a great swing to them and are frankly....tunes that everyoone should know.

I've been out of the scene for many years, but if you're looking for a significantly easier 4 parted 2/4 march with a good swing to it.........(much easier)......then Prince Charles' March to Lochaber might suit the purpose. Again, another tune that should be standard fare for all.

I didnt think Struan was that heavy compared with summit like Susan Macleod or Arniston CastleI had it on par with Dornie Ferry. As for the Caledonian Canal if it's down to personal taste I wouldnt include it sorry but it's the 1 s/pey I dont like! This selection is supposed to be an excercise to push the potential of an up and coming grade 4 band with its eyes set on grade 3. The selection would have a full calender year before it would be even considered if it was good enough to compete with. I was meaning in the question that each answer was in turn from the P/M of the fictional band so to speak. Just an excercise to see what the different tunes and reasons would be.

Fair points SWH,

I would suggest that if there was a grade 4 band, and all the pipers could 'progress' onto Struan, they would not be in grade 4 in the first place.

IMO, its much better to move up in measured steps, and to go from a MAP 2/4 march, or Jimmie Findlater etc to Struan is far too big a jump,

I believe its better to play a tune well, than play a difficult tune badly, factor in that it will be easier for judges to write you off, and you create more problems, as coming last every week is not the way to build a band.

I'm almost positive that when FMM came out of grade 2 into grade one, they played the Caledonian Canal in their MSR set.

As you say, its personal choice, and people will differ, but a good thread, that has got people thinking, and I look forward to the medley selection

cheers

Gordy88 wrote:Fair points SWH,

I would suggest that if there was a grade 4 band, and all the pipers could 'progress' onto Struan, they would not be in grade 4 in the first place.

IMO, its much better to move up in measured steps, and to go from a MAP 2/4 march, or Jimmie Findlater etc to Struan is far too big a jump,

I believe its better to play a tune well, than play a difficult tune badly, factor in that it will be easier for judges to write you off, and you create more problems, as coming last every week is not the way to build a band.

I'm almost positive that when FMM came out of grade 2 into grade one, they played the Caledonian Canal in their MSR set.

As you say, its personal choice, and people will differ, but a good thread, that has got people thinking, and I look forward to the medley selection

cheers

I cant disagree with what your saying, I think you are correct regards FMM. I might as well come clean here also!!!!! A good few years ago myself and a few friends formed the Clan Gregor! I then went to Denny and the main man went up to Aberdeenshire and that was that. The band then stared back up with different with different people at the helm. Again I have found myself embroilled with the same crew even though I play with the Burgh of Stirling there is another band on the horizon. I ran this thread as the others I will start just for comparisons as I believe that some of the material may be to technical. But it looks also as Ive under sold the members who are joining each week as Ive not been due to Burgh comitments! Theres hope once the band is registered with the RSPBA it will be grade 3 due to the players coming in!

The MSR
looks as if it will be
Hugh Kennedy
Susan Macleod
Fiona Macleod