Like many things in life; taking time to reflect regularly is necessary. In the following I try to note down, what has been is is important to me in regards to drumming in pipe bands.

Although titles and competition results are easy to list, and often what people look at when reviewing your resume, that has never been the most important factor in my drumming life. That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed the competitions and all the trips and rehersals that come along with that. However, the most important drivers for me has always been the enjoyment of the music, the feeling of; when everybody is working together in the same direction towards the same target, and the friendship and good times shared with my fellow musicians. Those are the same sustainable reasons that I’m still drumming today, even though it’s not in a grade 1 band at the worlds finals or in a big concert hall.

My latest most enjoyable performance was with a grade 4b parade band at a city music festival in Denmark. What a joy marching onto the stage playing great music. The pipes were well tuned, the tempos were great, everything was in control, weather conditions were perfect; bright sunshine with few clouds, and a lot of happy people in the crowd.

Some of my greatest experiences has been; drumming all day (and night) long with friends and instructors at summer schools, rehersing with drum corps and bands towards important performances, writing, arranging and teaching drum scores and being away on pipe band trips.

Over the years I’ve heard many individual reasons for why people are in a pipe band – all very valid, but of course also very different. Some examples are;

I play to win the World Pipe Band Championship in grade 1.

I play to win the gold medal in solo piping.

I play all the time, because I can’t not play.

I play in a pipe band, because my family is there as well.

I’m in a pipe band to be part of the big gigs and the whole pipe band family.

I’m in a pipe band because of my Scottish heritage.

I’m in a pipe band because I like the uniforms and the whisky.

I’m in it for the parties.

Therefore my best advices to any drummer/piper are:

• Figure out what your true goals with pipe band drumming/piping are. Why are you doing this? This will help you determine which direction you should be going. This is something I continuously consider, and it has helped me narrow down the sustainable reasons I navigate by (the enjoyment of the music, the feeling of; when everybody is working together in the same direction towards the same target, and the friendship and good times shared with my fellow musicians). Writing words on a piece of paper is a very good start. The good thing is that, nothing is a wrong reason – there are no wrong goals. It’s down to your own choice.
• Use those goals and reasons as your compass for where you’re going. It will probably and most likely lead to questions such as: Am I playing the right instrument? Am I the right band? Do I surround myself with people with the same goals and reasons?
• Determining the above stated points and questions will ultimately lead to a more satisfied journey for you in your pipe band adventure. Play with like minded musicians, at somewhat the same level as you, and play with musicians with similar goals as you. Don’t be afraid of changing path or direction.