NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume VI Number 3; September 2000

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A 'BAD CHANTER DAY'

Or is there? With all the weather changes last weekend I bet tuning was a bear at Pleasanton. We'll have some tips on keeping in tune from Black Part later this month!

Just in Sept. 7 - Stuart Liddell wins the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting

Following in the footsteps of grandfather Ronald McCallum (1951), Uncle Hugh (1967), and cousin Willie (1989), Stuart Liddell of Scottish Power PB won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in Inverness on Sept. 7. Known locally as the 'Margaritaville Piper' of the DRM two years back, Stuart shows great promise for the future with this important win.

Just got in Jim McGillivray's latest tour de force - the first in a series of instructional videos. EVERY begining piper (and many experienced ones) should be chained to a TV and force-fed what's on this tape, and the ones to (hopefully soon) follow. A wealth of information for everyone who aspires to play well - with humour and excellent production values thrown in. Even Jim's little smirk is infectious, This one is a winner.

Spent an enjoyable if exhausting weekend at the Pleasanton Games - saw many old friends - Len Wood, Jim Grant, Tina Berger, the three guys who came in both mornings and just kept buying stuff, John from DL Murray Designs, Colin and Caroline MacNab, Connel Bell, Andrea Hanskat (hope you like the jacket, kid!), Micki Lujan, Black Part himself - hell, damn near everybody was there! Had a great time and met new customers from all over - especially Hawaii! Many thanks to you all, and especially to Randy Goldman, Nick, and Sabrina.

We're introducing a new feature this year - 'Notes for the Sartorially Challenged.' At each games we attend, the photo gremlin will be with us, snapping the unaware and uninformed. Here's our first offering:

left - our resident Blue Meanie - hey, guys, accuracy is one thing, but I don't think they had acrylic in the first century; left center - 'Yeah, it's what we live for' - SHOULD this be a postcard?; right center - this isn't the 'Men in Tights' set - or is it?; right - if I see one more idiot in Squaw Boots and a kilt I'm going have Tony tie him to a stake and light a fire!

Sad to report that the MacLennan competition in San Diego is no more. We're working with several potential sponsors to keep the Angus MacDonald Memorial alive and well until it can really get on its feet. If you're interested in helping preserve this important competition, email us at pipey@netwiz.net. We'll have more on this as things develop.

BLACK PART SPEAKS:

THERE'S NO CRYING IN PIPING

I don't want to be the pot calling the kettle black, but it seems to me that a lot of bandsmen and bandswomen, as well as soloists are taking contests way to seriously. I did last year. Take it from me; it isn't worth it. We all work hard for our bands, and for ourselves to do well when we compete. If you win, GREAT! GOOD JOB! But, some of you, (myself included), are not going to win or place in the top three. Whatever you do DON'T take it personally. It's just a contest. You compete to have fun, not to prove anything to yourself or others. If you didn't do well, work harder; your efforts will be rewarded. Griping, complaining, sulking, are not going to improve your skills, or your band's skills at all; these activities are all counter-productive. Start with your self; make improvements there. All of the time you have for piping or drumming should be devoted to self-improvement. As you improve, so will your band. If your band isn't, and you want to continue performing with a band, find a band that suits your needs. And remember, it is no sin NOT to play with a band if that's what you prefer.

In closing, let me say that some out there think of piping and drumming as a HOBBY. These ARTS are NOT hobbies. They are highly skilled Arts, performed by ARTISANS. These ARTS are for everyone. Enjoy them. Don't take what happens in the contests personnally. Everyone enjoys and appreciates your contributions to these arts no matter how great, or how small.

John Eric Partanen Ph.D.

Note: The opinions expressed by Black Part in his monthly column are HIS and HIS alone. The fact that the management of Cuillinn Craft wholeheartedly endorse his position is entirely coincidental!

until next month....