Strategy for Marching for Bagpipe Competitors (4K)

[@charlesmartin1079]

This is what I've done for decades now. It has really helped both myself and students.

[@jesseburnette6028]

Really good process outlined here. I wish I had it years ago. It took me ages to figure it out. An easy way to make a start on matching note to foot is to simply write L,R,L,R on the music. When on the PC, tap the corresponding foot to the note. This is what Jack Lee teaches too, get away from a single foot tap in marching tunes. Then progressively do it on the pipes-mark time playing (maybe with drones corked) then start marching about. If you know what notes go on what foot you’ll never be out of step and generally stay in time I’ve found. But don’t get discouraged. It’ll eventually click.

[@davehogan1716]

Matt , any chance you could do a real march for a 4/4, (STB)? I get what you’re saying around the 9:00 mark but would love to see it with the real actual march

[@CASHNG]

thanks matt helped me this helped me alot

[@GayleS28]

Thanks Matt, but I'm still at the stage of marching and playing at the same time! When I think about where my feet are, I muck up the tune and vice versa - work in progress - who'd of thought walking and playing would be so challenging 😁

[@DavidRCelebrezze]

A few more tips. If competing outside, after you introduce yourself to the judge tell them you are going to walk where you will march to check for any divots in the ground. I knew a piper who almost fell over because there was a divot in the grass. The other tip is stand marching in place for the first part, march during the repeat. Do the same for the second part.

[@jmfogelman]

I always visualize that I’m starting with the judge to my left (drone side) and always turn towards the judge. Judge will always be drone side on the first time through a part, non-drone side the second time. That makes it so that on the second time through the last part, I can march halfway across to stop in front of the judge, turn toward them and finish the tune facing the judge.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I used to do that myself (turn towards the judge) until I was scolded at by a judge (and a respected name in the community that I won't mention here) for not always turning right. After that, I've always turned right (or at least try to) and no one else ever said a word. C'est la vie.

[@jmfogelman]

@@MattWillisBagpiper interesting. I was told to not turn my back to the judge, so that’s why I came up with my method 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@bryantsmith3372]

I competed in grade 5 this year first time.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Congrats!

[@bryantsmith3372]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you, I am planning on competing every single year if I am able to.

[@danielbutler56]

Is marching required for piobaireache tunes?

[@ericfreyssinet2537]

In piobaireachd,we march , but not in rythme,it is a slow motion,not regular,we may stop by moment and go on later.there is no strict rules for that its a mater of feeling according to your playing.we may even play and dont march at all !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

What Eric said!

[@michaelkazmierskidunn7189]

Have you ever dealt with blind pipers before? I'm blind for example and I just never march. But this might be a Midwest thing. You can't use a white cane AND play the pipes at the same time, nor will a guide dog work. LOL.

[@Kingtrollface259]

you can train your ear to follow the music and the troops when not playing ,there's always a way ,we'll done for sticking to it by the way ,not everyone has that in them

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I have taught several blind pipers over the years, but none had interest in pursuing competitive piping, so I don't know what would need to be done to facilitate marching. Wish I could be more helpful.

[@michaelkazmierskidunn7189]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks, I really appreciate your reply!!!! It's actually a dream goal of mine to slowly start teaching pipes for a full-time living, and since I compete in grade 2 I always had the ambition to ask you about what it took for you to end up where you are now. But perhaps that might be left to just solo conversations LOL. Last time I tried texting you I think you might have gone under the impression that my Facebook account got hacked. Since January 2022 it's been settled.