Tunes...Solo or Band

I occasionally hear some of you say that a tune is a Solo tune not a band tune. So what makes a good band tune as opposed to a solo Piper tune?

Heard that phrase a lot, but IMO any good tune can be used for either band or solo.
Sometimes I've wondered where this statement came from.........maybe from someone who's band wasn't capable of playing the tune in question.

Good playing bands can put across any type of tune. IMO styles 'n tempo may vary, but the tune is the same.

Agreed Iain,

One thing I think has a bearing is fashion,

Many people in the Pipe band world are copycats, they hear Gordon Walker playing a 2/4, and assume it is a solo piece, they hear FM playing a 2/4 and assume its a band piece.

eg, Donald Cameron, recognised as a classic band march,, i'm not sure how often it gets played at solos, but not often IMO.

However, it is often used in drumming solos, Bobby Rea and Andy Scullion both won the world drumming solos playing it.

If Gordon Walker were to play it this season, you would find a lot of solo guys playing it too.

I agree that any tune can be played in either discipline, but its a different style, and as band playing and solo playing are two differing styles, it takes a very good playing to excel at both, and IMO, that breed of piper is increasing in numbers

Take a band tempo and style to the stage, and you won't need a very big china cabinet!

good question Janelle

Yes m8, very good point.

Gordy88 wrote:Take a band tempo and style to the stage, and you won't need a very big china cabinet!

Maybe so, but it would be a lot more entertaining.
I still believe that solo competitors put more emphasis on technical correctness to the detriment of the music. If solo players were to upt their tempo and make the music "swing" WITHOUT neglecting the technically correct embellishments, then solo competitions could become more interesting to me personally.

stormy wrote:

Gordy88 wrote:Take a band tempo and style to the stage, and you won't need a very big china cabinet!

Maybe so, but it would be a lot more entertaining.
I still believe that solo competitors put more emphasis on technical correctness to the detriment of the music. If solo players were to upt their tempo and make the music "swing" WITHOUT neglecting the technically correct embellishments, then solo competitions could become more interesting to me personally.

Couldn't agree more.